A pedestrian was struck and killed recently by an MTA bus. When a bus accident occurs, it is important for victims or their surviving family members to understand their legal rights because bus crashes raise unique issues. A New York City personal injury law firm can provide guidance and legal counseling in bus accident claims so those affected by a fatal or serious bus crash can pursue appropriate legal avenues to obtain compensation for loss.
What Happened?
New York Daily News reported on the tragic accident recently involving the MTA bus and the pedestrian. The incident occurred on the Lower East Side in New York City at approximately 9:45 in the morning. The bus was making a turn onto East Houston Street, off of Avenue D. Avenue D is a wide two-way street that has a sidewalk with concrete medians. The pedestrian was crossing East Houston Street in a north/south direction when the light was about to turn red. The bus turned left from Avenue D and the bus ran over the 73-year-old pedestrian who was going across the street, crushing her beneath the rear wheels of the bus and then dragging her body for several feet. A witness described the crash as “horrible to watch.” The pedestrian was a mother of nine, and her family rushed to the crash scene after the fatal accident. She was reportedly not in the crosswalk at the time when the bus ran her over. The driver of the MTA bus has been employed by MTA for 27 years and the driver remained at the scene of the accident. The investigation into the accident is still ongoing. No criminal charges have been filed and the cause of the fatal pedestrian accident is not yet known to investigators aiming to determine how the pedestrian was killed. The intersection where the accident happened has been the site of accidents in the past. According to Streets Blog, there were 15 people injured between 2009 and 2015 at the intersection where this bus/pedestrian collision occurred. There was also one recorded injury at the intersection in August of 2016. Witnesses indicated that “speeding, inattentive bus drivers are a hazard in the area.” However, this recent accident was the first collision in 2016 in which an MTA bus driver was involved in a fatal pedestrian accident anywhere within the city. When bus accidents happen, victims must understand who can be held accountable. While crashes involving commercial drivers working in the private sector can usually result in claims against both the driver and employer, collisions with public transportation vehicles raise more complicated questions due to rules providing limited governmental immunity. An NYC personal injury law firm like Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff can provide assistance to victims in understanding their rights after any bus accident, including those involving public workers and public transport. Contact us today.
