Cases We Handle Bus Accidents

New York City Bus Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one were injured in a bus accident, it is important that you contact an experienced NYC Bus and MTA Accident attorney to understand your legal rights before you file a claim or speak to an insurance adjuster. Bus injury attorney, Brian J. O’Connor, is available 7 days a week to answer your questions and offers a free case evaluation.

Causes of New York City Bus Accidents

On an average weekday, almost 2.5 million New Yorkers ride an MTA City bus to help them get to work, school or other destinations. Thousands of tourists also ride buses on a daily basis throughout the City on sightseeing tours or to just get them to their next destination. While traveling by bus is one of the safest means of travel, sometimes accidents happen. According to data from the MTA, almost 22,000 bus crashes, collisions and other incidents occurred over a 31-month period between 2015 and 2018 – an average of 677 a month, almost 23 per day. During that same time period, approximately 2,520 people were injured with 14 deaths. These numbers do not include bus collisions involving private bus companies.

While bus accidents can happen for many different reasons, most accident causes are driver-related. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most common driver-related causes of bus accidents include:

• Speeding
• Impairment (fatigue, alcohol, illness)
• Failure to yield right of way
• Failure to keep in proper lane
• Distracted driving/Inattention
• Failure to obey traffic signs/traffic control devices
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Making improper turns
• Following too closely

Who Will My New York City Bus Accident Attorney Hold Responsible for My Injuries? 

Depending on the circumstances of your accident and the type of bus that caused your injuries, the responsible parties can vary. If you were injured on a City MTA bus, there are special rules and shorter time limits that must be followed, similar to other municipal negligence claims, including filing a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident. Private bus companies will have insurance companies that fight hard to deny responsibility and downplay your injuries. In addition to the bus owners and operators, other responsible parties include:

• The bus driver (as an employee) and any other negligent drivers
• The private bus company/owner
• The MTA/MTA Bus Company/MABSTOA as bus owner/operator
• Bus and equipment manufacturers
• The City of New York for possible defective traffic control devices and roadway design and maintenance factors

Bus Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

Due to the size and weight, as well as the large capacity of passengers, bus accidents can cause serious, sometimes catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims. Injuries caused by bus accidents can include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Fractures and Broken Bones
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death

Our Bus Injury Attorneys Will Fight To Get The Compensation You Deserve

Bus accidents can affect an injury victim’s life in many ways. An experienced NYC Bus Accident lawyer will make sure you are compensated for your losses which could include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Therapy
• Loss of income (past and future)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering

Bus accidents can be complex and often require accident reconstruction experts to assist in determining the events which caused the accident. It is crucial to have an experienced NYC Bus and MTA Accident attorney in your corner to help protect your rights and fight for what you deserve. At The O’Connor Law Firm, we investigate all potential causes of bus accidents and retain qualified experts to assist in evaluating the liability of all potential parties to help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York City bus accident, contact The O’Connor Law Firm at 212-566-4868 or 718-948-3500 to get answers to your questions and learn how we can help you. We offer free case evaluations at our Manhattan and Staten Island offices with no obligations and there is never a fee unless we win your case. We can also come to you if you are too injured to travel.