Bus Accident Lawyers in New York City

The FMCSA defines a bus as a vehicle “designed, constructed, and/or used to transport passengers.” A bus is also a term used to refer to “motor coaches or buses with passenger decks located over a baggage compartment.” Examples of buses most commonly used in the city include school buses, MTA city buses, Greyhound buses, charter tour buses, airport shuttles, and rental car shuttle buses.

In New York City, bus accidents can occur for a multitude of reasons. Whether you’re a New Yorker or just visiting the Big Apple, keeping informed about why and how bus accidents can happen in New York City is crucial to help safeguard your rights when seeking justice. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents in the city include, but are not limited to, the following:

Driver Negligence: Some of the most common forms of bus driver negligence that lead to serious and fatal accidents can include driving under the influence of alcohol, medications, or other drugs, speeding, running red lights, and stop signs. 

Distracted Driving: In a major city like New York, the driver may have their attention pulled into conversations with passengers or abnormal events in the streets. More commonly, a distracted bus driver may be using their phone or electronic devices while operating the vehicle.

Mechanical Failures: Just like other vehicles on the road, buses need regular maintenance to ensure they are safe for operation. If a bus company or maintenance provider neglects these responsibilities, it can lead to catastrophic failures on the road. Mechanical failures can include, but are not limited to, worn tires, faulty brakes, broken mirrors, and faulty turn signals. 

Poor Road Conditions: Due to their size and weight, buses are often more susceptible to accidents caused by poor road conditions. In New York, the sizes of the streets, as well as the materials used to pave the roads may vary, making driving conditions unpredictable. The buses may struggle to avoid hazards on the road, like potholes, uneven pavement, or other debris.

Weather Conditions: Bus drivers should be trained to handle driving in adverse weather conditions. However, strong winds, fog, snow, ice, and heavy rain can all contribute to reduced visibility and slippery roads, creating a challenging environment for bus drivers to maintain control of their vehicles.

Typically, bus accident victims may suffer from injuries involving the head, neck, and spine due to the lack of safety features commonly found in a car or truck on the road, like seatbelts or passenger airbags. Without the proper safety features, passengers are left vulnerable in the case of a collision. Other injuries reported include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs, lacerations, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress, and in some cases, death. If you have suffered an injury after being involved in a bus accident, contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today to learn more about what you may be eligible to recover.

In New York City, accident liability is more complex than other claims. If there is an accident involving a bus in NYC, there are a number of parties that could be held liable for any damages. In the case that the bus was at fault in the accident, the driver, the bus company, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and even the city could be found responsible for your injuries. In the case there was another vehicle involved in the accident, that driver may also be held liable for your injuries. 

It is also important to note that when filing an injury claim after a bus crash, New York is one of a few states that follow a “no-fault” rule for insurance purposes, meaning victims of motor vehicle crashes must typically file an injury claim with their own insurers. This allows victims to recover compensation regardless of who was to blame for the accident. With a no-fault claim, there are certain limitations that may not allow you to recover compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and emotional distress. 

Also, depending on your policy, you may be limited in the amount of compensation awarded to you. However, in New York, there are certain exceptions to a no-fault claim that can allow you to recover more. In the case you have suffered a serious injury, or if you recover compensation under your own insurance policy and still have additional losses, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible bus driver and related parties. For more information about liability and what you may be eligible to claim after a bus accident, contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today.

In New York City, if you or a loved one have suffered an injury on or by public transit, such as a public bus, you will be required to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. For any period of time past 90 days, victims are more likely to lose their right to sue. If you have been injured in a bus accident in New York City, don’t wait. For more information regarding the timeline, contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today. 

After you’ve been in a bus accident, you can always file a claim on your own. However, working with an attorney can increase your odds of recovering the compensation you are entitled to after you’ve suffered an injury. Following MTA bus crashes, the New York City Transit Authority will immediately respond to the scene with surface line dispatchers, superintendents, and other personnel to investigate the crash. 

Once there, they will gather evidence to support their own claims by taking photographs, speaking to witnesses, and more. While this may seem helpful, in reality, the Transit Authority has the upper hand. The MTA can use this evidence for its own gain, and often, it or its insurance company will take advantage of victims who do not have legal representation to avoid appropriately compensating them for their injuries. 

Working with an experienced attorney like the ones at Morgan & Morgan can help you navigate the legal waters after you’ve been involved in a bus accident, ensuring you have the best chances of holding those parties liable and getting the justice you deserve.

After you’ve been involved in a bus accident in New York City, you may be eligible to recover compensation for certain types of damages related to your injuries. The most common form of compensation bus accident victims may be eligible to recover includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, wrongful death, loss of consortium, and more. 

Your case’s value depends on several factors, including the extent of your injuries and the costs you’ve incurred from the accident. Insurance companies representing New York City Transit Authority buses, MTA bus drivers, and all other bus drivers in New York State will work to aggressively shut down attempts at seeking these damages, especially if a  victim is not working with a New York City bus accident lawyer. 

This is why we highly recommend you speak with an experienced New York City bus accident attorney. For more information on what you may be eligible to recover from your bus accident case, contact our law firm today by completing our case evaluation form.

If you decide to file a claim after you’ve been injured in a bus accident in New York City, finding the right attorney for your case is critical to ensure you have the best odds of recovering what you are entitled to. This is why we highly encourage you to contact an attorney with the right experience and expertise behind bus accidents in the city, like the ones at Morgan & Morgan.

When you decide to work with us, you can rest assured we have the experience and bandwidth to take on your case. Our trial-ready attorneys will never settle for less than the total amount your injuries and losses are worth. You and your attorney will have access to experts and our resources, which include thousands of capable staff like engineers, investigators, researchers, and scientists, all ready to help prove your claim.  

At Morgan & Morgan, we invest our time and effort into ensuring you never have to worry about the logistics of your legal case; that way, you and your loved ones can focus on what matters most. For more information, you can schedule a free case evaluation today with a Morgan and Morgan attorney to determine how to proceed with your accident case.

Speaking with the right attorney after you’ve been injured in a bus accident can make a world of difference and significantly increase your chances of recovering what you are entitled to. This is why if you have been involved or suffered an injury in a bus accident, you should contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney. For over 35 years, our law firm has helped our clients get back over $20 billion for their injuries, and we want to help you, too. After a bus accident, do not wait to seek help from an experienced attorney. Contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.