New York City Bus Accident Lawyer
Every day thousands of people filter through New York City’s bus systems. These bus systems make it easy for residents and visitors to get around. Those who make the conscious choice to ride a bus reap the benefits by saving economically and enhance the environment.
Although using New York City buses is generally viewed as a smarter choice, as a bus passenger you are still placing your safety into the hands of bus operators, mechanics, and other people. Thousands of people use New York City’s buses without incident, however, accidents can and do happen. It is without question that every year, thousands of people are seriously injured, or even killed, in bus accidents. A huge majority of these accidents are the result of negligent operation of a bus. People are usually hurt when a bus operator is negligent, fails to yield the right of way to a pedestrian, and the bus operator violates the rules of the road.
Due to their massive size, buses have the potential of causing devastating injuries to other drivers, their own passengers, and pedestrians. These people may sustain life-altering injuries, such as broken bones, amputations, severe head trauma, laceration, burns and even death. At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., our New York City bus accident lawyer understand the destructive nature that bus accidents have on people’s lives. We focus on helping our clients overcome the financial problems associated with a bus accident, while they spend their time recuperating and getting better. We help our clients recover for their:
- Hospital stays
- Medical procedures undergone for their injuries
- Medications needed
- Rehabilitation required
- Property damage incurred
- Pain and suffering
- Wages lost while unable to work
How We Can Help
In the event you or a loved one is involved in a bus accident, one of the major hurdles in bringing a lawsuit is figuring out who is responsible for your accident. There are many bus operators, and some use names interchangeably to confuse claimants and make it difficult to identify and sue the correct persons. New York City has a number of bus entities, including The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MABSTOA), and The New York City Transit Authority (New York CityTA), and the MTA Bus Company. New York CityTA alone, operates the world’s largest fleet of buses, 4,525 public buses, and serves over 600 million people per year. It is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a bus accident so we can identify the responsible parties and timely file a notice of claim and a summons and complaint against the correct parties. If the bus is owned or operated by a municipality or public authority, there are specific laws which require that a notice of claim be filed against them, and that a summons and complaint be filed in a shorter period of time.
Notice Of Claim
In a bus accident involving a New York City Transit Authority bus, an injured passenger or pedestrian must timely file a notice of claim against the proper parties. Bus companies and their operators may be liable when the bus accident involves:
- Speeding
- Checking lanes illegally
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield the right away
- Bus driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Sudden and violent acceleration or deceleration of the bus
- Bus driver was texting and driving
To ensure that your case is successfully prosecuted, it is critical that you select an experienced bus accident lawyer. We represent many clients who were seriously injured in bus-motor vehicle accidents, and fully understand what it takes to win your case.
At our firm, we help a variety of clients who are seeking personal injury compensation after suffering an accident on a bus. We also work with tourists who have experienced an injury while riding a bus. Email us at Michael Gunzburg, P.C., today. We stand ready to help you. Our initial consultation is free, and there are no fees unless we are successful. Take advantage of three decades of bus accident experience, and let us put our time, efforts and financial resources to work for you. When you need a lawyer, get the BIG GUNZ®
Recent Case Success
We recently successfully resolved a pedestrian bus accident in Bronx County for $1.5 million. This case involved Betty, a 44-year-old pediatrician, who boarded a public bus, which stopped along the intersection of Archer Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard, in Jamaica, Queens, and fell violently to the ground when the bus operator suddenly and without any warning abruptly accelerated the bus causing serious injuries to Betty’s right knee. Although, Betty was holding onto one of the safety poles before the bus violently lurched forward, the acceleration was so abrupt that it caused her to fall and land on her knee. When Betty fell she remained on the floor crying for help but the bus driver refused to respond. Betty presented to a local hospital the next morning, and X-rays revealed swelling of her right knee, and several days later an MRI scan revealed complex tears of the knee’s lateral meniscus. Initially, Betty underwent vigorous physical therapy, but her treatment worsened the condition of her right knee and she decided to undergo an arthroscopic surgery to address her knee issues. The surgery was followed by 12 additional weeks of physical therapy. This incident caused Betty to suffer from residual pain and limitations that restricts her lifestyle and substantially impairs her ability to care for her young son. She continues to recuperate from her injuries.
Avoiding A Bus Accident
If you would like to avoid getting into a bus accident, we suggest that you follow these guidelines:
- Wait for the bus in a safe and designated waiting area away from traffic and the street.
- Make sure to wait until the bus makes a complete stop and the driver signals for you to enter.
- Ask the bus operator to lower the bus to help you get in and get off the bus.
- Use the designated handrails and poles to enter the bus, and while riding it.
- When exiting a bus, make sure to walk at least 10 steps away from the bus. This makes it a lot easier for the bus driver to see you.
- Be aware of any traffic around you as you exit the bus.
If you or a loved were involved in a bus accident, please call 212-725-8500 or contact us today. We are here to help you. The initial call and consultation is free, and there are no legal fees unless we are successful. Let us be your bus accident lawyer today.
