Subway and Train Accident

Published on: January 20, 2026

New York Law Journal Reveals Key Trial Strategy Behind $182 Million Metro-North Settlement

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A newly published article in the New York Law Journal sheds further light on the more than $182 million settlement reached in litigation arising from the deadliest crash in Metro-North Railroad history — a case tried on behalf of approximately 30 plaintiffs by Ben Rubinowitz and Richard Steigman of the New York Personal Injury Law Firm of Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf.

The settlement, benefiting families of five passengers killed and dozens of others injured, stems from the February 3, 2015 Metro-North collision at the Commerce Street crossing in Valhalla, Westchester County. Rubinowitz said that the individual settlements are confidential.

According to the New York Law Journal, Rubinowitz led the liability trial to ensure consistent verdicts across plaintiffs represented by multiple firms. The trial strategy centered on two critical failures: the train engineer’s decision not to slow despite uncertainty at the crossing, and a uniquely dangerous third rail design that turned the crash into an inferno-like event.

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Published on: August 4, 2025

Newport PATH Station Train Fire: What Commuters and Injured Passengers Should Know

By GGCRBHS&M

This morning, at approximately 6:19–6:20 a.m., a fire ignited under an eastbound PATH train at the Newport Station in Jersey City. The blaze spewed thick smoke into the train car and station, prompting a rapid evacuation onto the platform. Local fire and PATH crews responded promptly as video footage captured flames shooting from beneath the train and visible panic among passengers trapped by closed doors.

Thirteen people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation; nine were transported to hospitals for further evaluation . Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.

Service Impact
Service was suspended for several major PATH lines during the morning rush:

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Published on: July 15, 2025

Cybersecurity Flaw in U.S. Rail Signaling Systems Poses Threat to Train Safety and Operations

By GGCRBHS&M

From the Perspective of the New York Train Accident Attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf

A critical vulnerability in U.S. railroad braking systems—one that could allow a hacker to remotely stop or even derail a train—was recently disclosed by federal authorities, raising serious concerns about passenger safety and operational integrity across the nation’s railroads.

According to a July 10 advisory issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the flaw—tracked as CVE-2025-1727—affects the radio-based communication protocols used in end-of-train and head-of-train devices. These devices are crucial to sending braking commands from the front to the rear of the train. The vulnerability stems from weak authentication within the protocol, which means a hacker with basic radio hardware could potentially broadcast fraudulent signals capable of halting a moving train.

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Published on: February 27, 2025

NYC Subway Fire Sends 18 to the Hospital—Who Is Responsible?

By GGCRBHS&M

As experienced New York City personal injury attorneys, we have seen firsthand the devastating impact of subway and train accidents on victims and their families. When accidents occur underground, in confined spaces, the risk of serious injuries from smoke inhalation, fire, or collisions is significant. Just this week, 18 people suffered injuries after a track fire at the 191st Street No. 1 subway station, raising concerns about subway safety and liability.

What Happened at 191st Street?

On Tuesday afternoon, thick gray smoke filled the station after an object on the tracks made contact with the third rail, leading to a hazardous smoke condition. Nine passengers suffered from smoke inhalation and were assessed by emergency responders, while 16 others required hospitalization. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but the incident underscores the dangers riders face daily on the MTA system.

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Published on: February 4, 2025

Metro-North Valhalla Train Crash: 10 Years Later, Justice for Victims Moves Forward

By GGCRBHS&M

February 3, 2025, marks the tenth anniversary of the deadliest accident in Metro-North’s history—a catastrophic train crash that claimed the lives of five passengers and the driver of an SUV in Valhalla, New York. The crash, which left dozens injured, remains a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate railroad safety measures.

The Tragic Events of February 3, 2015

On that evening, Ellen Brody was behind the wheel of an SUV when she inadvertently entered the Commerce Street railroad crossing in Valhalla. As a northbound Metro-North train approached, the vehicle was struck, triggering a chain reaction that led to an unprecedented disaster.

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Published on: October 14, 2024

New Jersey Transit Train Operator Dies After Striking Fallen Tree in Mansfield Township: What Victims Should Know

By GGCRBHS&M

This morning, tragedy struck when a New Jersey Transit train operator lost their life after a River Line train collided with a fallen tree on the tracks in Mansfield Township, Burlington County. The train was traveling south from Trenton when the accident occurred, just north of Roebling Station, shortly after 6 a.m.

