New York Bus Accident Lawyer

According to the New York State Department Of Transportation Bus & Passenger Vehicle Regulations, a bus is a motor vehicle that can transport more than 10 persons, including the driver.  

The width of the vehicle should not exceed 102 inches, and the length should be under 45 feet.  

Exceptions to this rule include articulated buses that can be as long as 62 feet. 

Buses that may be involved in a bus accident in New York include:

• Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) city buses
• School buses
• Charter tour buses
• Airport shuttle buses
• Church buses
• Casino buses
• Private buses, such as Greyhound, MegaBus, BoltBus, Peter Pan and GoBuses
• Special operation buses, such as those meant for concerts or sporting events

The most common reasons for bus accidents in New York include: 

• Inexperienced drivers 
• Speeding 
• Failure to observe the speed in line with the road and weather conditions 
• Distracted driving, such as driving while texting or using a cell phone, or inattentive driving 
• Fatigued driving 
• Driving after consumption of alcohol or drugs 
• Improper bus inspection or maintenance  
• Illegal or unsafe turns 
• Taking the right of way to pedestrians or other traffic participants 
• Disobeying a traffic control signal or device 

The parties that can be held responsible for a bus accident in New York include: 

• Bus drivers who commit traffic violations, drive a bus after consuming alcohol or drugs, drive while distracted or fail to undergo proper training 
• Bus companies that do not perform regular vehicle maintenance or do not comply with government safety regulations 
• Other motorists who contribute to the accident 
• Bus manufacturers who allow defects leading to potential accidents 
• Bus management organizations 
• Travel companies  
• School districts or the board in charge of school buses 

After a bus accident in New York:

• Call the police and an ambulance, if your condition allows
• Do not leave the accident scene unless an ambulance takes you to the hospital
• Record the bus driver’s name, along with the bus number
• Take a photo or a video of the accident scene, including your injuries, vehicle position and property damage
• Ask the police officers how you can obtain a copy of the police accident report
• Collect the contact information of any accident witnesses

Though the injuries after a bus accident vary, the most common injuries include:

• Fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Brain injuries
• Organ damage
• Nerve damage
• Internal bleeding
• Amputation
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Death

Bus accidents typically lead to serious injuries due to the large size and weight of a bus, which can make them difficult to maneuver and can render safety features in smaller motor vehicles as ineffective. 

The lack of airbags and safety restraints can further increase the risk of serious injuries or even death, in a bus accident. 

The compensation amount you can get after a bus accident in New York depends on a number of factors, such as: 

• Who was at fault for the accident 
• The available insurance coverage amount 
• Who the claim filed against: an individual, a private company, the city, the MTA 
• The severity of your injuries 
• Whether post-accident treatment is required 
• Whether you sustain injuries that lead to a disability, impairment or disfigurement  

Our knowledgeable New York bus accident lawyers will fight on your behalf for fair compensation for the injuries you suffered. 

You can sue a bus manufacturer if the bus accident in which you were injured was a result of a defective or dangerous part. Examples include: 

• Defects in the bus tires’ sidewalls, which can result in rapid deflation and an increased accident risk 
• Caliper mounting bolts that were not sufficiently torqued, which can negatively affect the efficacy of the bus brakes 
• A leak in the buss steering gearbox, which can result in steering problems 

The evidence you can use to prove negligence after a bus accident includes: 

• Police reports 
• Photos and videos from the accident scene 
• Damage to vehicles 
• Accident investigation results by the MTA or another government agency 
• Onboard vehicle data 
• Maintenance logs 
• Witness statements 
• Accident-related citations or arrests 
• Training and hiring practices of the bus company 

After a bus accident injury, our tenacious bus accident lawyers at Spar & Bernstein will: 

• Investigate the bus accident 
• Collect evidence and speak to witnesses 
• Identify who is at fault for the accident 
• Talk with experts to define the cause of the accident or the possible extent of negligence 
• Evaluate the damages 
• Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf 
• Defend your rights in court if a settlement is not reached outside of court 

We offer a free initial consultation where we can get to know you and your case, and we never collect fees in advance for our services. Only upon reaching a settlement do we collect payment, in the form of a percentage of the compensation you are awarded.  

You have 30 days to inform your insurance agency about the bus accident that caused your injuries

If you want to file a claim against the city, the MTA or the MTA Bus Company, you must file a Notice of a Claim within 90 days of the bus accident.  

You can file a lawsuit within one year and 90 days from the date of the accident. 

If you fail to file a Notice of a Claim within 90 days after the accident, your claim will most likely be denied. 

There are an average of 23 accidents per day involving MTA public New York City buses, according to a 2018 study by the New York Post. As a result, there are a minimum of two injured people per day. 

If you have been injured due to a public bus accident, contact our knowledgeable bus accident lawyers at Spar & Bernstein for help. 

All MTA buses in New York are required to have no-fault insurance for injured passengers. This insurance covers up to $50,000 for medical expenses, lost wages or other reasonable expenses, such as housekeeping costs or costs for transportation to and from a doctor’s office. 

If you suffered injuries as a bus passenger and you or your family member have no-fault auto insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company within 30 days of the accident.

If you suffered injuries as a bus passenger, you must file your claim with the New York City Transit Authority, the MTA or the MTA Bus Company. 

If you were hit by a bus as a pedestrian, you must submit your claim to the New York City Transit Authority, the MTA or the MTA Bus Company. 

No-fault insurance is not connected with non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life or mental anguish. 

New York City’s MTA services 15.3 million people across 5,000 square miles that surround New York City through Long Island, southeastern New York State and Connecticut.

To prevent an accident as a passenger: 

• Arrive at the bus stop on time to avoid falling or being injured while running to catch the bus 
• Do not get on the bus until it is fully stopped 
• Use the handrails when boarding the bus or getting off the bus 
• Keep loose clothes close to your body to avoid tripping, falling or getting caught in the bus doors 
• Do not walk or run behind a bus 
• Do not attempt to retrieve a dropped object while the bus is moving 
• Wear your seat belt