After a tragic bus accident in Queens last month, lawmakers in New York have focused in on bus companies, with an eye toward particularly reckless or dangerous ones.
In addition to releasing a list of the top offenders, lawmakers have been pushing for new penalties for companies that knowingly put others in danger, such as those that allow drivers with a conviction for drunk driving to operate a bus.
The 10 Worst Bus Companies
According to a list released by a group of lawmakers in New York, the 10 worst bus companies in the state include Dahlia Group Inc, the company that owned the bus in the September accident that cost three people their lives. But Dahlia Group is far from the worst offender. Topping the list is Sagbus, which has only a single bus, yet had 18 violations in just 24 months. Second-worst is Yep Tours, which has 10 buses with more than 200 violations. In total:
- Sagbus, Inc.
- Yep Tour, Inc.
- No. 1 Bus Tour, Inc.
- Safari Tour, Inc.
- Soe Tour, Inc.
- K Line Tours LLC, doing business as Funaway Tours
- Dahlia Group, Inc.
- Eastern Coach, Inc.
- Victoria’s Transportation Co., Inc., doing business as Victoria’s Tour & Co.
- Jet Tours USA, Inc., doing business as Sight Seeing Tours
Were named the worst of the worst in New York.
Efforts to Hold Companies Liable
State lawmakers are making efforts to hold these bus companies responsible for what their drivers do, and to make information more available to the public. For example, they want to double fines for bus operators who hide a driver’s DWI history from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bus accident last month involved a driver who had a history of DWI, yet this was kept from the DMV by the company.
Unfortunately, many of these companies operate from out of state, which makes enforcement of these laws more difficult than it should be, and opens up the possibility of future tragedies.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious accident with a tour bus, there are steps you can take to hold those responsible liable for their actions. First of all, do not sign anything offered to you by the bus’s insurance company, and contact an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you in any talks you may have with the company. Call Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, today at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your options.