The New York City bus system is a vital aspect of daily life for over a million people, and that figure doesn’t include the many company-operated buses that link the city to the rest of the region. Unfortunately, the sheer scale of these operations means that bus accidents are a far-too-common reality. These accidents can leave victims in daily pain, unable to work, and facing a growing stack of medical bills.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation for these and other losses, and the experienced Queens bus accident lawyers at Oresky & Associates, PLLC can help you demand it. Contact us today to learn more about your options during a free, no-obligation consultation. Your case evaluation is fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.
Why Should I Hire a Queens Bus Accidents Lawyer?
Recovering bus accident compensation can be complicated and challenging to do on your own. Bus companies and government agencies will use their enormous resources to minimize or deny your claim. A skilled Queens bus accident attorney can counter their tactics and fight for the recovery you deserve.
At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, our lawyers offer the following:
- Extensive Experience – We’ve spent over 30 years seeking justice on behalf of injured Queens residents. This gives us the knowledge, experience, and skill to hold negligent bus companies and government agencies accountable.
- A Strong Track Record – Our team has recovered over $500 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients. We know how important results are, and we’re dedicated to delivering them.
- A Reputation You Can Trust – We’re regarded as honest, hardworking, and professional by peers, colleagues, local courts, and opposing counsel alike. That reputation is backed by hundreds of positive reviews from happy clients.
- Critical Support at Every Stage – We treat our clients and their loved ones as if they were part of our own family. Our team makes sure to listen, understand, offer guidance, and communicate openly throughout the duration of your bus accident case.
- Aggressive Advocacy – Our team can stand up to government agencies and powerful corporations if they attempt to weaken or deny your claim. We advocate aggressively for the compensation you deserve, whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
- No Fees Unless We Win – Oresky & Associates, PLLC works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay us nothing up front and owe us nothing unless we win your case. You will never pay out of pocket to assert your rights.
Reach out to us today. Your case review is free and fully confidential.
Why Are Bus Accident Injury Claims So Complex?
Pursuing a claim after an MTA accident or other bus crash in Queens comes with several complications that the average motor vehicle accident claim does not. These challenges can include the following:
- Strict Requirements – Many buses operate under city or state ownership. Claims against government agencies are subject to strict notice requirements and shortened deadlines – just 90 days for claims against the city. Missing one of these deadlines or making even a small filing error can jeopardize your entire case.
- Multiple Claimants – Buses carry many passengers, so multiple injured people often pursue compensation at the same time. Insurance companies fight harder to deny liability in these cases because they usually involve potentially large payouts.
- Complicated Accident Investigation – Building a successful bus accident claim often requires the help of accident reconstruction experts, mechanical engineers, safety experts, and transportation specialists to understand what happened and who may be to blame.
- Detailed Evidence – Surveillance camera footage, inspection reports, and MTA- or company-owned documentation often play a crucial role in proving bus driver negligence. A lawyer must act fast to preserve this evidence before it’s “lost” or destroyed.
What to Do After a Bus Accident
What you do after a bus injury can have a major effect on your ability to recover fair compensation. You should do the following to begin your case on the right foot:
- Seek Prompt Medical Treatment –Some injuries don’t show symptoms until well after they occur, and insurance companies often attempt to use delays in care against claimants. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel “OK.”
- Gather Information –Collect any evidence you were able to take of the accident, such as photos of the scene, the contact info of any witnesses, and your medical records. Write down your recollection of events while your memory is still fresh. Any information you can provide to an attorney could help with your claim.
- Be Cautious When Speaking with Others –Insurance adjusters and defense teams will attempt to twist your words against you to shift blame and minimize your payout. Never admit fault, never apologize, and never offer to give recorded statements. Instead, refer them to your attorney whenever possible.
Finally, get in touch with a seasoned MTA bus accident lawyer in Queens immediately. A good lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. While you focus on healing, they’ll focus on getting you every cent you’re owed.
Who Could Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident?
Another complicating factor in bus accident lawsuits is the wide range of potentially liable parties, which could include the following:
- Bus drivers who act negligently or recklessly
- Transit agencies that fail to adequately train or supervise drivers
- School districts that ignore safety protocols
- Private bus companies that cut corners or pressure drivers to rush routes
- Maintenance contractors who perform careless work
- Manufacturers of defective vehicles or parts
- Other motorists who behave negligently or recklessly behind the wheel
- Government entities that create hazardous road conditions
Our bus accident law firm can thoroughly investigate the crash and identify all liable parties. Once we know everyone who bears responsibility for your injuries, we can include each in our claims, which allows for more sources of compensation.
What Compensation Can I Expect to Recover in a Bus Accident Claim?
Bus accident compensation can account for a wide range of losses, including:
- Medical Expenses – Ambulance services, ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s visits, medications, medical devices, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical costs related to your bus injury
- Lost Wages – Hourly wages or salary, missed raises or promotions, commissions and tips, sick days, vacation time, medical benefits, and future lost wages
- Pain and Suffering – Physical pain and mental anguish you’ve suffered due to the accident and your injuries
- Emotional Distress – Emotional trauma caused by the accident and your injuries, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms
If you’ve lost a loved one in a bus accident, you may have a valid wrongful death claim. Wrongful death compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of guidance and companionship.
What if I Am Partly at Fault in a Bus Accident?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence system. Under this system, you can still recover compensation even if you contributed to the accident.
Your share of responsibility reduces your final recovery in kind, but it does not eliminate your right to compensation. For example, if your recovery would have been $100,000, but you were determined to be 40 percent at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 40 percent, which means you would ultimately receive $60,000.
At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, our attorneys can thoroughly investigate the accident and gather evidence with the goal of minimizing your share of fault and maximizing your compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in New York?
New York maintains strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, and missing them can mean losing your right to recover compensation. Those deadlines vary depending on the party you’re seeking compensation from.
Claims Against Private Parties
When a private citizen or entity bears responsibility for the accident, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain exceptions exist (such as when the plaintiff is a minor or when the defendant leaves the state), but this deadline applies to the vast majority of cases.
Claims Against Government Entities
When the negligent party is a government entity, you face stricter rules and shorter deadlines. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident, and then you have one year and 90 days to file a lawsuit.
What Are Common Types of Bus Accidents?
Bus accidents can occur in many ways, each with unique legal considerations. Our firm regularly handles the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on impacts
- T-bone crashes
- Rollovers
- Pedestrian and cyclist accidents
- Lane-change collisions
- Single-vehicle crashes
- School bus accidents
What Injuries Can Someone Sustain in a Bus Accident?
Because buses often lack seat belts and passengers can stand or even walk around the bus while in motion, accidents often result in serious injuries. Some of the most common include the following:
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Sprains and soft-tissue injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Herniated discs
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Psychological trauma
Contact a Queens Bus Accidents Lawyer Today
If you were injured on a city bus in Queens, you need a skilled personal injury attorney to protect your rights. The team at Oresky & Associates, PLLC stands ready to fight for the accountability and financial recovery you deserve, so you can focus on your recovery.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with a bus accidents lawyer in Queens. Your case review is fully confidential, and we charge nothing unless we recover compensation for you.