Bus Accidents in New York
Bus accidents have become all too common on America’s busy streets and highways, causing injuries, property damage, and loss of life.
If you or a loved one have been hurt in a bus accident in New York, the injury attorneys at Douglas & London are here for you. We can provide you with the aggressive representation needed to secure compensation for your injuries and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Our team has helped numerous victims of vehicle accidents collect millions in restitution, enabling them to rebuild their lives after a serious injury. Your no-obligation consultation with a bus accident lawyer at our firm is free of charge.
Keep in mind that if you were injured in a crash involving a New York City bus, you may have only a short window of time in which to file a claim for damages. Therefore, do not delay in calling us anytime or by contacting us through our website.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Many bus accidents are the result of negligence or recklessness. The bus driver, other motorists, or pedestrians on the road can all contribute to an accident. Additionally, defective or malfunctioning equipment can lead to a crash, making the manufacturer liable for any resulting injuries and property damage.
Common causes of bus accidents include:
- The influence of drugs or alcohol
- Poor weather conditions and low visibility
- Driving recklessly by speeding and ignoring road and traffic conditions
- Defective equipment or parts on the bus
- Improper or irregular maintenance performed on the bus
- Driving while distracted
Bus accidents often involve multiple parties, making it difficult to determine who is at fault. Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to determine which party is at fault and hold them accountable for your injuries and property damage.
Serious Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accidents often result in extensive property damage and serious, life-changing injuries, including:
- Broken Bones: Fractures are very serious and can result in the need for emergency surgery and fixation with plates, rods, and screws. Some people are never the same after breaking a leg, hip, arm, or ankle.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma or penetrating injuries are common in motor vehicle accidents. Damage to the internal organs can be life-threatening.
- Scarring Cuts and Lacerations: Permanent scarring can result in loss of employment opportunities, anxiety, depression, and diminished quality of life.
- Spinal Cord Injury: Spinal cord injuries often result in the need for multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. Many with spinal injuries are left partially or fully paralyzed. Most people with spinal cord injuries are unable to go back to work or return to full capacity and enjoy life the way they did before the bus accident.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Brain injuries affect everyone differently. Some people may exhibit temporary memory loss or excessive drowsiness, while others may endure lifelong changes to their personality or paralysis. TBIs can be fatal, particularly if they are not treated right away.
- Wrongful Death: When a loved one dies in a bus accident, spouses, dependent children, and sometimes parents of the decedent may sue for damages. Compensation can be sought for funeral and burial expenses, as well as unpaid medical bills. Loss of inheritance or household income can be listed as a loss in these lawsuits as well.
Understanding Bus Accident Liability in New York
There’s a lot to consider when filing a bus accident claim, but proving liability is the key to a successful injury case. That’s why it’s so important to have a knowledgeable legal team on your side to research every angle and thoroughly highlight where the fault lies.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Accident?
Liability in a bus accident depends on proving how the actions of a negligent party contributed to the crash. Several parties may be responsible, and they include:
- Bus Drivers: They can be held liable if they caused the accident by speeding, driving fatigued, driving distracted or impaired, or engaging in other unsafe behavior.
- Bus Companies: These companies may be responsible for negligent hiring practices, inadequate training, overworking drivers, or failure to maintain their fleet.
- Maintenance Crews: These workers can be held liable for worn brakes, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues that resulted from inadequate inspection or repair.
- Other Drivers: Anyone who was driving recklessly and triggered the crash can be held liable.
Establishing liability requires stellar investigative legal skills. Obtaining evidence such as accident reports, driver logs, maintenance records, and witness testimony is critical to establishing fault. A personal injury attorney can help with all of this and more to build a solid case based on the evidence collected.
Public vs. Private Bus Accidents
Public transit systems, such as city buses and school buses, are typically operated by local governments. That means they follow different legal procedures from those involving privately owned buses.
If you’re injured in an accident involving a public bus, you may need to file a notice of claim with the government agency before you can sue. There is a strict timeframe to file (within 90 days after the accident), depending on the jurisdiction.
On the other hand, private bus accidents involving charter companies, tour operators, or private shuttles are handled similarly to most other personal injury cases and don’t require filing a notice of claim with the government. These private companies can be held accountable through insurance claims or lawsuits. The statute of limitations varies depending upon the type of accident, but most are three years from the date of the accident.
It’s critical to speak with an attorney quickly after a bus accident to ensure all deadlines and procedures are followed correctly.
Damages in Bus Accident Lawsuits
Whether you were a passenger on the bus, a pedestrian, or another motorist involved in the accident, you are likely to suffer serious injuries that require extensive medical care. Your injuries may prevent you from returning to work right away, which can result in a significant loss of wages, making it more difficult to pay your medical bills. The physical and mental trauma experienced can require years of therapy, having a significant impact on your quality of life.
Our personal injury lawyers work diligently to ensure that the negligent party or parties are held accountable and to secure fair and just compensation. We can aggressively pursue damages to compensate you for:
- Medical bills from the treatment of your injuries
- Any lost wages due to time away from work, or a loss of income if your injury prevents you from returning to work
- Any property damage you might have suffered in the accident
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering caused by your injury
- Reduced quality of life
Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, can have lifelong repercussions. After being injured in a bus accident, victims may experience pain and suffering, depression, PTSD, loss of consortium and companionship, or diminished enjoyment in life. If your case involves these non-economic damages, you’ll want a bus accident law firm that has the experience and knowledge to properly value your case to include these “intangible” losses.
In the event that your loved one suffered a fatal injury as a result of the accident, we will also seek damages to compensate you for any remaining medical expenses, funeral expenses, and loss of income for financial dependents.
How to Choose the Right Bus Accident Lawyer in New York
After a bus accident, it’s important to find someone with specific experience in personal injury law. This is especially important when dealing with public transportation. Look for a lawyer who has:
- A strong track record in handling bus accident claims
- Experience dealing with public transit authorities like the MTA
- Familiarity with the complex legal process required for claims against government entities
- A track record of success in securing significant compensation for their clients
Review their past case results and client testimonials, and ensure they offer a free consultation, like our team here at Douglas & London.
Why Local Expertise Is Essential
Bus accident cases in New York aren’t like your average car accident claims. The rules, deadlines, and government procedures can be confusing. This is especially true when the claim involves city-operated buses or transit agencies. A local attorney will understand:
- The specific legal requirements for filing a claim against the local MTA
- New York’s notice of claim rules and statute of limitations
- How to work with local courts, judges, and transportation officials
- Bus route patterns, known areas of danger, and local traffic conditions that could support your case
Choosing a New York-based attorney with deep knowledge of the city’s transportation system and legal landscape gives you an advantage and can greatly contribute to a successful outcome.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With a New York Bus Accident Attorney
Whether you were injured in a Brooklyn bus accident, a bus accident in Manhattan, or a bus crash in any of the five boroughs of New York City or beyond, our compassionate attorneys are here to help you rebuild your life in the wake of considerable losses. If you were injured in an accident involving an MTA bus in NYC, the statute of limitations gives you only 6 months to file a claim, after which you may forfeit your right to damages. Protect your right to the financial compensation you deserve by contacting us as soon as possible.
