Category Archives: Bus Accident

School Bus Driving Down a Street on a Cold and Snowy Day

Can a School Bus Accident Lawyer Help After Child Injuries?


Posted on October 19, 2022 by

Legal Help After Your Child Is Injured in a School Bus Accident

School buses provide a trusted and safe way for children to travel to and from school. However, road accidents can still happen, and when they do, the consequences can be devastating for children and their families.

When a child is injured on a school bus, they may face extensive medical treatment, emotional trauma, and missed school. During this challenging time, a school bus accident lawyer can help families know their legal rights and pursue all available compensation.

Common Causes of School Bus Accidents

Bus accidents occur for many of the same reasons as other types of motor vehicle accidents. Driver negligence is a leading cause of school bus accidents. Speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, and failure to follow traffic laws can all contribute to bus collisions.

Meanwhile, other school bus accidents occur when children aren’t properly supervised during loading and unloading. School bus stops pose heightened challenges, especially when drivers ignore stop-arm laws and fail to yield to children crossing the street. Mechanical failures may also occur if a bus is poorly maintained or if routine inspections are not performed.

What Makes School Bus Accidents Unique

Unlike typical car accidents, school bus accidents often involve multiple responsible parties. For example, liability could fall on the bus driver, a private transportation company, a government agency, a school district, or another motorist.

These types of cases often require a detailed investigation to determine what happened and who may be responsible. To prove a case, accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, driver training records, and bus maintenance records can all serve as evidence.

How a School Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help

After a child is injured, parents, of course, focus on medical appointments and helping the child recover. Meanwhile, a NYC bus accident lawyer can step in to handle all the legal aspects of the case so the family can prioritize healing.

A school bus accident lawyer can help with:

  • Gathering evidence and documentation
  • Investigating the cause of the accident
  • Identifying all potentially liable parties
  • Communicating with insurance companies
  • Evaluating the full extent of the damages
  • Negotiating settlement offers
  • Filing a lawsuit if necessary

Every case is unique; however, having an experienced school bus accident lawyer on your side can protect a family’s interests every step of the way.

Possible Compensation Available

If a child suffers injuries due to a school bus accident, compensation may be available for both current and future needs. Potential damages your family may be entitled to include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Future related medical care
  • Permanent disability or impairment

When to Contact a School Bus Accident Attorney

We recommend contacting a school bus accident lawyer as soon as possible if your child has been injured while riding on a school bus. Your cases may require that evidence be preserved, witness interviews be conducted, and statute-of-limitations deadlines be met.

At the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we will meticulously evaluate the facts of your case, discuss your legal options, and help you determine the best path forward. We provide compassionate, dedicated representation for families and will fight for your child’s rights and health.

Of course, no legal claim can reverse the trauma of an accident. However, pursuing justice may provide the financial resources you need to support your child’s recovery and future well-being.

For your free case review, please contact us online or call us at 718-237-5586.

mta buses in queens, new york

How to Handle MTA Injury Claims If You’ve Been in a Bus Accident


Posted on December 23, 2020 by

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the largest municipal bus fleet in the U.S., with approximately 5,725 buses serving over 200 local and 30 express routes across all five boroughs. While this public transportation system is a vital resource for New Yorkers, it is not immune to accidents that cause serious injuries to passengers, pedestrians, and drivers.

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in New York City, here’s what you need to know about handling MTA injury claims effectively and protecting your legal rights.

Common Causes of MTA Bus Accidents

MTA buses are involved in numerous collisions each year with other vehicles, pedestrians, and stationary objects. Slip-and-fall accidents also occur inside buses due to wet or icy conditions. Accidents are often caused by driver negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, or intoxication. Crowded urban environments contribute to frequent collisions, and poor road conditions, including bad weather or construction zones, increase the risk of crashes. Maintenance failures, such as defective bus equipment or delays in necessary repairs, can also play a significant role.

Understanding these causes highlights the importance of holding negligent parties accountable when a bus accident occurs.

Common Injuries in Bus Accidents

Even seemingly minor bus accidents can result in painful injuries, including whiplash, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. However, because of the size and momentum of buses, accidents often cause more severe injuries. Victims may suffer broken bones, fractures, traumatic brain injuries such as concussions, severed limbs, or, in the most tragic cases, fatal injuries.

If you’ve been injured in an MTA bus accident, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Timely documentation of your injuries also plays a critical role in supporting your legal claim.

Suing the MTA for Bus-Related Injuries

Filing a claim against the MTA is not the same as filing a typical personal injury case. Strict deadlines and specific legal procedures apply. If another driver caused the accident, you may be able to file a claim through that driver’s insurance company. However, if the MTA or one of its bus drivers was at fault, you may sue the MTA directly for negligence.

In some cases, responsibility may be shared among multiple parties, including the MTA, the bus driver, and third-party drivers. Pursuing a claim against the MTA often allows for access to larger insurance policies than individual drivers typically carry, but navigating these cases can be complicated without legal help.

Proving Negligence in an MTA Bus Accident

Proving negligence in an MTA injury claim can be complex because of the many parties involved. Bus accident claims fall under common carrier law, which holds transportation providers like the MTA to a heightened duty of care for passenger safety.

