Legally Reviewed by Jae E. Lee, Esq. on August 11, 2026
Every day thousands of people rely on our mass transit system. It is the responsibility of New Jersey Transit to ensure the safety of the public in every aspect of their operations. Even with all the safety precautions they have in place, an alarming number of people continue to be seriously injured or even killed on an annual basis. Mass transit accidents are one type of motor vehicle accident we handle.
If you have been injured or a family member has died as a result of any incident involving New Jersey Transit, be sure to have an experienced lawyer on your side who knows how to handle these cases and can fight to protect your interests. Jae E. Lee and the mass transit accident lawyers of Jae Lee Law have handled a wide array of these Personal injury cases throughout Bergen County, NJ.
Time-Sensitive — Claims Against NJ Transit Have a Very Short Window
You May Have Only 90 Days to File a Notice of Claim Against NJ Transit
Jae Lee Law brings over 30 years of experience and millions in recoveries for injured clients, and we are proactive, not just responsive, and unafraid to take on government agencies.
Fearlessly Fighting for You
Some firms might shy away from cases involving a government agency, but not us. We believe that there is nothing more important than your rights and we will hold any negligent party accountable no matter who it is. Attorney Jae E. Lee and her associates have more than 45 years of combined experience in the law. They have been involved in nearly every kind of mass transit case out there. They know the law and they know what it takes to reach a favorable outcome for their clients.
Our mass transit accident cases include the following:
Bus Accident Injuries
Passenger, pedestrian, and motorist injuries caused by negligent NJ Transit bus operators
Train and Rail Accident Injuries
Derailments, crashes, and collisions caused by negligent train operators and rail personnel
Faulty Crossing Gates
Malfunctioning safety barriers at rail crossings
Restricted Area Access
Failure to block access to restricted areas
Pedestrian Track Injuries
Pedestrian injuries on train tracks
Inadequate Security
At bus stops and train platforms
National Safety Data
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 13,452 bus accidents nationwide in 2024, and roughly 51 percent of those crashes resulted in an injury.
Critical Filing Deadline for Claims Against NJ Transit
Filing Deadline
90 Days to File a Notice of Claim
Because New Jersey Transit is a public entity, mass transit accident claims are governed by the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, not the standard personal injury deadline. Under N.J.S.A. 59:8-8, you generally must file a formal written Notice of Claim within just 90 days of your accident, well before the two-year deadline that applies to claims against private drivers or companies. Missing this window can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, even if your injuries are severe, and late-notice exceptions are granted only in narrow circumstances.
You should contact our office as soon as possible after a transit accident so we can protect your filing deadline.
What Should You Do After a Mass Transit Accident?
Transit accident cases often turn on evidence that disappears quickly. Bus dashcam footage, platform security recordings, and train operator logs are frequently overwritten or discarded within days to weeks, and NJ Transit will not preserve that evidence for you.
Seek Medical Attention
Get evaluated right away, even if your injuries do not seem severe. Medical records tie your injuries to the accident and support any pain and suffering claim.
Report the Incident and Get a Report Number
Report the accident to the bus driver, train conductor, or transit police on the scene, and request a copy of the incident report number for your records.
Document the Scene
Photograph the vehicle, platform, or crossing, note any visible surveillance cameras, and get contact information from witnesses before they leave.
Contact an Attorney Immediately
Because you generally have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim against NJ Transit, and surveillance footage can be erased long before that, involving an attorney early is one of the most important steps you can take.
What Compensation Can You Recover Against NJ Transit?
Claims against NJ Transit and other public entities are governed by different damages rules than claims against a private driver or company. Under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, you may generally recover economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, but pain and suffering damages are barred unless you can prove a permanent loss of bodily function, permanent disfigurement, or dismemberment, and your medical treatment expenses exceed $3,600, under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2(d). This threshold was addressed by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Brooks v. Odom, a case that itself arose from a passenger injured by an NJ Transit bus door. Punitive damages generally may not be awarded against a public entity under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2(c). An attorney can review your medical records early to help determine whether your injuries meet this threshold.
| Damages Category | Availability Against NJ Transit |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Generally recoverable |
| Lost Wages | Generally recoverable |
| Pain and Suffering | Barred unless there is a permanent injury and medical expenses exceed $3,600 (N.J.S.A. 59:9-2(d)) |
| Punitive Damages | Generally not available against a public entity (N.J.S.A. 59:9-2(c)) |
