New York Public Transport Accident Lawyer

At Morelli Law Firm, we believe people who get injured in a public transport accident should be able to receive compensation for their losses from the negligent party or parties. These accidents can leave victims at the mercy of their injuries’ healing process, which may set them behind on their finances, careers, and general life goals.

Our law firm wants to help protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you need to recover from your damages financially. You can speak with a team representative about how a New York public transport lawyer can help you with your case. Call (212) 751-9800 for assistance today.

Public Transport in New York Is Ubiquitous

New York has one of the largest and busiest public transport systems in the country. Because so many commuters use New York’s public transport system, accidents are bound to happen due to human error or negligence.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), intercity buses accounted for around 13 percent of bus-related fatalities between 2007 and 2017, whereas school buses accounted for 40 percent of fatalities and transit buses accounted for 35 percent of fatalities. Our NY bus accident attorneys are unfortunately intimately familiar with the trauma these types of injuries can produce.

If you were involved in a public transport accident, you can hire a New York public transport accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm to help you build your case. Call (212) 751-9800 today to learn about your potential legal recourse options and what steps you can take to start preparing your case.

New York Is a No-Fault State

New York follows the “no-fault” insurance policy rule, which mandates that the insured is reimbursed by their insurance company no matter who is at fault for causing the accident. The insured may be reimbursed for medical costs and other losses resulting from the accident.

Bus operators are required to have a large amount of insurance coverage to operate their vehicles. However, be careful if an insurance company calls you after an accident to offer you compensation. Accepting an offer from an insurance company may void your ability to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. You also want to avoid talking to an insurance company representative without having your lawyer present. Anything you say might be used against you.

You Might Be Entitled to Compensation for Sustaining One of These Injuries

A bus, much like a truck, can become a multi-ton killing machine in a moment of inattention. Buses are large and heavy, which gives them greater momentum at a certain speed and makes them hard to stop quickly. Bus drivers have an extra duty of care when operating these vehicles.

Occupants of other vehicles are not the only ones at risk of injury. Bus passengers can also be injured by any sudden stops, as public transit buses often do not have seatbelts, and passengers may be standing inside the vehicle as they wait for their stop.

Here are some common public transport injuries that a pedestrian or passenger may suffer:

Whiplash

A sudden stop or crash can have people’s necks jerk forward and backward, and their heads may potentially slam against restraints or the back of their chairs. This force can be physically traumatic to the neck and spinal cord, which may result in a serious injury.

Symptoms of whiplash include pain, a decreased range of motion, and headaches that radiate from the back of the skull toward the forehead. Whiplash injuries may heal on their own after several weeks if helped by a neck brace, or they may be permanent from neck and spine dislocation.

Head and Bone Injuries

Concussions and other head injuries are common since buses have plenty of metal and hard surfaces that anyone can accidentally hit when they fall. Hip and leg injuries caused by a slip and fall accident can be dangerous for elderly occupants. Bone fractures may also occur in bus accidents, with some injuries needing intensive surgery to fix.

Cuts and Lacerations

While the construction of most buses avoids sharp surfaces, sharp and cutting surfaces may still be present after years of wear and use of the bus. A bus operator should take care to check that there are no unattended sharp objects that may cause an injury during day-to-day operations. Loose objects can also cause injuries during a sudden stop.

Glass windows may shatter in an accident, and metal debris can have sharp edges. A deep cut can be fatal, but even a small cut can lead to scarring or infection. Tetanus is a risk for any wound exposed to a piece of metal.

Abrasions and Bruising

Abrasions and bruising do not break through the skin and might not be considered immediately dangerous, but they are still very painful and can cause scarring. In some cases, bruising may indicate internal bleeding, which is a serious injury that could lead to death if left untreated. Bruises may also be caused by scraping against the pavement and hitting against hard surfaces.

Severe Internal Injuries

Being hit by a bus can cause serious damage or death. If you survive, you might be looking at bone fractures, spinal damage, internal organ damage, or even brain damage. Permanent injury and impairment can result from a public transport accident.

You May Be Able to Claim Compensation for a Public Transport Accident

Public transport accidents involving a collision between a bus and another motor vehicle can be treated as an exchange between their insurance providers. Because of New York’s no-fault policies, you must file a claim with your own auto insurance company to receive coverage for your damages. However, there is an important exemption. According to the New York Department of Financial Services, motorcyclists are not entitled to no-fault compensation. You may need to sue the at-fault driver if you were a motorcyclist injured in a bus accident.

If you are a passenger or suffered a non-collision injury and you do not possess auto insurance, even through someone else’s insurance coverage, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) or the MTA Bus Company (MTABC). To receive compensation, you must meet the Notice of Claim standards and have supporting evidence to prove your claim. A Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the event, and it must reveal that either the MTA or the driver was negligent in their duty and that you have suffered an injury that requires medical care and compensation.

Hire a New York Public Transport Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a public transport accident in New York, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the damages you suffered. Navigating the legal landscape can be complicated, but you do not have to face it alone. Call today to hire a New York public transport accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm. You can speak with a team member by calling us at (212) 751-9800 and learn how our firm can help you with your case.