Bus accidents aren’t like ordinary car crashes. The bus may be owned by the MTA, a private tour or commuter company, a school bus contractor or a county system, and each comes with its own rules, insurers and deadlines. Miss one of those deadlines and a strong case can disappear. Here’s what a New York bus accident lawyer wants you to know.
Who can bring a bus accident claim?
- Passengers hurt by sudden stops, sharp turns, collisions or falls while boarding and exiting
- Pedestrians struck at crosswalks and bus stops
- Cyclists hit by buses pulling into or out of stops
- Drivers and passengers in other vehicles
MTA and city buses: the 90-day rule
If an MTA New York City Transit or MTA Bus Company bus was involved, you generally must serve a written notice of claim within 90 days of the accident, and the lawsuit usually has to be filed within one year and 90 days. The same short timelines generally apply to other public agencies under General Municipal Law § 50-e. This is the single most important reason to talk to a lawyer quickly after a bus accident.
Private coaches, commuter lines and school buses
Private bus companies, charter coaches and school bus contractors are usually sued like other businesses, generally within three years. But they’re often commercial carriers with large insurance policies and aggressive defense teams. Many are also subject to federal safety rules, including driver hours-of-service limits. Driver logs, maintenance records and onboard video are critical evidence, and they need to be requested before they’re overwritten.
No-fault benefits for bus passengers
Your medical bills and some lost wages may be covered by no-fault. Depending on your situation, benefits can come from your own auto policy, a household member’s policy or the bus’s insurer. Sorting out which policy pays first is something we handle for clients every day. See our New York no-fault guide.
Proving the bus operator was at fault
Buses are common carriers, which means they owe passengers a high duty of care. Common evidence in bus cases includes:
- Onboard and exterior camera footage
- Bus GPS and speed data
- Operator training and discipline records
- Maintenance and inspection logs
- Witness statements from other passengers
Keep in mind that a “normal” jerk or stop usually isn’t enough; the movement generally has to be unusual and violent. An experienced New York bus accident lawyer knows how to prove that with witness testimony and video.
What to do after a bus accident
- Report the accident to the driver and get the bus number, route and time.
- Take photos of the scene, the bus and your injuries.
- Get names and numbers of other passengers or witnesses.
- See a doctor right away.
- Call a lawyer before the 90-day window starts running out.
Learn more on our bus accident practice page and in our New York bus accident claims guide. Bus schedules and service information are available from the MTA.
Visit Yakov Mushiyev & Associates
Our office is at 1 Cross Island Plaza, Suite 325, Rosedale, NY 11422, just off the Cross Island Parkway on the Queens–Nassau border. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you: at home, in the hospital or by video.
Talk to a New York bus accident lawyer today
Yakov Mushiyev & Associates has recovered over $80 million for injured New Yorkers across the five boroughs and Nassau County. Consultations are free, available in English, Russian and Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.
Call 718.775.3110 or contact us online for a free case review.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. Attorney Advertising.