An accident involving a city bus can be an intimidating event that pits you against a powerful government or corporate entity. A Queens bus accident lawyer is the advocate you need to level the playing field, navigate the complex rules, and fight for your rights.
You must act quickly. Claims against city entities like the MTA have extremely short deadlines, sometimes as little as 90 days. Miss that deadline, and you lose your right to compensation forever.
Call the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at (914) 220-1088 immediately for a free, urgent review of your case.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Us for Your Queens Bus Accident Lawyer
- Why You Need To Act Swiftly
- Legal Options for All Bus Accident Victims
- Proving Negligence in a Bus Accident Claim
- Available Compensation in a Queens Bus Crash Lawsuit
- FAQ for Queens Bus Accident Lawyer
- Don't Let the System Ruin Your Claim
Why Choose Us for Your Queens Bus Accident Lawyer
When your opponent is the NYC Transit Authority (MTA), Nassau County (NICE), or a massive private bus corporation, you need a law firm that isn’t afraid of a tough fight. You need a team with the specific knowledge to handle the unique rules and aggressive tactics involved in these claims.
The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler has the experience and determination to take on these powerful entities and win.
We’re Not Afraid of a Fight
Many people believe that suing a government agency like the MTA is impossible, since they’re armed with an army of lawyers and protected by special laws. They don’t intimidate us. Our firm regularly files claims and lawsuits against government bodies.
We know the procedures, paperwork, and pressure points. We handle the bureaucracy so you can focus on your recovery. We’re prepared for the MTA's tactics and are committed to holding them accountable for their negligence.
We Know the Queens Bus System and Streets
As a Queens-based law firm, we have deep, firsthand knowledge of the borough’s transit landscape. We have represented clients injured on some of the busiest routes, like the Q58 and Q44, and at major transit hubs like Jamaica Center and Flushing-Main Street.
We know the unique dangers on major arteries like Queens Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue, and Jamaica Avenue. Our lawyers have handled cases in nearly every neighborhood, from Elmhurst and Jackson Heights to Astoria and Richmond Hill.
Our local knowledge helps us conduct more effective investigations. Whether you were hit by a bus near a school in Woodhaven or fell as a passenger in Forest Hills, we can help.
We Secure Evidence Before It Disappears
Buses are rolling treasure troves of evidence. They have multiple video cameras and data recorders (like an airplane's black box). The MTA, NICE, and private bus companies control this evidence and aren’t quick to hand it over.
We take immediate action to preserve this proof. We send preservation letters and, if necessary, seek court orders to stop them from erasing video footage or "losing" maintenance records. Our skilled Queens bus accident lawyers know this evidence is often the key to proving your case.
Suing the city or a powerful company requires a lawyer with specific skills and resolve. The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler is prepared for the fight. Call us now at (914) 220-1088 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why You Need To Act Swiftly
The single most dangerous trap in a public bus accident case is the Notice of Claim deadline. To sue a city or municipal entity like the MTA, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident. This isn’t a suggestion; it's a strict, unforgiving rule you’re expected to know.
If you miss this 90-day window, your case is likely over before it begins. The first thing we do is file this crucial document on your behalf, preserving your right to seek compensation. We won't let bureaucratic technicality rob you of justice.
Legal Options for All Bus Accident Victims
Bus accidents in Queens impact many different people in many different ways. Whether on the bus, in another vehicle, or as a pedestrian on the street, you have legal rights. Our firm represents anyone harmed by a bus driver's carelessness or a bus company's negligence.
Bus Passengers
As a passenger, you placed your safety in the hands of a professional driver. If you were injured because the driver crashed, or because they started or stopped so violently that you fell, you have a strong claim for compensation.
This applies whether you were on an MTA bus, a school bus, or a private charter. We handle the entire claims process for you. You don’t need to figure out who was at fault or which insurance policy applies. We protect your rights so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
If a Bus Hit Your Car, Truck, or Motorcycle
Collisions between a massive bus and a smaller vehicle are often catastrophic for the smaller vehicle's occupants. Due to a bus's immense size and weight, these crashes can result in life-altering injuries and significant vehicle damage.
We fight to hold the bus driver and their employer responsible for the full extent of the harm they caused. We’ll deal directly with the bus company's insurance adjusters and attorneys.
Pedestrians or Bicyclists
Pedestrians and cyclists are completely unprotected against a multi-ton bus. Drivers of these large vehicles have huge blind spots and are often focused on schedules and traffic, sometimes failing to see the people around them.
A Queens bus crash attorney from our firm will work to establish the driver's negligence and secure the compensation you need for your severe injuries.
Proving Negligence in a Bus Accident Claim
To win your case, your lawyer must prove that someone's negligence caused your injuries. This could be the driver's carelessness or the bus company's corporate negligence. We investigate every accident to identify all at-fault parties.
Common Examples of Driver Negligence
Bus drivers have a professional license and are held to a high standard of care. When they fail to meet that standard, accidents happen. We investigate all signs of driver error.
Common examples include:
- Driver Distraction: This includes drivers who are texting, talking on a cell phone, or are otherwise not paying full attention to the road.
