Bus crashes in NYC often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of buses, the lack of seatbelts for passengers, and the sudden stops and starts common in city traffic. If you were hurt in a wreck, a Manhattan bus accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
The legal landscape for bus accident claims differs significantly from standard car accident cases. Public transit accidents involve specific notice requirements, shorter filing deadlines, and unique liability considerations that require experienced legal representation.
Call the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at 914-220-1088 to discuss your bus accident case.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler for Your Manhattan Bus Accident Case
Your Manhattan bus accident case demands an attorney who understands both the complex legal landscape of transit liability and the personal impact these injuries have on your life.
The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler treats you as an individual with a unique story, not just another case file.
Local Knowledge of Manhattan Transit Routes and Accident Patterns
The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler brings nearly 20 years of experience handling complex vehicle accident cases throughout Manhattan, from the congested streets of Midtown to the FDR Drive.
Our attorneys understand the specific hazards of Manhattan’s bus routes, from the busy M15 Select Bus Service along First and Second Avenues, to the crosstown M14 routes through the Village, to the high-risk intersections surrounding the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Personalized Attention
Unlike large firms that process bus accident claims in bulk, we treat each client as an individual with a unique story of injury and recovery. Your case receives direct attention from Jason B. Kessler himself, not passed off to junior associates or paralegals.
We take time to understand how your injuries affect your daily life, whether you're a commuter who relies on public transit to reach your job in the Financial District or a resident navigating between Manhattan neighborhoods.
Strategic Approach to Complex Transit Liability Cases
Our firm combines aggressive advocacy with strategic case development to maximize compensation for bus accident victims. Our comprehensive approach has helped us recover millions of dollars for injury victims across New York City.
We investigate beyond the official Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) incident report, gathering surveillance footage from nearby businesses and interviewing witnesses who left the scene.
Accessible Communication Throughout Your Recovery
We maintain offices in Manhattan, Queens, and White Plains to serve clients throughout the metropolitan area. You can meet with us at our Manhattan location without traveling far from your medical appointments or physical therapy sessions.
We also offer flexible consultation options, including virtual meetings for clients still recovering from serious injuries. Contact the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at 914-220-1088 to schedule your free consultation about your Manhattan bus accident case.
Types of Bus Accidents in Manhattan
Each type of bus operating in Manhattan presents unique dangers and liability considerations that affect your injury claim. Our experience with different accident scenarios helps identify responsible parties and build stronger cases for compensation.
MTA Bus Collisions
MTA buses navigate Manhattan's streets 24 hours a day, creating numerous opportunities for accidents with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. These massive vehicles struggle with blind spots at every intersection, particularly along busy corridors like Fifth Avenue and Broadway.
Common MTA bus accident scenarios in Manhattan include:
- Pedestrian Strikes at Bus Stops: Buses pulling in and out of stops along Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue sometimes hit waiting passengers or passing pedestrians.
- Intersection Crashes: Buses making wide turns at Manhattan intersections like 42nd and Eighth Avenue often collide with vehicles in adjacent lanes.
- Rear-End Collisions: Frequent stops along routes like the M101 through East Harlem can lead to crashes, as following vehicles are unable to stop in time.
- Sudden Braking Injuries: Passengers standing in crowded buses may fall and sustain injuries when drivers brake hard to avoid obstacles.
Private Charter and Tour Bus Crashes
Manhattan attracts millions of tourists annually, with private tour buses constantly circulating between Times Square, Central Park, and other attractions. These vehicles, operated by companies like Gray Line and Big Bus Tours, present unique accident risks.
Double-decker tour buses pose particular dangers with their high center of gravity and open upper decks. Low-clearance bridges and overpasses throughout Manhattan, especially along the parkways, create collision risks for these tall vehicles.
School Bus Accidents
Although less common than MTA crashes, school bus accidents in Manhattan affect our most vulnerable population. Private schools throughout the Upper East Side and Upper West Side rely on contracted bus services that navigate narrow residential streets during morning and afternoon rush hours.
Determining Liability in Manhattan Bus Accident Cases
Pursuing claims against the MTA involves navigating New York's strict requirements for suing government entities. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of your accident.
This notice must include specific details about your accident, injuries, and the amount of damages you seek.
The MTA may bear liability for accidents caused by:
- Driver Negligence: Speeding, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws while operating buses constitutes negligence.
- Inadequate Training: Failing to train drivers on safety protocols and Manhattan-specific route hazards properly may lead to accidents.
- Poor Maintenance: Neglecting brake repairs, tire replacements, or other mechanical issues may contribute to accidents.
- Dangerous Conditions: The MTA may be responsible for failing to address known hazards at bus stops or along regular routes.
Private Bus Company Responsibility
Private bus operators serving Manhattan face standard negligence liability for accidents their drivers cause. These companies often carry higher insurance coverage than individual drivers but aggressively defend against injury claims.
Tour bus companies, charter services, and private shuttle operators all owe duties of care to passengers and other road users.
Third-Party Driver Liability
Many bus accidents involve other vehicles whose drivers share fault for the crash. A car cutting off a bus on Park Avenue or running a red light at Columbus Circle may bear primary responsibility for resulting injuries.
Our investigation examines all potentially liable parties to maximize available compensation for your injuries.
Pursuing Compensation With a Manhattan Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus accident victims in Manhattan may recover various types of damages depending on their injuries and the circumstances of the crash. New York's no-fault insurance laws apply to bus accidents, meaning your own auto insurance or the bus operator's insurance initially covers medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits.