Strong evidence is essential to building a successful case. Important forms of evidence include photographs of the accident scene, police and weather reports, witness statements, medical records and bills, and proof of lost wages. Although the MTA has a clear duty to protect passengers, documenting the full extent of negligence strengthens your chances of a favorable outcome.

How a NYC Injury Attorney Can Help With Your MTA Injury Claim

Handling MTA injury claims can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re facing a large public authority and complex legal procedures. An experienced NYC bus accident lawyer can help you navigate the process, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

At The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we have successfully represented many clients injured in MTA accidents. We fight tirelessly to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our legal team knows how to build strong cases against the MTA and any other negligent parties involved.

Don’t let the complexity of an MTA injury claim or the size of the organization discourage you from seeking justice. Contact us today at 718-237-5586 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. We are here to help you move forward after your bus accident with the support, experience, and advocacy you need.

Bus driving down a road

Bus Accidents in New York City: Know Your Rights to Hold Negligent Parties Accountable


Posted on July 23, 2019 by

Injured in a New York City Bus Accident? Here’s What You Need to Know

New Yorkers rely on buses to conveniently and affordably get around the city every day. But if you’ve been injured as a bus passenger or pedestrian, or your car was clipped by a city bus, it’s critical to understand your legal rights.

The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum is here to help you understand how bus accident liability works and how to prove negligence to hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries.

Common Causes and Negligence in Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can result from various types of negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, and failure to follow traffic laws. Faulty tires, poorly maintained brakes, and other mechanical issues can also contribute to bus accidents involving MTA public transit, school buses, tour buses, and private shuttles.

To establish negligence in a bus crash, you’ll need to prove four key elements: (1) duty of care, (2) breach of that duty, (3) that the breach led to the accident, and (4) the damages you suffered. If a public entity like the MTA is at fault for a bus accident, strict notice requirements may apply and require you to take action right away to pursue a claim.

Bus Accident Victims’ Injuries and Claims

People involved in bus accidents can sustain numerous injuries, even in seemingly minor collisions. Common injuries include whiplash, bruises, soft-tissue damage, and broken bones. In severe accidents, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death can occur.

If you file a bus accident claim, you could recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. However, insurance doesn’t always fully compensate individuals for long-term and severe injuries, especially when large transit agencies are at fault.

Public vs. Private Bus Accidents

If a public transit company, such as the MTA, is involved, a higher legal standard may apply. These entities owe passengers a heightened duty of care, but to build a strong case against them, you’ll need detailed evidence such as on-scene photographs, police reports, witness testimonies, and medical records for treatment and future care projections.

If you were involved in an accident with a private bus, such as a charter bus or shuttle service, multiple parties may be involved. Depending on your case details, you could have a case against a private company, an independent driver, or a bus manufacturer.

A skilled personal injury attorney, like Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, can help you navigate this process and handle negotiations with the relevant parties to protect your rights.

How Our Personal Injury Law Firm Helps After a Bus Accident

Bus accident cases can be complex and challenging to win, especially if you’re up against a massive entity like the MTA. That’s why it’s highly recommended to hire an experienced bus accident attorney who understands transit law, municipality liability, and common-carrier obligations.

At the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we have experience in private and public bus accidents and offer a personalized, aggressive approach. We are committed to investigating your claim, gathering critical evidence, and staying ahead of notice-of-claim deadlines. We’re ready to fight for full compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering related to your bus accident.

What to Do After a Bus Accident

Immediately following a bus accident, you could find yourself confused, overwhelmed, and in severe pain. Therefore, it’s smart to familiarize yourself with the steps to take after a bus accident, so you remember what to do after impact.

  1. Report the accident to the police and file a report
  2. Document everything possible at the accident scene while your memory is fresh
  3. Immediately seek medical attention for injuries, even if they feel minor at first
  4. Notify the involved transit company and file a notice of claim within the required timeframe
  5. Save all accident-related evidence, including medical bills, photos, and witness contact information
  6. Call a bus accident lawyer to protect your rights and maximize your compensation

Contact Us for a Free Bus Accident Case Review 

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a bus accident, don’t delay calling the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum. You can reach us 24/7 at 718-237-5586 or send us a message online.

You don’t have to face the legal battle alone if you were hit by a bus and your health is suffering because of it. Contact us today for a free case review and let us help you fight for the recovery and justice you deserve.

Inside view of an MTA train

Finding a MTA Lawyer After an NYC Mass Transit Accident


Posted on August 19, 2016 by

New York City is a bustling hub of commerce, entertainment, and activity. The Metropolitan Transit Authority is charged with providing safe commuter services for tourists, commuters and city-dwellers alike, and for the most part, they do this. But if you have been the victim of an accident due to your experience with MTA, you may wish to consider the words of the Civil Court of the City of New York: “When suing any government agency two key words must be kept in mind – timeliness and research. A person must act quickly in complying with that agency’s procedures and must thoroughly research the procedures involved. You may wish to seek the advice of counsel.”

Because the statute of limitations, procedural requirements and mounds of paperwork impact any accident claim, your best choice after an accident involving mass transit is to speak with an experienced and aggressive MTA & tour bus accident lawyer in Brooklyn.

Continue reading →