NY Bus Accident Lawyers

Bus accident lawyers represent victims in New York who are injured by negligent bus drivers and staff, and help them collect compensation for all related damages, pain, and suffering. These victims include pedestrians struck by busses, bus passengers, drivers and passengers in other vehicles that are hit by busses, and people waiting to be picked up by a bus or attempting to exit the bus.

Bus accident attorneys use their skills and expertise to maximize their clients’ settlement amounts, ensure they’re compensated to the fullest extent for all related damages, and guide their clients through the legal process.

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Who is at Fault in a Bus Accident?

Identifying who is at fault for a bus accident can be complex. In some cases multiple people can be at fault. The accident could have been caused by the driver, the bus management company, the bus manufacturer, other drivers or even the government.

So, it is impossible to tell who is at fault for a bus accident without knowing the details of a specific case.

However, it is common for transit and school bus drivers to be found innocent of a crash (although there are some cases where the bus driver is at fault). Operators of other types of buses (ex: charter and school buses) are much more likely to be the major contributor to a crash because of driver error. In these cases, it is highly likely for any pedestrian or motorist to receive full compensation for any damages.

Examples of Bus Driver Negligence

Bus accidents can happen for many reasons. Oftentimes, bus accidents are caused by driver negligence such as:

Driving intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
Driving distracted
Failure to adjust to weather conditions
Driver fatigue
Failure to adhere to safety guidelines
Insufficient maintenance of bus
Defective bus equipment
Driver that is improperly trained

If you are unsure as to whether you or a bus operator should be held liable for an accident, contact an experienced bus accident attorney who can help. They can tell you what to expect in determining the responsible party, and if you wish to take legal action, the evidence and documents needed to prove your innocence in a possible lawsuit.

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Bus Accident Lawsuits: What to Do Before You File

If you were involved in an accident with a transit or school bus, it is likely there will be an effort to coax an admission of at least partial guilt from you. This is done to minimize bus operators’ fault for the accident, therefore lowering the amount of compensation they owe for damages.

Here is what you can do to avoid being taken advantage of, and start building a successful case that ensures maximum compensation:

Do NOT let the bus driver’s insurance company take a recorded statement regarding the accident. This is typically asked by insurance companies so that statements made before consulting with an attorney can be used as evidence that may discredit any recounting of the accident later
Collect a copy of the police report
Try to get a recording or hand-written account from any witness of the accident willing to give you a statement
Most intersections are equipped with security cameras to catch people who illegally disregard traffic signals. This can be valuable evidence for your case. A personal injury lawyer will be able to help you collect this evidence.
Keep a detailed record of all medical records relating to your injury, as well as a list of lost working hours and wages that are directly related to any injury.

Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in New York

If you are injured, you do not have to face the legal aspects alone. Do not give a statement to an insurance agent or anybody else without consulting with a skilled bus accident lawyer first. Contact Sobo & Sobo online or call 855-468-7626 for a free consultation to protect your rights.

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National & State Bus Accident Injury Statistics

National Statistics:

Nearly 63,000 public transportation bus accidents are reported each year in the US
375 of these accidents result in fatal injuries.
14,000 of these cases result in non-fatal injuries, and another 48,000 cause severe property damage
Of the 375 people killed in public transportation bus accidents each year, an average of 50 are bus occupants (including drivers), 100 are pedestrians and cyclists, and 225 are occupants of other motor vehicles
Transit buses and school vehicles are involved in more than 70% of all bus accidents in the U.S, and produce the highest number of fatalities
The most common cause of bus accidents in the U.S. involves a driver failing to yield the right of way to bus drivers
The majority of school bus accidents occur on weekdays, between the hours of 6:00. and 9:00 a.m., when students are picked up for school, and between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., when they are being driven home.