Attorneys for Bus Accident Injuries
With more and more people using public transportation here in New York City, accidents involving buses have been on the rise. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) serves all five boroughs with an average weekday ridership of 2.4 million people, making nearly 54,000 trips weekly and operating more than 5,700 buses. While buses remain a popular, budget-friendly option for tourists and locals alike, they can also be dangerous. At Leav & Steinberg LLP, we have represented many people who were struck by buses while crossing the street. Despite having a green light and being in the designated crosswalk, we have seen buses strike pedestrians time and time again, causing life-changing injuries.
Who Is Responsible for a Bus Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, determining the responsible party in your case will depend on several factors. The bus driver may be found to be negligent if he or she was driving distracted or knowingly disregarded a traffic law that resulted in the accident. In other cases, bus drivers can be found at fault if they were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or operating the bus without proper training. In addition to bus drivers, other motorists on the road may be found responsible for the accident if they were driving recklessly or were the cause of a collision with the bus and/or other vehicles.
Additionally, your injuries may be the fault of the bus management company, such as the MTA or a private company, if the bus was not properly maintained, if the bus driver was not properly qualified, or if the bus did not meet government regulations for safety. Both pedestrians and passengers who are injured may pursue a case if the bus was not adequately maintained.
For example, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), which is a subset of the MTA, operates accordion-style buses that allow the bus to have additional passengers seated on part of an extension. With inadequate maintenance of these rubber accordions, passengers may slip and fall inside of the bus when rain or snow leaks into the bus. In these cases, the company would be found liable, and the victims may pursue negligence charges.
Common Injuries From a Bus Accident
Due to the size, weight, and slow stopping abilities of buses, pedestrians may incur severe injuries as the result of an accident. Because buses operate without seatbelts or airbags, passengers are also at risk of injury.
Examples of common injuries include:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Chronic back pain
- Broken bones, severed limbs, or permanent disfigurement
- Emotional damage and mental trauma
- Wrongful death
As a result of these injuries, victims may have reduced mobility, pain and suffering, lost wages, and added costs for medical bills that disrupt their lives dramatically. It is essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to thoroughly investigate your case, pursue compensation, and advocate for your rights.
What to Do After a Bus Accident
In addition to working with an attorney, there are several steps you should take following a bus accident. First, you should seek immediate medical care for any injuries sustained and contact the police to file a report. If possible, take photos of the scene to document any issues with the bus maintenance, as well as any damages from a collision. Injured parties should work with their attorney to collect all available evidence that will help build a case.
Making an Insurance Claim
Negotiating with an insurance company to file a claim can be complicated. Insurers often try to deny the claim or pressure the victim into taking a small settlement. At Leav & Steinberg, our lawyers will be your partners in all communications and negotiate on your behalf to help prevent the insurance company from pressuring or intimidating you. Since most buses are operated by government agencies, the deadline to file a claim for negligence of organization cases requires prompt action. As a no-fault state, New York state law also requires that you file a claim for accidents involving private bus companies within 30 days.
Choose Leav & Steinberg for Your Case
If you have been injured by a bus in New York City, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering incurred as a result of this traumatic experience. At Leav & Steinberg, our personal injury attorneys have helped clients in bus accidents attain multi-million dollar verdicts. We offer free consultations, and our attorneys are available to travel throughout the tri-state area to meet with you about your case. Get started today by calling us directly at 212-766-5222.
Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
