MTA Bus Accidents: Filing a Notice of Claim

Getting hit by an MTA bus, or being injured as a passenger when one stops suddenly, throws your life off course in an instant. Between emergency room visits, missed work, and the stress of recovery, most people never expect that a legal deadline is already ticking in the background. Hill & Moin LLP wants every injured New Yorker to understand this deadline before it becomes a problem they cannot undo.

Unlike a crash with a private driver, a claim against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority follows special rules. You cannot simply sue. You must first file a document called a Notice of Claim, and you have far less time than you might assume.

What You Need to Know About the Notice of Claim Requirement

A Notice of Claim is a formal written notice, required under New York General Municipal Law § 50-e, that tells a government agency you intend to seek compensation from it. The MTA, NYC Transit Authority, and MTA Bus Company are all public entities, so this rule applies any time one of their buses causes an injury.

The notice gives the agency a chance to investigate your accident while evidence is still fresh and witnesses can still be located. Without it, a lawsuit against the MTA generally cannot move forward at all, no matter how clear the driver’s fault may be.

The 90-Day Deadline You Cannot Afford to Miss

New York law gives you just 90 days from the date of the accident to serve your Notice of Claim. This is dramatically shorter than the three years typically allowed in personal injury cases against private individuals.

The clock starts the day of the crash, not the day you finish treatment or discover the full extent of your injuries. Someone recovering from a broken hip or a concussion may not feel ready to think about paperwork, but the deadline does not pause for recovery.

You deserve a law firm that prioritizes your safety and recovery. Call Hill & Moin LLP in New York today to schedule your confidential, no-obligation consultation before this window closes.

Who Can File a Notice of Claim After an MTA Bus Accident

You do not need to have been a paying passenger to have a valid claim. New York law allows a Notice of Claim from anyone injured by an MTA bus, including:

• Passengers thrown by a sudden stop, turn, or collision
• Pedestrians struck at a crosswalk or bus stop
• Cyclists hit while riding in a bus lane or at an intersection
• Drivers and passengers in another vehicle involved in the crash
• Family members pursuing a wrongful death claim on behalf of someone who died in the crash

Each of these situations calls for its own strategy, and an experienced bus accident lawyer can help identify every party who may share responsibility for what happened.

Common Challenges People Face With MTA Claims

Filing against the MTA is more technical than most people expect, and small errors can carry heavy consequences. Some of the most common problems include:

• Serving the notice on the wrong subsidiary, since NYC Transit, MTA Bus Company, and the Long Island Rail Road are each separate legal entities
• Describing the accident too vaguely for the agency to investigate properly
• Missing the 90-day deadline entirely while focused on medical care
• Failing to keep proof that the notice was actually received

It is worth pausing here to acknowledge something that gets lost in the legal detail: you are not just managing paperwork, you are trying to hold your life together after an accident you did not cause. That pressure is real, and it is exactly why so many injured New Yorkers turn to Hill & Moin LLP rather than trying to navigate the MTA’s claims process alone.

Notice of Claim vs. Lawsuit: Understanding the Difference

Step	Notice of Claim	Lawsuit
Purpose	Formally notifies the MTA of your intent to seek compensation	Formally asks a court to award compensation
Deadline	90 days from the accident	1 year and 90 days from the accident
Where filed	Served on the specific MTA entity’s legal department	Filed with the appropriate New York court
What follows	The MTA may request a sworn 50-h hearing	Discovery, negotiation, and possibly trial

How to Know When You Should Contact a Lawyer for an MTA Bus Accident

If you were injured by an MTA bus in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, or Staten Island, the safest move is to speak with an attorney as soon as you are medically able. Waiting even a few weeks can shrink an already narrow window and make it harder to gather bus route information, surveillance footage, and witness statements.

Don’t wait, your future starts with one phone call.

What Happens After You File?

Once your Notice of Claim is served, the MTA has the right to conduct a 50-h hearing, which functions much like a deposition. Their attorneys can ask about the accident, your injuries, and your medical treatment. How you prepare for this hearing can shape the outcome of your entire case, which is why guidance from a knowledgeable New York injury attorney matters from the very first step.

Frequently Asked Questions About MTA Bus Accident Claims

Do I still have a claim if I was not a passenger? Yes. Pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers hit by an MTA bus can file a Notice of Claim just like passengers can.

What if the 90th day falls on a weekend or holiday? You generally have until the next business day, but it is never wise to rely on that cushion.

Can a late Notice of Claim ever be accepted? Courts allow late filing only in narrow circumstances, and approval is far from guaranteed.

How long do I have to actually file the lawsuit? Typically one year and 90 days from the accident date, following the initial Notice of Claim period.

Why This Matters for Your Rights and Your Future

An MTA bus accident can affect your health, your income, and your family’s stability for months or years to come. The Notice of Claim is the first, and one of the most unforgiving, steps toward holding a public authority accountable for that harm.

When your health, livelihood, or family’s future is on the line, every decision matters. Call Hill & Moin LLP today and take the first step toward financial recovery and peace of mind. Speak with a trusted New York injury attorney at Hill & Moin LLP, your future deserves protection.

This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific accident, consult a licensed attorney. Filing information on Notice of Claim procedures against New York City agencies is also available through NYC.gov.