Did you recently suffer injuries in a bus accident in New York City, New York? Call The Platta Law Firm for a free case evaluation. Every second counts, especially if your accident involved an MTA bus or another government-operated vehicle. Our New York bus accident lawyers can take prompt action and help you fight to get maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more difficult-to-value trauma.
The Platta Law Firm is a powerhouse personal injury law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of injury victims and families in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and throughout the greater New York City metro area. We’re fierce legal advocates with over 150 years of combined experience and a multi-billion-dollar track record of success.
We don’t just win our clients’ cases. We change lives with the case results we secure. Call our New York City law office at (212) 514-5100 to discover how we can help you make the most of your bus accident case, too.
Put Decades of Experience Behind Your NYC Bus Accident Case
You’ll inevitably face a lot of resistance when you decide to pursue compensation for your bus accident injuries. When you’re up against a multimillion-dollar corporation or a powerful government agency like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), you’ll need to force a fair fight.
That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to hire our New York City personal injury lawyers to take charge of your bus accident case. The Platta Law Firm is the top choice of NYC bus accident victims because:
- We’re award-winning New York trial attorneys with over 150 years of combined experience
- We’re recognized as leaders in civil litigation by Lawyers of Distinction, Super Lawyers, Just Great Lawyers, Expertise.com, Featured Verdict, the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, and other respected organizations
- Our case results include hundreds of millions of dollars in settlement agreements and jury verdicts
- Clients work hand-in-hand with trustworthy attorneys who genuinely care about their best interests
- We’re skilled negotiators who can leverage life-changing settlement offers, but aren’t afraid to take on powerful defendants in court
- Our contingency fee representation means it costs nothing to hire our bus accident attorneys in New York City, NY, unless we win the case
You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of a bus accident in New York City on your own. Turn to The Platta Law Firm, and count on our NYC bus accident lawyers to fight for you. We offer a free consultation, so call our law office at (212) 514-5100 to discuss the details of your bus accident case today.
What Causes Most Bus Accidents in NYC?
According to New York City crash data, 3,419 bus accidents were reported across all five New York City boroughs in 2024. These bus accidents include collisions with MTA buses, school bus accidents, tour bus accidents, and accidents with privately operated buses for Amtrak, Greyhound, and other services.
Even though New York buses are subject to heightened safety regulations under the FMCSA – which affect everything from driver qualifications to hours of service limitations to mandatory vehicle inspections – there are still an average of 9.4 bus accidents in NYC every day.
Many times, these accidents happen because of critical safety violations or acts of negligence, meaning most bus accidents in NYC can (and should) be avoided. Some of the most common causes of New York bus accidents include:
- Speeding
- Stopping improperly
- Making sharp turns without slowing
- Braking errors
- Blind spot errors
- Driver distraction
- Drug and alcohol use
- Bus driver fatigue
- Following too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Illegal turns
- Poorly maintained buses
- Mechanical failure
- Auto defects
- Poor road conditions due to weather or defects
- Passenger behavior
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Running red lights
If you’re going to file a personal injury claim, you’ll need to know precisely why and how your bus accident happened. Our New York bus accident attorneys will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation, gather and preserve critical pieces of evidence, and work hand-in-hand with reliable expert witnesses to get the answers you need to build a solid legal claim for damages.
Does It Make a Difference if a Bus Is Publicly or Privately Operated?
Yes. New York City has a massive network of city-operated buses. When a city bus is involved in an accident, different rules can apply when a victim decides to pursue compensation for crash-related injuries.
The most notable difference involves the amount of time you’ll have to file a claim for damages. When a private bus is involved in a NYC traffic accident, the state’s standard three-year statute of limitations applies to litigation. However, you’ll face an accelerated timetable if you were injured in an MTA bus accident or your child got hurt on a New York City public school bus. In accidents involving NYC government buses, you’ll have to:
- File a Notice of Claim with the New York City Comptroller’s Office within 90 days of the date of the bus accident
- File a formal bus accident lawsuit with a local New York City court clerk within one year of the date the government agency denies your initial claim
Taking on the government in any capacity is no small feat. New York City is as powerful as any multi-million-dollar corporation. You’ll want a feared civil trial attorney with a proven track record of success fighting for you every step of the way. Call The Platta Law Firm to learn about our top-rated legal representation today.
What Compensation Can I Get for My Bus Accident Injuries?
