Boston MBTA Injury Lawyers
Accomplished representation for passengers who suffer injuries while traveling on any MBTA vehicle
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The operators of Boston MBTA trains, subways, buses, commuter rail, ferry services, and paratransit services owe all of their passengers a high duty of care. The MBTA, the MBTA drivers, the MBTA crews on the vehicle, and the companies that inspect the MBTA vehicles should be there to ensure that their passengers arrive at their destination safely. At Santoro & Gray, we hold the MBTA accountable when its negligence causes injuries or deaths. Our MBTA injury lawyers are ready to demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages.
A notable MBTA case
In one MBTA case, Attorney Bradley M. Henry, while at a prior firm, obtained a $3.9 million settlement for the family of a passenger who suffered cardiac arrest and required immediate medical care. Despite pleas from other passengers to stop immediately, the train operator continued to make scheduled stops for approximately 20 minutes. The passenger died due to the failure to receive prompt emergency medical care.
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How Santoro & Gray can help you
- What transportation services does the MBTA provide?
- What types of MBTA accidents do you handle?
- What are the common causes of MBTA accidents?
- What types of injuries do MBTA accidents cause?
- What are the issues involved in bringing an MBTA accident claim?
- How much is my MBTA claim worth in Massachusetts?
- Do you have an MBTA injury lawyer near me?
What transportation services does the MBTA provide?
The Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority is a state authority that works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The MBTA serves eastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island.
Currently, the MBTA serves almost 200 cities and towns and more than one million daily riders.
The MBTA provides the following services:
- Subway: “The Red, Orange, Blue, and Green subway lines provide fast, easy connections to and from Boston and surrounding cities, including Cambridge, Newton, Revere, and Quincy.”
- Buses: “The MBTA operates 171 bus routes and four rapid transit routes in the Greater Boston area, with connections to the subway and Commuter Rail.”
- Commuter rail: “The Commuter Rail connects eastern Massachusetts with transit hubs in Boston, including subway, bus, and Amtrak services.”
- Ferry routes: “Boston’s commuter ferry service connects the inner and outer harbor with transport hubs in Boston at the Charlestown Navy Yard and Logan Airport.”
- The RIDE: “The RIDE is the MBTA’s door-to-door paratransit service. If you have a disability that prevents you from using the MBTA bus, subway, or trolley all or some of the time, The RIDE may be able to assist with your public transportation needs.”
What types of MBTA accidents do you handle?
At Santoro & Gray, we handle all types of MBTA accidents, including the following accidents that may occur while a passenger is waiting for a vehicle to arrive, entering or exiting the vehicle, while on the vehicle, or when leaving the station or waiting area.
- Door accidents that may occur when doors shut too quickly
- Accidents on stairs, elevators, and escalators
- Accidents due to difficulties getting onto or off a vehicle, such as a gap between the vehicle and the platforms
- Accidents at various crossings with other types of traffic
- Accidents due to contact with electricity
- Accidents due to sudden starts, stops, and movements of a vehicle
- Collisions with other trains
- Collisions with other types of vehicles
- Collisions with pedestrians and bicycle riders
- Physical or sexual assaults
- Accidents due to improper maintenance and repairs of the vehicles and the tracks
- Accidents due to defective vehicle parts, such as brakes and hydraulic systems
Subway accidents
Subways ride underneath the city. Accidents may occur when the subway fails to stay on the track, when there are collisions with other subway cars, when the doors shut too quickly, and for many other reasons. When an accident does happen, it can be difficult for emergency medical and transport vehicles to provide assistance.
Bus accidents
Common accidents that are fairly unique to buses are blind spot accidents, rollover accidents, wide-turn accidents, and accidents when buses pick up and drop off passengers. Bus accidents also include head-on crashes, rear-end collisions, and broadsides with other vehicles. Drivers need to understand how to handle unruly passengers.
Commuter rail accidents
We handle all types of commuter and light rail accidents. These accidents include accidents at railroad crossings (with other cars and pedestrians), boarding and exiting accidents, car derailments and detachments, high-speed accidents, improper switching accidents, platform accidents, and other types of rail accidents. We work with agencies, such as the National Transportation Safety Board, the Massachusetts and Boston police officers, our own investigators, and traffic reconstruction experts to help show what happened.
