Brooklyn Bus Accident Lawyers

Put Decades of Experience on Your Side with Our Bus Accident Attorneys in Brooklyn

Millions of people in New York City use the public transportation system every day, including the MTA bus system. If you have been injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to compensate you for your pain and suffering.

We understand that navigating the aftermath of a bus accident can be daunting. Our team of dedicated professionals at Belushin Law Firm, P.C. can guide you through each step of the legal process. We commit to standing by your side, leveraging our extensive understanding of New York's complex traffic laws to build a robust case tailored to your unique situation.

The Brooklyn bus accident lawyers at Belushin Law Firm, P.C. are experienced in handling all types of personal injury claims and can assist you with your case. Since 2002, our legal team has recovered millions of dollars for our clients.

Let our bus accident attorney in Brooklyn, NY, support you. Call us at (888) 918-9890 to learn more and schedule a free consultation.

New York Bus Accident Statistics

The traffic congestion and the high number of buses in New York make accidents an unfortunately common occurrence in the city. Bus accidents in New York most often involve public buses and school buses.

Here are some statistics about bus accidents in New York:

• According to the New York Post, "MTA [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] buses racked up at least 21,823 crashes, collisions, and other mishaps over 31 months beginning in 2015 — an average of 23 per day."
• MTA accidents from 2015 to 2018 resulted in approximately 2.7 injuries per day, or 2,520 total injury victims, in addition to at least 14 deaths.
• "School buses were involved in at least 180 accidents," from 2015 to 2018.

Common Types of Bus Accidents

Buses are used for a multitude of purposes, both to transfer passengers and cargo. There are a variety of different types of bus accidents, each with their own liable parties and methods for recovering compensation for resulting injuries.

The most common types of bus accidents include:

• Public transportation bus accidents — A public bus accident can injure a number of passengers and other drivers. The city and/or bus company could be liable for collision damages, in addition to the driver.
• School bus accidents — In a school bus accident case, multiple different parties could be liable for the resulting damages. The school is responsible for hiring competent drivers and monitoring their behavior, so any oversight in those responsibilities could be evidence of the school's liability. If it is a public school bus, it is possible that the school district or municipality could be liable too.
• Cargo/freight bus accidents — A cargo bus accident won't result in any passenger injuries but can cause harm to other drivers. Buses that are carrying toxic chemicals, heavy equipment, or other dangerous cargo can cause additional damage.

In these types of bus accident cases, it is possible that victims can be either passengers or people who are driving in their own vehicle and collide with a bus. All victims of bus accidents may qualify for compensation, but people who are driving may be able to file a claim with their own insurance company in addition to pursuing compensation through the bus company.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in New York

In addition, sometimes pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles are struck by an MTA bus. If you have been injured in any of these situations due to a bus driver's negligence, you are entitled to file a claim to compensate you for your pain and suffering.

Bus accident injuries occur for many different reasons, including the following:

Reckless behavior by drivers, including distracted or impaired driving, significantly contributes to bus accidents. Factors such as running red lights, using mobile devices while driving, or operating under the influence compromise safety. Additionally, mechanical failures due to neglected maintenance can also result in accidents, highlighting the critical need for regular bus inspections. In Brooklyn, with its intricate road design and busy intersections, such factors amplify the risk of accidents, necessitating heightened awareness and preventive measures.

Proving the cause of an accident is critical to proving liability. If you've been seriously injured in a bus accident, get the legal help you need by contacting an experienced Brooklyn bus accident attorney.

Who is Liable in a Bus Accident?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question because each accident is different. Determining who is responsible for an injury is critical to recovering damages.

In New York, there are a number of potential defendants who could be held responsible for a bus accident, including:

• Bus driver: The driver may be liable if negligence, such as speeding, distraction, or fatigue, caused the accident.
• Other drivers: A third-party driver can be responsible if their actions contributed to or caused the collision.
• Maintenance companies: Companies tasked with maintaining the bus may be liable if poor upkeep or failure to repair defects led to the accident.
• Manufacturers: The manufacturer may be responsible if a defective part or design flaw contributed to the crash.
• Management companies: Management companies can be liable for improper hiring, training, or supervision of drivers.
• City or state governments: Government entities may be held accountable if the accident involved a public bus or hazardous road conditions.