The incident resulted in significant disruptions for commuters, with 42 passengers on board. As of 9 a.m., NJ Transit reported that 23 of those riders sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the remaining 19 passengers were safely transported from the scene by bus. In response to the accident, River Line service has been suspended between Florence and Trenton, with a substitute bus service provided to assist stranded travelers.

While the exact cause of this tragic event is still under investigation, early reports indicate that the train struck a tree that had fallen across the tracks. Whether this tree fell due to natural causes or as a result of preventable factors such as poor maintenance or oversight is yet to be determined. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared his sympathies, offering prayers to all affected by this tragic incident.

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Published on: August 20, 2024

Expert Cross-Examination: Creating Maximum Mileage From an Expert’s Mistakes

By GGCRBHS&M

In an article published today in the New York Law Journal, Ben Rubinowitz and Evan Torgan write about the critical importance of expert cross-examination in trial advocacy. Their piece, titled “Expert Cross-Examination: Creating Maximum Mileage From an Expert’s Mistakes,” offers a deep dive into the strategies attorneys can employ to effectively challenge the credibility of expert witnesses.

Drawing on the IN RE METRO NORTH trial, presided over by Honorable Paul Marx in Westchester County Supreme Court, Rubinowitz and Torgan explore how meticulous preparation and a thorough understanding of the case can expose flaws in an expert’s analysis. Rubinowitz and Richard Steigman, served as lead trial counsel for all injured passengers, successfully leveraging cross-examination to reveal critical errors in the defense’s expert testimony, which played a significant role in the trial’s outcome.

This article is a valuable resource for attorneys seeking to refine their cross-examination techniques and underscores the impact that even minor discrepancies in expert reports can have on the credibility of testimony and the jury’s perception.

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Published on: July 17, 2024

Landmark Verdict in Metro-North Train Crash that Killed 6 and Injured Many

By GGCRBHS&M

On February 3, 2015, a devastating accident occurred at the Commerce Street Crossing in Valhalla, New York, involving a Metro-North train and a motor vehicle. The tragic incident led to the deaths of five passengers and numerous injuries, marking it as the deadliest crash in Metro-North’s history. After nearly a decade of legal proceedings, a Westchester County jury has delivered a landmark verdict, holding Metro-North primarily liable for the crash.

That evening, Ellen Brody, driving an SUV, inadvertently drove onto the tracks at the Commerce Street Crossing. As a northbound Metro-North train approached, the train struck the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic sequence of events. The train continued to move several hundred feet post-collision, causing the vehicle to strike the electrified third rail. The third rail dislodged and penetrated the floor of the first train car, igniting multiple fires and causing extensive damage. Tragically, Ellen Brody and five passengers lost their lives, and dozens were injured.

In the aftermath of the crash, the families of the victims and the injured passengers sought justice

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Published on: January 11, 2024

Understanding Subway Derailments and Passenger Safety

By GGCRBHS&M

As New York City subway accident attorneys, we have seen our fair share of transit-related incidents. But the recent derailment of the Manhattan-bound F train in Brooklyn, following closely on the heels of another derailment on the Upper West Side, raises serious concerns about passenger safety and infrastructure integrity in our city’s subway system.

On Wednesday afternoon, a subway train derailed in Brooklyn – the second such incident in New York City in less than a week. This incident involved the F train going off the elevated tracks between West Eighth Street and Neptune Avenue stations in Coney Island. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among the 34 passengers and three crew members onboard.

While officials, including Richard Davey, president of New York City Transit, are investigating the cause, early speculation suggests issues with the track itself, such as unevenness or a break. This is particularly concerning given that the tracks had been inspected as recently as November, with no issues flagged.

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Published on: January 5, 2024

Legal Perspective on the recent Upper West Side Subway Derailment

By GGCRBHS&M

The recent derailment of two 1 trains near the 96th Street subway station on Manhattan’s Upper West Side is a reminder of the unexpected dangers lurking in our daily commutes. As subway and train accident lawyers, we have seen firsthand the impact these accidents have on individuals and communities. Indeed our team recently obtained a $20 million settlement for a young woman who suffered injuries in a train accident.

On Thursday afternoon, two trains collided at a slow speed, leading to a derailment that injured 24 passengers. Thankfully, as reported by Deputy Assistant Chief of EMS Operations Ian Swords, none of these injuries were life-threatening. The situation could have been much worse, and we are all grateful for the prompt response of emergency crews and the MTA staff.

In the wake of such an event, passengers and their families may have numerous questions about their legal rights and options

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