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Bus Accident Attorney NYC
Buses are much heavier and larger than passenger vehicles. When they are involved in a collision, bus passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers on the road may sustain serious injuries. If you have been injured, you may have a valid claim for damages. However, the aftermath of a bus accident is very complex, so it is important to speak with an experienced New York City bus accident attorney who can give you the best chance possible with your case. Contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today to request a free consultation.
Types of Bus Accidents in NYC
Any type of bus can become involved in an accident in New York City. The most common types of buses involved in personal injury claims include:
- Public New York City buses
- Tour buses
- Private buses
- School buses
The type of bus involved in the crash may determine which type of personal injury claim an accident victim should file. For instance, accidents involving buses that belong to the government, including the City of New York, have very different processes than those involving a private company.
Causes of Bus Accidents in NYC
It can be difficult to determine why a bus accident occurred, but there are some common causes, including:
Bus drivers spend a lot of time on the roads. Public transit drivers in the city can spend 11 to 12 hours on the road if they drive a split shift. Charter bus drivers also drive for long times, as they try to get passengers to their destinations on schedule. All of this leads to fatigued driving, which can easily cause a crash.
Driving a bus is not like driving a smaller vehicle. Operating a bus can be difficult for those who do not have the necessary experience or training—and that lack of experience can easily lead to a crash.
Like truck drivers, bus drivers sometimes think that the use of drugs or alcohol will help them stay awake for longer periods of time. Impaired driving causes far too many accidents on the road every year, and that includes bus collisions. Of course, other drivers on the road may also be impaired and cause a crash.
Buses have a variety of equipment and parts that must all be properly inspected and maintained. When they are not, a defective piece of equipment may cause a crash.
Buses take a lot longer to slow down and come to a full stop than smaller vehicles. Bus drivers who speed may not allow themselves the proper amount of time to stop and may cause an accident.
One of the most difficult aspects of driving a bus is turning. When drivers do not make these turns properly or they make an illegal turn, it can cause a crash.
All of the above causes of bus accidents are acts of negligence. Any time someone is negligent on the roads and causes an accident, they can be held liable for any injuries and other losses. An experienced NYC bus accident attorney can help you identify the cause of the accident and collect evidence to support your claim.
Liability for Bus Accidents
Before an accident victim can hold a negligent party liable for their injuries, they must first identify the at-fault party. This task is often one of the most difficult of any personal injury claim.
Bus drivers carry a great deal of responsibility. They must carry their passengers from one place to another safely. Bus drivers who fail to do this and act negligently, causing a crash, can be held personally liable for any losses accident victims sustained.
In many cases, bus drivers also work for a company. Bus companies are responsible for properly hiring and training their bus drivers as well as ensuring their fleet is always properly inspected and maintained. If bus companies fail in any of these responsibilities, they can be held liable.
Manufacturers of buses and the parts and equipment buses use can also be held liable in a crash. Manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure that the buses they create are safe, and all manufacturers of equipment and parts have the same responsibility. When manufacturers fail to meet this responsibility, they can be held liable for any damages that the faulty equipment causes.
Other parties not related to the bus or the bus company may also liable for bus accidents. A driver of a car may cut a bus off, or a pedestrian may dart out in front of a bus when they are not in a crosswalk. Any time a person is negligent and causes an accident, they can be held liable for any injuries or losses accident victims incur.
How Will a Lawyer Assist You with Your Claim?
Even minor bus accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. Accident victims are sometimes left with costly medical bills and without an income to pay for them. There is enough to think about without worrying about filing a personal injury claim or a lawsuit. It is for this reason that hiring a NYC bus accident lawyer can help. While working on your claim, a lawyer from Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. will:
- Determine which party or parties were liable for the crash
- Defend against claims from the negligent party that the accident victim was at fault
- Collect evidence to support the accident victim’s claim
- Accurately evaluate the case
- Negotiate with the insurance company and hold them accountable for paying a fair settlement
The above are just a few ways a bus accident lawyer can help with your case to give you the best chance of a favorable outcome.
Get Legal Help Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, the experienced NYC bus accident attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C., are here to help. Contact us today schedule a free consultation. We can review your case and advise you of your options.