New York Bus Accident Attorney

Many New Yorkers get around on their cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. Meanwhile, other residents and their children rely on public and school buses to get to where they need to go every day, and tour buses make it possible to travel within New York City and throughout the state. 

New York transit may be useful, but it is not without its problems. One of the biggest issues bus companies face is the risk of bus accidents. In 2019, 447,021 motor vehicle crashes had catastrophic results, including property damage, personal injury, and death.

Caring relatives can provide much-need comfort and support during challenging times, but you may require additional support. At Hill & Moin, you may find that the helpful services of a compassionate bus accident lawyer make you feel as if you have a professional attorney “in the family.” Call our law firm at (212) 688-6000 to find out what steps a bus accident lawyer may take to pursue the justice and financial compensation you deserve. 

Devastating Mistakes Made By New York Bus Drivers

A 40-foot, fully loaded city bus could weigh between 20,000 and 44,000 pounds. With a large and heavy vehicle under their control, MTA and other bus drivers must be careful to drive as safely as possible. Even a simple error, such as the following, could change many lives.

Ignoring traffic laws

The safety of everyone on the road depends on motorists obeying traffic laws. Bus accident attorneys can investigate to learn whether your NYC bus accident occurred because the bus driver broke important traffic regulations.

This is imperative, especially since bus drivers are required to observe:

• Right-of-way laws: These laws govern who should yield when motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists encounter one another at intersections and crosswalks.
• Speed limits: Limiting speed could reduce the risk and severity of bus accidents. Yet, drivers face the challenges of sticking to the schedule set for their route. If they are running behind schedule, they might drive faster than they should. 
• School zones: School buses must take care near schools while they are in session. A school bus driver must obey posted speed limits in school zones with or without flashing beacons. 
• Road signs and signals: Stop signs and traffic lights, along with other signals, keep traffic moving in an orderly fashion. A school bus with or without children must stop at all railroad crossings in New York, NY.

Your NYC bus accident could have happened because the bus driver broke the law. Bus accident attorneys are able to investigate the circumstances of each individual crash to determine whether their clients are eligible to file a personal injury case.

Disregarding commercial driver regulations

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) regulates a 5000-square-mile travel area that encompasses New York City and stretches through Long Island, southeastern New York, and Connecticut. Like all bus companies, the MTA requires that commercial drivers meet specific regulations.

The MTA is subject to the following three regulations (among others):

1. MTA bus operators must hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). CDL licenses must be kept current. Some holders must also submit a medical certificate.
2. New York and federal law require commercial drivers to take periodic 30-minute breaks. Failure to do so could result in them becoming drowsy.
3. FMCSA restricts the number of consecutive hours and days an MTA bus driver can be on duty. Passenger-carrying MTA bus drivers usually have a shorter limit than property-carrying drivers (i.e.truckers)

Operating a bus while fatigued

Though anyone can get sleepy while driving, commercial drivers are especially vulnerable. Being drowsy could have the following effects on a bus operator:

• Slowed reaction time
• Impaired vision
• Poor judgment
• Delayed information processing

Bus accident lawyers could seek compensation for you if behaviors associated with drowsy driving (e.g. tailgating, swerving or drifting between lanes, missing traffic signals) increased the probability of your bus accident. 

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Drunk drivers may injure themselves and others on the road. Alcohol impairs:

• Muscle coordination
• Reaction time
• Depth perception
• Night vision
• Judgment and inhibition

Bus accident cases may be brought against drivers who exceed the maximum allowable blood alcohol content (BAC) level. In New York, the BAC limit is .04 to .06 for drivers of commercial vehicles like buses and tractor-trailers. 

Drug use also contributes to New York bus accidents. Both legal and illegal substances may cause drowsiness or poor judgment that could affect a driver’s ability to safely operate his or her vehicle.

Reach out to the New York personal injury lawyers at Hill & Moin if alcohol or any of the following drugs may have played a role in your bus accident injuries:

• Amphetamines
• Narcotics
• Cold medicines
• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter medicines

Allowing distractions to divert attention from the road

While staying alert is always essential when driving, work zones, cliffs, and roadside obstacles may call for extra vigilance. Bus drivers must contend with potential distractions that we may not even have ever considered.

Common distractions for bus drivers include:

• Passengers 
• Radio, temperature control, and other adjustable features
• Food or drink
• Cell phones
• Billboards and advertisements
• Navigation systems
• Daydreams
• Other accidents
• In-vehicle communication equipment (e.g. dispatch receivers)

It would only take a moment for a bus driven by a distracted driver to injure or kill someone. A New York State attorney can inform you of your rights if you were injured in a distracted driver accident.