As you can see, there are a number of complex factors that go into a bus injury claim, but with the help of an experienced Brooklyn bus accident lawyer, you can make sure that you recover maximum compensation.

What to Do Immediately After a Bus Accident in Brooklyn

If you find yourself involved in a bus accident in Brooklyn, knowing the steps to take immediately can significantly influence the outcome of your case. First, prioritize your safety and that of others by moving to a safe area, if possible, and checking for injuries. Call 911 to report the accident and get medical assistance, even if injuries appear minor at first.

Gathering evidence is critical. Take pictures of the accident scene, documenting the bus, other vehicles involved, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses, as their testimonies can be invaluable in a legal claim. It's also advisable to file a report with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) if a public bus is involved, as they will conduct their own investigation. Involving a bus accident lawyer in Brooklyn early on can help protect your interests, as they can guide you in preserving evidence and managing communications with insurers or other responsible parties.

Filing a Bus Accident Claim

When filing a bus accident claim, there are many different types of evidence available that can support your case. Buses are almost always owned and operated by a public entity, so bus accident injury victims (and their legal teams) can access many different records to exhibit negligence.

In addition to traditional forms of evidence such as witness testimonies and police reports, data from onboard black boxes or GPS tracking systems can offer critical insights into the bus's speed and movement patterns at the time of the accident. Such sophisticated tools can significantly bolster a case by providing an accurate, technical breakdown of the events leading up to the accident.

Employment documents, maintenance records, and trip logs could be recovered from the bus driver's employer. If their employer is a city or school, additional documentation and accident reports could be available.

Of course, the forms of evidence that are available in all vehicle collision claims can also apply to bus accident claims. There could be a police report of the car accident, witness accounts, and video footage taken from traffic cameras. Many public buses also have cameras installed inside the vehicles, so that footage could be useful as well.

In your claim, our Brooklyn bus accident attorneys may be able to utilize evidence such as:

• The police report
• Video footage
• Trip logs
• The driver/company's accident history documents
• The driver's application or information from previous employment

Frequently Asked Questions

What Compensation Can I Recover from a Bus Accident Claim?

You may recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). The total amount depends on the severity of injuries and the circumstances of the accident.

How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Brooklyn?

In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from bus accidents, is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, this period can be shorter in cases involving a government entity, such as when a public bus is involved and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a defendant. In such scenarios, you may be required to submit a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident.

How Is Fault Determined in a Bus Accident?

Determining fault in a bus accident involves a thorough investigation of the incident, considering various potential causes and responsible parties. Factors such as driver negligence, violation of traffic laws, road conditions, and mechanical failures are analyzed. At-fault determinations may involve reviewing evidence from police reports, eyewitness accounts, traffic camera footage, and expert reconstructions.

In New York, which follows a "comparative negligence" rule, a victim's compensation can be affected by their degree of fault. This means if a victim is found partially responsible, their compensation may be reduced accordingly. For instance, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by that percentage.

Injured in a Bus Accident in Brooklyn, NY? Call Us

If you have been injured in some kind of bus accident, please make sure you contact the authorities to initiate an investigation. If you were a passenger on a bus, you will want to make sure all relevant witnesses are interviewed before leaving the scene.

Make sure you are treated for your injuries, and then call us. We have obtained millions of dollars for past clients and are prepared to get you the maximum compensation possible.

It's crucial to act swiftly, as evidence can become harder to collect over time. Witness memories may fade, and physical evidence may be altered or lost. By reaching out to our team, you're ensuring that your case gets the immediate attention and detail it requires, giving you the best chance of a successful outcome.

Contact Belushin Law Firm, to hire an experienced Brooklyn bus accident lawyer and get your free initial case consultation!