Filing a bus accident lawsuit in New York City can give you the opportunity to get economic damages and non-economic damages for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Nursing assistance
- Costs paid out of pocket
- Property damage
- Lost wages and benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Temporary disability
- Permanent disability
- Chronic physical pain
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Funeral expenses if a bus accident is fatal
If the bus company won’t settle, you can potentially get punitive damages when your bus accident lawsuit goes to trial. In New York, a jury is empowered to award punitive damages when it’s clear that a defendant acted out of malice or displayed a conscious disregard for a party’s life.
Bus Accident FAQ
You have questions about your recent bus accident in New York City and the rights you may have in the time that follows. Our NYC bus accident lawyers have the answers you need.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in NYC?
The statute of limitations for most bus accident lawsuits in New York City is three years. However, there are some exceptions:
- Wrongful death: two years from a victim’s passing
- Child injuries: statute of limitations tolled until the child’s 18th birthday
- Workers’ compensation if a bus accident is work-related: two years
- Government tort claims: notice of claim within 90 days, lawsuit filed within 1 year and 90 days
You lose the right to demand compensation once the filing deadline for your specific situation passes.
Can I Get Compensation if I’m Blamed for a Bus Accident?
Yes, but under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules Law Section 1411, any compensation that’s awarded will be reduced proportionately to fault. The more you’re blamed for the bus accident, the less you’ll be awarded in a settlement or jury award. For example, you could expect to receive 70 percent of the value of your bus accident case if you were deemed to be 30 percent at fault for the crash.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident in New York City?
When you’ve been involved in a bus accident in New York City, NY, it’s important to:
- Report the collision to the NYPD
- Remain at the scene while you wait for the police and emergency medical technicians to arrive
- Document the crash to the best of your ability by taking pictures of skid marks, tire tracks, property damage, damage to the bus and other vehicles, and other relevant evidence
- Seek prompt medical attention, even if you don’t think you’ve been badly hurt
- Direct any requests to discuss your case or negotiate a settlement to your attorney
If you were involved in a bus accident while driving your own vehicle, it’ll also be important to notify your insurance company. Under New York’s no-fault insurance rules, you’ll have to seek compensation from your car insurance policy first. You can seek additional compensation from the bus company or another liable party if your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold.
At the end of the day, one of the most important things you can do after a bus accident is to call an experienced New York City personal injury attorney for help. At The Platta Law Firm, we help clients navigate emotional and complicated legal disputes involving private corporations and government agencies every day. We can offer the level of experience and care you’ll need to navigate this trying time and emerge with the financial award you need to get back on your feet. Members of our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call for help.
What Are the Most Common Bus Accident Injuries?
While buses are a relatively safe way to navigate New York City’s busy streets, passengers, bystanders, and occupants of other vehicles can still suffer serious physical harm when a bus is involved in a car accident, including:
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Neck injuries
- Brain injuries
- Leg injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Paralysis injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one has been injured, turn to our bus accident attorneys in NYC to learn about how we can help you fight to get compensation.
What Evidence Can Help Me Win My Bus Accident Lawsuit?
Whether you’re suing the bus driver, a private bus company, the MTA, a bus manufacturer, or another at-fault party, you’ll need strong evidence to win compensation. Evidence that can be helpful in bus accident litigation often includes:
- Dash cam footage
- Surveillance footage from local businesses or homes
- Bus black box data
- Bus driver hiring and driving records
- Bus service, maintenance, and inspection records
- Bus driver logs and records
- Eyewitness accounts
- Testimony from expert witnesses, including accident reconstructionists, forensic specialists, toxicology specialists, medical professionals, and rehabilitation professionals
- Physical evidence from the scene of the bus accident
- Damage to physical property
- Police and accident reports
- Medical records
Don’t stress about getting the evidence you need to win your bus accident case. Our legal team understands the unique nuances of bus accident litigation, as well as where and how to get the evidence that’s needed for victory. Count on us to invest the experience and skills needed to help you win.
Call The Platta Law Firm for Help With Your NYC Bus Accident Case Today
A bus accident on the busy streets of New York City can change your life in an instant. Don’t struggle with the monumental consequences on your own. Call The Platta Law Firm. Our New York bus accident lawyers are ready to fight for your future.
As top-rated trial attorneys with over 150 years of combined experience, we’ve helped clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in monetary awards from powerful corporations. We’re not afraid to take on Amtrak, Peter Pan, or even the MTA if it means getting financial justice for you after a bus accident, too. Call us at (212) 514-5100 for a free consultation. Our personal injury law firm in NYC is available to help 24 hours a day.