However, meeting New York's serious injury threshold allows you to pursue additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Available compensation includes:
- Medical Expenses: You may pursue payment for current medical bills as well as future costs for surgery, physical therapy, and pain management.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Time spent recovering from injuries can lead to immediate financial losses, and lasting impairments could reduce your future earning capacity. Your claim addresses these losses.
- Pain and Suffering Damages: You may pursue compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional distress from your injuries.
- Loss of Life Enjoyment: Compensation addresses activities and experiences you can no longer participate in, from recreational pursuits to simple daily pleasures affected by your injuries.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After an NYC Bus Wreck
Insurance companies representing bus operators try to minimize claim payments. They know bus accidents often involve multiple injured parties competing for limited insurance coverage, creating pressure for quick, low settlements.
Adjusters may contact you immediately after your accident, seeking recorded statements before you understand the full extent of your injuries. They may offer quick settlements that seem substantial but fail to account for future medical needs or long-term impacts.
Some insurers dispute the severity of injuries common in bus accidents, arguing that low-speed collisions cannot cause serious harm.
How a Manhattan Bus Accident Lawyer Protects You
The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler protects clients from insurance company strategies. We handle all communication with insurers, ensuring you don't inadvertently harm your case through misunderstood questions or premature statements.
Our experience with bus accident claims helps us anticipate insurer arguments and build strong counter-evidence supporting your need for fair compensation. We negotiate from a position of strength, backed by thorough investigation and medical documentation.
If insurers refuse reasonable settlements, we're prepared to take your case to trial in the Manhattan Supreme Court. Our willingness to litigate often motivates better settlement offers from companies wanting to avoid jury trials in plaintiff-friendly New York City venues.
New York Laws Affecting Manhattan Bus Accident Claims
Victims must navigate specific New York laws that directly impact their ability to recover compensation. These legal frameworks determine everything from how quickly you must act to how much compensation you can receive based on your role in the accident.
A Manhattan bus accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler guides clients through these legal requirements while building strong cases for maximum compensation.
New York's Deadline for Bus Accident Claims
Time limits for Manhattan bus accident claims vary dramatically based on whether a public entity or private company operated the bus. MTA and New York City Transit accidents require filing a Notice of Claim within just 90 days, followed by a lawsuit within one year and 90 days of the accident.
Private bus companies, tour operators, and charter services follow New York's standard three-year personal injury statute of limitations.
Pure Comparative Negligence
New York's pure comparative negligence law allows bus accident victims to recover damages even when partially at fault for their injuries. Your compensation simply gets reduced by your percentage of fault.
This rule applies whether you were a passenger who wasn't holding handrails, a pedestrian crossing mid-block when struck, or a driver who contributed to a collision with a bus.
FAQ for Manhattan Bus Accident Lawyer
What Makes Bus Accident Cases Different From Car Accident Cases in Manhattan?
Bus accident cases involve unique legal complexities. The 90-day Notice of Claim requirement for MTA accidents demands immediate action, while multiple injured passengers from the same accident create competing claims for limited insurance coverage.
Bus accidents also lack individual police reports for each injured passenger, making evidence preservation crucial. Additionally, commercial vehicle regulations and higher insurance requirements apply to many bus operators, potentially increasing available compensation.
How Long Does a Manhattan Bus Accident Settlement Take?
Bus accident settlements vary widely in timeline depending on injury severity and liability disputes. Simple cases with clear fault and moderate injuries might settle within months after completing medical treatment.
Complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple liable parties, or disputes over fault may take much longer. MTA claims often move more slowly due to bureaucratic processes and the required waiting period after filing your Notice of Claim.
What if I Were Standing on the Bus When It Crashed?
Standing passengers frequently suffer the most severe injuries in bus accidents since they lack any restraints or protection during impact. New York law recognizes that buses require passengers to stand when seats aren't available, and standing doesn't constitute negligence on your part.
Document where you were standing, what you were holding onto, and how the accident caused your fall. These details help establish the mechanism of injury and support your damage claims.
Can I Still File a Claim if I Didn't Call the Police to the Scene?
Yes, you can pursue a bus accident claim even without a police report, though it requires different evidence-gathering strategies. Bus drivers often don't call police for passenger injuries unless the bus collides with another vehicle.
Focus on obtaining the MTA incident report, gathering witness information, securing surveillance footage, and documenting your injuries through immediate medical treatment. Your Manhattan bus accident lawyer can help reconstruct the accident using available evidence and testimony.
Should I Accept the MTA's First Settlement Offer?
Initial settlement offers from the MTA or their insurance carriers rarely reflect your claim's true value, particularly before you complete medical treatment and understand your injuries' full impact.
Early offers often exclude future medical expenses, ongoing therapy costs, and pain and suffering compensation. Insurance companies know injured passengers face financial pressure from medical bills and missed work and use this knowledge to push inadequate settlements.
Having an experienced Manhattan bus accident lawyer review any offer ensures you understand what you're giving up by accepting and whether the amount fairly compensates your losses.
Get the Legal Help You Need
Bus accidents in Manhattan present unique challenges requiring experienced legal guidance. The strict deadlines for MTA claims, complex liability issues with multiple defendants, and aggressive insurance company tactics demand prompt action to protect your rights.
The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler combines nearly 20 years of personal injury experience with deep knowledge of New York's transit liability laws. Let our firm handle the legal complexities while you concentrate on healing from your injuries.
Contact the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at 914-220-1088 for your free consultation about your Manhattan bus accident case.