What Are My Legal Options After a New York Bus Accident?
Every day in New York, thousands of daily commuters, school children, and tourists board buses to reach their destination. Unfortunately, in the event of a collision, the aftermath is often tragic and devastating, particularly because most buses do not have seat belts and the overwhelming size of the vehicle can cause catastrophic damage.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus, megabus, or school bus accident, whether as a passenger, a pedestrian, or a motorist, you understand the unique dangers that buses pose and may be struggling to overcome the overwhelming injuries or losses you suffered as a result. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our NY bus accident lawyers have extensive experience helping survivors obtain fair and just compensation. Contact us at (212) 986-7353 for a free and informative consultation. We can help you understand your rights and legal options and will fight to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case.
What Are the Main Factors in a Bus Accident?
There are a number of reasons bus crashes happen. In many cases, a driver may not see a smaller vehicle or may be distracted. Other causes include speeding, use of alcohol or drugs, and unfamiliarity with the road. Bus drivers who are unfamiliar with the route or distracted by GPS can cause devastating collisions. It is the responsibility of all bus drivers to be attentive and practice safe driving every time they get behind the wheel of a bus. It is also the responsibility of the bus company to ensure that all drivers are qualified and properly trained to drive their buses and reduce the risk of a bus accident.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a NY Bus Accident?
As with other types of traffic accidents, a bus crash can be the result of a single moment of carelessness or multiple incidents of negligence. Several different parties, if they contributed to a collision, may be held accountable for your injuries:
- Bus Drivers - Drivers who are poorly trained, who drive while distracted, who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who knowingly commit traffic violations can be held responsible for causing a crash.
- Other Motorists - Negligent drivers who collide with a bus or drive recklessly and force the bus to lose control are responsible for injuries and damages that result in a crash.
- Bus Companies - New York bus companies are obligated to perform vehicle maintenance on a regular basis, as well as comply with government regulations and hire qualified drivers to operate the vehicles safely. The bus company may be liable for serious crashes that result from their negligence.
Pursuing a bus accident claim can be incredibly complicated, especially if the bus driver or company was responsible. Call (212) 986-7353 for help.
The knowledgeable NY bus accident attorneys at WRSMH have the resources necessary to investigate the cause of your bus collision and will work tirelessly to gather solid evidence and testimony to build a strong case against the responsible party. A successful case can provide the financial support you need and deserve.
Collisions Involving Large Buses
Commercial buses are a popular mode of transportation in New York. These large vehicles are used for commuting inside the city as well as sightseeing tours and state-to-state travel. Deemed one of the safest forms of travel in the United States, buses are involved in only 0.05% of vehicle collisions each year, according to data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, while bus accidents in New York do not occur as often as other motor vehicle accidents, bus crashes still have devastating effects on victims, leaving many with serious injuries or worse.
Because buses are so large (many weighing 10,000 pounds or more), their size and high center of gravity provide hazards in the event of a crash. The size of a bus can eliminate many safety features in passenger vehicles that are designed for collisions with similarly-sized vehicles. Many buses are not equipped with safety restraints or airbags, furthering the risk of serious injury or death to passengers.
Types of Injuries Sustained in Bus Accidents
In many instances, victims walk away from bus accidents with catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Depending on the circumstances of the commercial bus crash, some types of injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Broken Bones - These can be very painful and require medical treatment to ensure proper recovery.
- Severed Limbs - Amputations from a collision, or those required for medical reasons, can be very traumatic and impact the rest of a person's life.
- Internal Bleeding - Internal injuries can be difficult to detect but pose a serious, sometimes life-threatening risk to an injured person.
- Burns - Serious collisions can result in fires that can cause catastrophic burns.
- Head Injuries - Traumatic brain injuries can drastically alter a person's lifestyle and personality.
- Spinal Cord Injuries - Injuries to the spine, neck, and shoulders are extremely painful and can have lifelong effects, often requiring extensive physical therapy to treat.
- Paraplegia and Quadriplegia - Any form of paralysis changes the rest of a person's life, often requiring physical therapy and counseling to deal with.
- Death - Fatalities can occur either at the scene of a collision or as a consequence of other injuries. In either case, the results are terrible for the victim’s family members and friends.
Unique Insurance Issues in NY Bus Accident Claims
In most cases, buses are owned and operated by government agencies and the deadline for filing a claim for rightful compensation is shorter than filing with other insurance companies. WRSMH is well-versed in local, state, and federal laws regarding bus accidents and can ensure that you do not miss the appropriate deadline. It is not uncommon for insurance companies, whether government or not, to outright deny or minimize a legitimate claim in order to save money. Do not sign anything offered to you by an insurance company without consulting a lawyer and do not take "no" for an answer.
New York Bus Accident Lawyers Winning Successful Verdicts and Settlements for Injured Victims
If you survived a bus crash or lost a loved one in a crash in New York, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and losses. It is all too common for injured victims to give up the battle with the at-fault party and insurance company because the process is too complicated or intimidating. Let the NY auto accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, handle your case so you and your loved ones can focus on healing. We provide the effective representation you deserve to protect your legal rights. Call (212) 986-7353 for a free consultation.
Additional Information
Our Bus Accident Case Results
$3.75 Million - Client Rear-Ended by School Bus
Tracy Kinneary obtained a large settlement for our client who was injured when he was rear-ended by a school bus on his way to work.
Tracy Kinneary
$2.43 Million - New York City Bus Accident
Robert Bellinson and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a verdict in the amount of $2,430,000 on behalf of a 25 year old nursing student who was rear-ended by a New York City Transit Authority bus.
Robert Bellinson
$2 Million - Rear-Ended by a School Bus
Bryce Moses and other WRSMH attorneys were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $2,000,000 on behalf of our client, a 50-year-old woman from Kings County.
Bryce Moses
$2 Million - Driver Injured When Vehicle Struck by School Bus
Clifford Shapiro and another WRSMH attorney obtained a $2 million settlement at private mediation on behalf of a 41-year-old male client who was injured when his vehicle was struck by a school bus.
Clifford Shapiro
$2 Million - Woman Injured After Her Car Was Struck by a Bus
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP settled a case for $2,000,000 for a plaintiff who was injured when the car she was driving was struck by a bus.
WRSMH LLP
$1.5 Million - NYCTA Bus Collision
WRSMH attorneys Kenneth J. Halperin and Bryce Moses recently obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for a 36-year-old man who was injured when two NYCTA buses collided.
Kenneth Halperin, Bryce Moses
$1.4 Million - Car Hit by School Bus
Cliff Shapiro and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement of $1.4 million on behalf of our client, a 67-year-old man from Washington Heights who was involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Clifford Shapiro
$1.1 Million - Pedestrian Struck by New York City Transit Authority Bus
Frank J. Lombardo obtained a verdict in the amount of $1,116,451. 90 for a 37 years old man who was struck down by a bus while walking across the street.
Frank Lombardo, Kenneth Halperin
$875,000 - Rear-End Car Collision with School Bus
Our client, a 22 year old woman, was stopped at a traffic light when her vehicle was rear-ended by a school bus.
WRSMH LLP
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP was able to obtain a settlement on behalf of a sixty-five year old woman from New York County.
WRSMH LLP
$190,000 - Woman Injured on New York City Bus
Kenneth Halperin obtained a $190,000.00 verdict for a 58 year-old woman who was injured while she was a passenger on a New York City Transit Authority bus.
Kenneth Halperin
$160,000 - Bus Pedestrian Accident
Our client, a 43 year old artist, was hit by a school bus while walking her child to school in Queens.
WRSMH LLP