Category Archives: MTA Tour Bus Accident

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 and How to Protect Yourself


Posted on July 23, 2019 by

New Yorkers rely upon city buses to get them around the city every day and getting into an accident is the last thing on their minds during a commute. However, MTA buses get into accidents every day and cause innocent riders to suffer from injuries and even death.

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A stop sign attached to the side of a school bus

Common Causes of School Bus Accidents


Posted on August 17, 2018 by

Summer break is winding down and we are now approaching fall, which means school is back in session across the country. This means that you will see school buses on the road during your commute and as you run errands during the day.

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Bus pulling up to a stop.

Who are the Possible Negligent Parties in a Brooklyn Bus Accident?


Posted on July 24, 2017 by

Driving a bus is no easy task, especially in a crowded urban neighborhood like New York City. While buses are larger than passenger vehicles and offer added protection to passengers in the event of a crash, passengers can still suffer serious injuries—sometimes even fatalities.

Bus accidents are common in the Brooklyn area with two major ones occurring just in the past few months. In May, 15 people were injured in Brooklyn when an MTA bus and garbage truck collided and then crashed into a car. In June, an MTA bus sped down a Brooklyn street in reverse when the driver exited the bus and forgot to set the parking brake. The bus hit 10 vehicles and injured a pedestrian before slamming into a church.

Passengers expect to travel on a bus in safety. If you suffered serious injuries in a bus accident, it’s important to identify the liable parties so you can file a claim for compensation. Read on to learn more about common bus accidents and how to determine the possible negligent parties.

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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.

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Recent NYC Bus Accidents & Your Bus Accident Rights


Posted on February 18, 2016 by

Green metro bus driving in a city.When you step onboard a bus or train, the last thing you’re likely thinking of is getting into an accident. However, public transportation accidents are actually very common and the results often devastating.

The bus, subway, and railway are all integral parts of life in New York City, more so than in many other places around the country. When mass transit vehicles have accidents, many innocent victims can become injured, resulting in pain and suffering, costly medical bills, and lost wages.

Bus Accidents in New York City

Unfortunately, there are many MTA accidents that have recently made headlines in the news in the five boroughs. In November 2015, a pedestrian was killed by an express MTA bus while walking in Brooklyn and crossing in the middle of a block on Ocean Avenue between J and K Avenues.

Earlier that month, a woman was killed at Main Street and Kissena Boulevard in Queens by a casino bus that struck her. That bus was operated by Skyliner Bus Travel & Tours and later spotted in Connecticut. Another recent case in NYC involved a man who was fatally struck by a bus after getting out of a cab. The MTA bus was traveling through the Bronx and hit the 23-year-old man who was getting out of the cab because he felt sick.

Many recent accidents have involved pedestrians but other types of accidents are very possible as well. These are some of the types of public transportation accidents that cause bodily harm to unsuspecting riders.

  • Subway platform or stairs accidents
  • Subway accidents
  • Intoxicated, over-medicated or distracted bus or train operators
  • City bus collisions
  • Charter or Tour bus accidents
  • Head-on collisions
  • Pedestrian accident cases involving city or private buses
  • School bus accident cases
  • Poorly maintained buses or trains

Your Rights after MTA Accidents

Many people who are involved in bus accidents mistakenly believe that they do not have legal rights against the at-fault party involved. In the state of New York, all buses are required to carry no-fault insurance, which could compensate you for damages you’ve suffered because of the accident. Additionally, pedestrians are covered for up to $50,000 for medical bills and lost wages by the New York City Transit Authority; however, medical bills for serious injuries often exceed this amount.

What to Do after a Bus Accident

As with any accident that results in injuries, the first thing to do after you’re involved in a bus accident is to seek medical attention immediately. Also make sure to report the accident to local law enforcement. If you are able, document what you can at the accident scene, including the names and contact information of the driver, other passengers, and witnesses. As you begin to heal, get copies of all of your medical records and take down notes and personal statements from friends and family members who are knowledgeable about your condition.

If you have been in a bus accident and are injured, it’s a smart idea to consult an attorney to ensure that you are fairly compensated for damages you’ve suffered please call Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum at 718-237-5586. MTA accident lawyers may be able to assist you with your public transportation claim. Avoid disclosing information to insurance companies until you’ve discussed the situation with your attorney and understand your options. But don’t delay, because bus accident lawsuits have a statute of limitations that limits the amount of time that you have to file a claim.

MTA Bus Driver Criminally Charged Under City’s New Right-of-Way Law


Posted on March 12, 2015 by

Birds eye view of a highway at night in the city.

Last month, an MTA bus driver had been operating his Q59 bus south on Union Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The driver turned left on Grand Street and struck a 15-year-old girl who had been in a crosswalk. The girl had a walk signal when the bus turned left. The bus pinned the girl under the left front wheel. Following the accident, emergency personnel rushed the girl to Bellevue Hospital, where she remained in serious condition. The girl suffered serious injuries to one leg, which may have to be amputated.

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Car Fleeing Police Hits MTA Bus, Leaves 38 Injured


Posted on October 7, 2013 by

Residents of major cities such as New York rely on public transportation to get them where they need to go. The millions of trips that are taken every day on New York’s subways and buses are safe and completed uneventfully. On rare occasions, however, accidents and injuries do occur. A recent incident in Brooklyn highlights the risks of injury that can happen while riding public transit. If you have been the victim of an accident involving an MTA vehicle or private bus, contact a New York MTA attorney.

The bus was struck by a Camaro at an intersection in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Two people in the Camaro were fleeing police when they ran a stop sign and broadsided the bus, injuring at least 38 passengers. All were taken to areas hospitals for treatment and 12 of the bus passengers were seriously injured.

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Consequences of tour bus accidents – How a Lawyer can help


Posted on June 14, 2013 by

Injured due to a tour bus accident or collision? You need an experienced tour bus accident lawyer. Tour bus crashes and collisions can leave victims seriously injured. Some bus operators do not comply with driver fatigue regulations at all times. Innocent passengers and their loved ones suffer the consequences, many of which are serious:

  • life-threatening injuries
  • permanent disability
  • loss of income or potential earnings
  • physical pain  & discomfort
  • emotional or psychological distress Continue reading