Failing to drive safely for current conditions 

New York weather can change suddenly, creating adverse conditions for bus drivers. For example, rain, sleet, and snow may accumulate on the road and the surface becomes slippery. A bus could hydroplane if it loses traction, leaving the driver unable to steer or brake. 

Strong winds, fog, and other adverse weather conditions could affect the steering ability and visibility of buses. Drivers must learn what to do in different climates. In some cases, they might decide to park their vehicles until the weather or road conditions improve.

Road conditions must be taken into consideration when driving buses. A responsible driver would adjust his or her speed based on traction, the steepness of the grade, and the total weight of the vehicle and its cargo and passengers.

Consequences of Bus Company Negligence

Regardless of how well a bus driver performs, an NYC bus accident could occur if a busy company like MTA neglects its duties, which include:

• Maintenance: Keeping a bus in proper working order is no easy task for a bus company. The bus should be inspected often and repaired promptly. A bus maintenance inspection checklist might include brakes, lights, fluid levels, the engine, tires, and other parts.

• Training: Operating a bus can be very different from driving a car. A bus company should arrange for employees to receive proper training before they get behind the wheel of a bus. 

Injury victims can attest that the consequences of a bus accident may be dire. In view of this, personal injury attorneys understand the urgency of getting compensated for your injuries as soon as possible. Talk with one of Hill & Moin’s representatives anytime to schedule your free city bus accident consultation at (212) 668-6000.

The Cost and Damages of New York Bus Accidents

As a victim of a New York bus accident, what economical losses have you faced? NYC bus accident lawyers could help you recover what you lost by means of a personal injury claim. 

For over 60 years, Hill & Moin’s network of personal injury attorneys has combated injustice and restored security to accident victims by achieving extraordinary settlements in New York, NY, and beyond. When we take on your case, we may be able to help you get compensation for the following damages.

Medical expenses

Victims injured in a bus accident could experience serious injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Burns, cuts, and bruises
• Disfiguring amputations

Medical attention in New York can cost thousands of dollars per day. Surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescription drugs only add to the bills. Soon, you may find that medical bills are becoming almost as stressful as your physical pain and suffering.

If this is your experience, why not turn to our experienced New York bus accident lawyers for valuable advice? Insurance companies could undervalue, delay, or even deny your claim if you act without the right knowledge and experience to back you up. Rather than take that chance, discover what you need to know during your free accident case consultation with our New York City law firm.

Lost wages

Lost wages do not have to disappear forever. Taking time off your job is likely an integral part of your recovery from your injuries. Missing wages could make it hard to recuperate for as long as you need. 

People injured in bus accidents are often entitled to compensation for both past and anticipated lost income. Ask your bus accident lawyer for details.

Property damage

Was your vehicle damaged in a bus accident? In New York City and throughout the state, insurance companies pay claims to repair and replace cars involved in crashes.

Yet, to ensure that you get maximum value for your property damage, you should file a legal claim. Your attorney can explain how much you are owed and how the law protects your rights to property damage compensation. 

Pain and suffering

Those injured in bus accidents know that trauma may affect their physical and psychological state of well-being. You may be entitled to claim losses related to accident-related life changes (e.g. depression, loss of mobility, anxiety, loss of sexual function). 

To learn more, leave us a message about your New York bus accident injuries. Someone will get in touch with you to discuss your legal options.

Funeral expenses and wrongful death compensation

There are many types of buses that New Yorkers trust to transport their loved ones. If your loved one boarded a city bus or a school bus, you might have looked forward to meeting again in a few hours. If that person took a private bus or a tour bus, he or she could have returned with stories to share about their journey – had a preventable accident not occurred.

Instead, your loved one is gone, and you must face one of the most difficult situations of the human experience. At Hill & Moin LLP, we believe that bus accident lawyers should seek justice for victims with the same resolve as they would for their own relatives.

Our law firm is prepared to use our decades of professional experience to take on wrongful death cases. Surviving family members could qualify to claim funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for the pain and suffering their family members faced after the accident before they passed away.

Why Come Talk to Hill & Moin LLP

If you were injured while on the New York City Transit Authority, riding an MTA bus, or in a private vehicle, it might seem impossible to get justice for your injuries on your own. And with dozens of bus accident lawyers in New York City, it may seem unclear which law firm prioritizes their clients’ welfare. 

At Hill & Moin, we encourage you to consider our record of settlements. Our clients value our confidence and success in litigating even the most complex personal injury cases. 

What extraordinary results await you? Bus companies do not want you to know; an insurance company might hide the truth. Yet, the legal team of Hill & Moin can inform you of your legal options and either represent you in seeking the justice you deserve for your injuries or refer you to another law firm that can better meet your needs.

Learn how a bus accident lawyer may achieve your Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ by calling (212) 668-6000 or leaving a message for our New York City team today.

Don’t wonder about your rights!