Ferry accidents
At Santoro & Gray, we handle ferry accidents that may occur while passengers access and exit the ferry. We understand the unique navigation rules that apply to ferry operators. Ferry accidents may also occur if operators fail to understand how to operate their boat in bad weather or rough waters. The water that enters the boat through rain, splashes, and the footprints of passengers can easily cause slip and fall accidents.
Paratransit
MBTA provides a paratransit service, called The RIDE, for passengers who have mobility difficulties. Accidents may occur when these riders try to enter or exit The RIDE or if the passenger (and their wheelchair) is not properly secured while traveling.
What are the common causes of MBTA accidents?
Many of the reasons that MBTA accidents happen are common to all types of MBTA services, including the following:
- Driving too fast
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving while tired
- Driver distraction, such as looking at a GPS
- Too many passengers
- Cargo that isn’t properly secured
- The failure of the MBTA to vet or train its drivers
- Inexperience
- Driving through stop signs, red lights, and other traffic violations
- Stopping too quickly
- Defective tracks
- Dangerous railroad crossings
- Sudden movements
- Improper inspections and/or repairs
- Defective vehicle parts
- Poor lighting
- Not having enough security
What types of injuries do MBTA accidents cause?
MBTA accidents often cause accidents that change lives permanently or for long periods of time. Our Boston MBTA accident attorneys handle all types of injuries, including the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic amputation/full or partial loss of an arm or leg
- Fractures/broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Crush injuries
- Drownings
- Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Organ damage
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
- Electrical burns, shock, or electrocution
- Sprains and strains
- Death
What are the issues involved in bringing an MBTA accident claim?
When an accident occurs, the liable parties may include the individual operators, the MBTA, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, inspection and repair companies, drivers of cars and other vehicles, and many others.
The MBTA serves numerous passengers. For this reason, the MBTA vehicles are classified as common carriers. Common carriers owe a high duty of care to ensure the safety of their riders.
Many MBTA accidents involve multiple victims. At Santoro & Gray, we coordinate your claim with the claims of the other victims.
Our MBTA injury lawyers understand the specific time limits and other rules that apply when you file a claim against the MBTA and/or the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
How much is my MBTA claim worth in Massachusetts?
Founding partner Victoria Santoro has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for her work in Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs), among other honors. Founding partner Jessica Gray is recognized by Best Lawyers, and an active member in many local and national organizations that focus on protecting the rights of her injured clients and strengthening the civil justice system. Bradley Henry Esquire, who is of counsel, is recognized by Best Lawyers, has 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer and has handled some of New England’s highest-profile cases.
Our lawyers combine our strong presence in the courtroom with our ability to highlight the human element behind every case. Every day, we fight to achieve justice for the wrongdoings our clients have suffered.
We demand that the MBTA pay for all your damages so far and for as long as you live, including the following:
- Every medical bill you have, including bills for emergency help, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, other types of rehabilitative therapy, medications, and assistive devices
- Your lost income, including wages, business income, benefits, and long-term disability compensation
- Physical pain and emotional suffering for every ache, moment of anxiety, and all other types of trauma
- Property damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Inability to use a body part
- Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium (enjoyment of your spouse)
Our lawyers file wrongful death claims for family members when an MBTA accident is fatal. These damages include the funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, and the loss of love, comfort, and guidance your loved one would have provided each family member.
Do you have an MBTA injury lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet clients at our Boston Office located at 131 Dartmouth Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 35. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can make arrangements to meet you at our home or another location. Our lawyers also discuss cases by phone and through Zoom and other online platforms.
We’re here to guide you through each step of your claim.
Contact our experienced Boston MBTA lawyers today
We understand how scared and anxious you are. Instead of arriving home, at work, or to enjoy the sights and sounds of Boston, you’re now seeing doctors and wondering how you’ll pay your bills. We’ve helped many personal injury victims obtain strong recoveries. Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle MBTA accident cases on a contingency fee basis.