Ferry Accidents
Dozens of ferry boats crisscross hundreds of routes every day in New York Waterways from Staten Island to Manhattan, and even across state lines to New Jersey. While the vast majority of these daily cruises go off without a hitch, a surprising number of New York City ferry accidents occur each year. While most result in only minor injuries, a handful of disastrous crashes have cost some passengers their lives and injured many more.
Staten Island Ferry Accidents
The most famous of New York’s ferries is the Staten Island Ferry. This single route alone carries roughly 19 million people every year along its five-mile trek—that’s 33,000 trips made by just eight boats that service the route.
In the past 13 years, Staten Island Ferry accidents have injured more than 120 people and killed 11.
While some of these damaging Staten Island Ferry crashes have involved collisions between ferries and other watercraft, collisions with stationary objects including piers and pylons are far more common. In fact, 71 people were injured, and 11 died in 2003 when the vessel Andrew J. Barberi slammed full speed into a concrete pier.
Unsafe Conditions Sometimes Plague New York’s Ferry System
Though the DOT says that it operates the “safest ferry system” in the United States, its fleet of boats still requires a watchful eye just to maintain minimum level of service. Causes of ferry accidents include:
- Operator error
- Electrical issues
- Mechanical failure
- Improper safety precautions
- Improper maritime practices
Safeguard Your Rights Following A New York Ferry Accident
Determining who or what was responsible for the ferry accident is essential in order to ensure the victims and their family’s right to receive the compensation they deserve. The Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel has been fighting for the rights of victims in transportation-related personal injuries lawsuits for more than 25 years. We leave no stone unturned in investigating these accidents and in doing so puts our clients on even ground with the city of New York and the faceless corporations that operate ferry services across the city’s waterways.
If you or a loved one was injured in a New York City ferry accident, contact the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation today at 888-391-8546 or .