New York City Municipal Bus Accident Lawyers
According to the New York Public Transit Association, more than half of all New Yorkers use public transportation. One of the city's most popular types of public transit is municipal buses. While bus travel is generally safe, human error can sometimes lead to terrible accidents that cause devastating injuries. If you were injured in a municipal bus accident in New York, you could be entitled to recover compensation for financial expenses and other damages you suffered in the wake of the crash. At Hach & Rose, LLP, our New York City bus accident lawyers understand the financial strain of medical bills and the rehabilitative care many accident victims face. If you can’t work while recovering, you and your family could quickly fall into debt. You deserve a chance to hold the at-fault parties accountable if you were injured due to negligence by the bus driver, carrier, or another entity. However, bringing a claim or lawsuit against a government entity like a municipality is difficult. You will only have a small window of time to take legal action, and municipal bus companies are famous for undervaluing bus accident claims where firms aren’t willing to go to trial to fight for your rights. You need an experienced trial lawyer who isn’t afraid to litigate your case if necessary. We have successfully recovered over half a billion dollars on behalf of our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation.Most Common Causes of New York City Municipal Bus Accidents
Numerous issues can cause municipal bus accidents, but human error and negligence usually play a role. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents in New York include:- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Intoxicated driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Failure to properly train and supervise drivers
- Negligent bus maintenance
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Collisions in which passengers on the bus or occupants of other vehicles are injured
- Buses striking pedestrians or bicyclists on the street
- The improper raising or lowering of the lift mechanism during boarding or exiting causing passengers to fall and injure themselves
- Failure to alight, where bus drivers let passengers out in an unsafe location, where they are hit by another vehicle or fall in a pothole
Who is Liable for a New York City Municipal Bus Accident?
The primary defendant in a New York City municipal bus accident lawsuit will usually be the NYC Transit Authority. However, other municipal bus companies could potentially be held liable as well, depending on the bus involved in the accident. These include the MTA Bus Company, MABSTOA, MTA Staten Island, and other municipal bus lines in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. While government entities often have sovereign immunity, which protects them from civil liability if a government or city employee causes an accident, exceptions exist. Many courts do not consider entities such as cities and municipalities to have sovereign immunity. Because municipal buses are part of public transit, you should be able to bring a claim against the municipal entity that operates the bus. Still, bringing a claim against the government is complex, so it’s best to seek an attorney’s advice. To bring a successful case, you’ll need to be able to back up your injury claim with evidence.Some common types of evidence you (or your attorney) may want to seek out include:
- Bus camera footage - Almost all buses owned by municipal entities in New York have internal and external cameras. If the bus had these cameras, it should have captured the accident. This footage can provide irrefutable proof of fault and significantly strengthen your case.
- Driver information - At the accident scene, you should collect identifying information such as the bus driver’s name, badge number, the bus line, and the bus route. As soon as possible after the crash, try to jot down notes about everything you can remember, including the direction the bus was traveling and the intersection closest to the accident scene.
- Any accident reports - If a bus is involved in an accident, a dispatcher will come to the scene to conduct an internal investigation and create a report. If law enforcement is called to the scene, they will create their own accident report, including descriptions of your injuries, an initial determination of fault, and witness contact information.
- Witness testimony - If any nearby witnesses saw the crash occur, you should ask for their contact information. Your attorney may contact them to give a statement or testify on your behalf at trial.
How Cameras on New York City Buses Could Help Your Case
As mentioned above, New York City Transit Authority buses now have video cameras. Cameras on New York buses can provide several benefits if a crash occurs. Some of these benefits include:
- Evidence: Cameras can capture footage of the crash, which can be used as evidence in investigations and court proceedings
- Accountability: Cameras can help determine who was at fault for the crash, which can lead to accountability for those involved
- Safety: Cameras can help identify and address any safety hazards on the bus, which can help prevent future crashes
- Insurance: Footage captured by cameras can be used to support insurance claims, which can help with the financial cost of a crash
- Deterrent: The presence of cameras may deter reckless or dangerous behavior on the bus, which can help to improve overall safety