- Driver Fatigue: Many bus drivers work long hours. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.
- Operator Error: This includes pulling away from the curb unsafely, making improper turns, or failing to check blind spots before changing lanes.
- Speeding: Drivers may speed to stay on a tight schedule, dramatically increasing a crash's risk and severity.
Corporate Negligence and Poor Maintenance
The bus company is responsible for the safety of its fleet and the quality of its drivers. Our investigation often looks beyond the driver to the company's own practices.
Corporate negligence makes the company directly liable for a crash:
- Inadequate Driver Training: A company that puts poorly trained or unqualified drivers on the road is responsible for the harm they cause.
- Poor Fleet Maintenance: The company must keep its buses in safe working order. Accidents caused by faulty brakes, worn tires, or broken lights are the company’s fault.
- Failure To Supervise: The company has a duty to monitor its drivers and remove those with a history of unsafe driving or health problems.
How We Investigate Your Claim
Our firm builds its own independent case to prove fault and doesn’t rely on the bus company's internal review. This comprehensive investigation begins with immediate legal action to preserve the most critical evidence, such as on-board video footage, black box data, and maintenance logs.
At the same time, we dispatch investigators to the crash site to document road conditions, traffic patterns, and any physical evidence left behind. We then identify and interview other passengers and eyewitnesses to get their unbiased accounts of what happened.
Available Compensation in a Queens Bus Crash Lawsuit
A successful lawsuit provides financial compensation for the many ways an injury impacts your life. We aim to secure a result that covers all of your past, present, and future needs.
Recovering Your Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for your direct financial losses. We compile every bill, receipt, and wage statement to demand a full recovery of these costs.
This includes compensation for:
- Medical Bills: We seek recovery for all of your medical care, from the emergency room visit to any future surgeries or therapies you may require.
- Lost Wages: This covers the salary and benefits you have lost from being unable to work.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If you’re left with a permanent disability, we seek compensation for the income you will lose over the course of your lifetime.
Securing Compensation for Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the profound personal impact of your injuries. These losses don’t come with an invoice, but they’re often the most challenging part of a serious injury. A Queens bus accident attorney from our firm will fight to put a value on this suffering.
This includes awards for:
- Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress your injuries have caused.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: You can seek recovery if your injuries prevent you from participating in the hobbies, social events, and family activities you once loved.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: This compensates you for the long-term effects of a catastrophic injury, such as paralysis or significant scarring.
FAQ for Queens Bus Accident Lawyer
What Is the First Thing I Should Do After Being Injured in a Bus Accident?
After receiving medical attention, the most urgent step is to contact a Queens bus accident lawyer. Since there is an extremely short 90-day Notice of Claim deadline for claims against the government, time is not on your side.
Speaking to a lawyer immediately protects you from missing this deadline and losing all of your rights to compensation.
Do I Have a Case if I Fell on a Moving Bus That Did Not Crash?
You may have a case if you fell on a moving bus. Bus drivers and the companies they work for have a duty to operate the bus in a way that keeps passengers safe. If a driver starts, stops, or turns so suddenly and violently that it throws you to the floor, that is a form of negligence.
These cases are very common, and you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Who Is Responsible for a School Bus Accident?
Responsibility for a school bus accident in Queens can fall on several different parties, depending on the circumstances. If the school bus driver was negligent (e.g., speeding, driving while distracted, or failing to yield), they may be liable.
However, many school buses in Queens are operated by private companies under contract with the Department of Education, meaning the company may also be responsible if the crash was caused by poor driver training, inadequate vehicle maintenance, or unsafe hiring practices.
Other drivers on the road may also share responsibility, especially in densely trafficked areas like Queens Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue, or Jamaica Avenue. If a reckless or intoxicated driver caused the crash by hitting the bus or forcing it off the road, that person may be held liable.
School bus accidents often involve overlapping liability, so a thorough investigation helps uncover all at-fault parties.
Why Do I Need a Queens Bus Accident Lawyer to Handle My Claim?
You need a Queens bus accident lawyer because suing the MTA or a large private bus company is not a simple task. These cases involve special rules, short deadlines, and powerful opponents with armies of attorneys.
Lawyers know how to file the Notice of Claim, demand and preserve evidence, and build a strong case for fair compensation.
What if a Car Cut Off the Bus and Caused It To Crash?
It's common for more than one party to be at fault in accidents involving multiple vehicles. Our firm will investigate the actions of all drivers involved. We’ll pursue claims against the car driver who cut off the bus.
At the same time, we’ll analyze whether the professional bus driver had enough time to react safely or if their own negligence, like speeding or distraction, contributed to the crash. Our job is to identify every responsible party to maximize your financial recovery.
Don't Let the System Ruin Your Claim
The moments after a bus accident can make you feel powerless, like one small person against a giant, faceless system. But you have rights, and you have the power to demand accountability. You just need a strong advocate to lead the charge. Let our firm be your fighter.
We take on the bureaucracy and corporate lawyers so you can focus on your recovery. The path to justice starts now. Call the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at (914) 220-1088 for a free and confidential consultation.