While buses are a relatively safe form of public transportation for New Yorkers, when they are involved in accidents they can cause serious damage and injury to others on the road. If you, your child or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a bus, you may have the basis for an injury claim.

At Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP, our team of trial lawyers has extensive experience in bus accident injury cases. We can help you quickly assess your situation, determine the strength of your case and formulate the best strategy for moving forward.

Causes of School Bus Accidents

Injuries may result from a variety of causes, including:

• Unsafe practices in loading and unloading children. If the driver is not fully attentive to all aspects of the environment while children are getting on and off the school bus, a child can be struck by a vehicle. In a heavily populated and trafficked urban area such as New York City, the risk is significant.
• Unsafe behavior by the driver. Just like any other person driving a vehicle, bus drivers can violate traffic laws, using the phone or texting while driving, driving under the influence, etc.
• Inadequate or poorly maintained safety equipment. This can include the bus itself, and maintenance or equipment necessary to its safe operation.
• Insufficient attention to driver qualifications or past offenses. Does the driver have a valid current license? Is he or she fully qualified to drive the vehicle involved in the accident? Are there any past reports regarding reckless or illegal actions by the driver that were not properly investigated or handled?

Causes of Other Accidents Involving Buses

School buses are not the only heavy-duty passenger vehicles on the road. Passenger buses, including charter buses, long-haul bus fleets, tour buses and buses transporting entertainers are also on the road.

In addition to the situations described, these vehicles can end up in accidents due to overworked or over-tired drivers who have skimped on sleep in an effort to stay on schedule. There is also a greater likelihood that vehicles such as these, which spend longer periods of time on highways and freeways, will achieve unsafe rates of speed.

The size and weight of these vehicles are such that drivers must pay the utmost attention to the rules of the road, safe practices during passing, following at an appropriate distance, etc. Once brakes are applied, a bus will travel a distance equivalent to several football fields before it comes to a stop.

Any behavior by a driver that does not take these factors into account, or any failure by a bus owner to ensure that the vehicle can be operated safely, including in emergency situations, can be characterized as negligence.

Contact RMFW for Help with a Bus Accident Case

Our record speaks for itself. With over $1 billion recovered for the injured and a 95 percent success rate, you can be confident that everything possible will be done to help you achieve justice and full compensation. If you were injured in a bus accident, Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP can help.  Call today, there are no fees unless we win – and there is no risk to you.