Can I Sue for a City Bus Accident?

After a bus accident, the road to recovery can be long and full of uncertainty. If the crash involved a city-operated vehicle, such as an MTA bus, taking legal action can seem daunting. At Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law, our Staten Island mass transit accident lawyers know that this may be one of the most difficult times of your life. For more than 50 years, our team has helped clients recover bus injury compensation in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and surrounding communities. We provide the compassionate legal support and tenacious advocacy you need to find the justice you deserve. 

Key Takeaways

• Special legal protections— While many government entities enjoy certain legal protections, you may seek bus injury compensation from city agencies like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) if negligence caused you harm.
• Strict deadlines and processes— When bringing a claim against a city, deadlines are much shorter than in other personal injury claims. A formal Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident to preserve your right to sue in NYC.
• Complex liability— Multiple parties may be liable, including the city, maintenance and repair contractors, parts manufacturers, or other drivers involved in crash.
• Proven results— Our Staten Island personal injury lawyers have recovered more than $500 million for injured clients and have the resources, patience, and tenacity to take on municipal entities and their insurers. 

Liability for Bus Accident Injuries

Determining who is at fault in a mass transit accident is rarely straightforward.  It requires a deep understanding of New York law and how public transportation operates. Because buses are "common carriers," the agencies that operate them have a heightened legal obligation to ensure the safety of every passenger on board.

A city or municipal agency like the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) may be liable if the accident resulted from:

• Bus driver negligence— This includes behaviors such as reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, or operating a vehicle while fatigued.
• Inadequate vetting or training— Failure to properly vet or train drivers can lead to devastating errors.
• Poor maintenance— If the city failed to keep the bus in safe working order, the city may be responsible for mechanical failures such as brake issues.

Our bus accident attorneys in Staten Island have decades of experience investigating municipal negligence. Our team fights tirelessly to hold these large agencies accountable for the harm they cause.

In some cases, the city may not be at fault, or additional parties may be liable, such as:

• Private contractors— Improper maintenance or repairs can result in deadly accidents.
• Third-party drivers— Other motorists who cause a collision involving a bus.
• Manufacturers— Producers, designers, and sellers of defective parts or vehicles may be liable if a malfunction causes a crash.

We meticulously investigate every detail of a bus accident to identify all responsible parties and pursue all possible sources of bus injury compensation. 

Filing a Bus Accident Claim Against a City

Unlike car accident cases involving only passenger vehicles or big trucks, suing a government entity involves special rules and procedures. A single missed deadline or administrative error can derail your case before it begins.

The first and most important step is to file a Notice of Claim with the appropriate agency. For NYCTA, Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA), and Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority (SIRTOA), you generally have only 90 days from the date of the accident to file this formal notice. This notifies the city of your intent to seek bus injury compensation and provides them with the details of the incident. An experienced Staten Island bus accident lawyer can help you complete and file your notice of claim to ensure it’s done correctly and promptly. 

After the Notice of Claim is filed, the city will investigate. You may be required to attend a 50-h hearing in which you provide testimony and answer questions about the accident. If the city does not offer a fair settlement after investigating, you can then proceed with a lawsuit. Our personal injury lawyers can prepare you for the hearing and handle negotiations to help you obtain bus injury compensation that covers the full scope of your damages. 

The statute of limitations for filing a bus accident lawsuit against a municipality is brief, so it’s vital to take action as soon as you can. Unlike most personal injury cases that give you three years to file a lawsuit, you have only one year and 90 days to file a legal action against the city. 

Why You Need a Local Bus Accident Attorney

Navigating a city bus claim can be emotionally and physically exhausting, especially when you’re not feeling your best. Our bus accident lawyers conduct their own investigation and handle complex paperwork and insurance adjusters so you can focus on your recovery. We assist you with other complicated aspects of a bus accident case such as:

• Navigating the serious injury threshold— New York’s no-fault insurance laws are complex. In addition to pursuing bus injury compensation for medical bills and wage loss, we can determine whether your injuries meet the legal requirements for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering.
• Preserving evidence— Dashcam and surveillance footage, black box data, and maintenance logs can be overwritten or lost if not requested immediately. Our attorneys take swift legal action to preserve this and other vital evidence right away.
• Accurate valuation— It’s easy to underestimate the value of your claim and future costs like medical bills and lost earning capacity. We work closely with economists, medical professionals, and life care planners to ensure that your settlement or award meets your current and future needs.

Why Choose Our Staten Island Bus Accident Lawyers?

Choosing the right representation means finding a team that treats you like a person, not a case number. With Chelli & Bush you get:

• Decades of proven success— With more than five decades of experience and $500 million recovered for our clients, we have a deep understanding of the local courts and municipal agencies in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the greater NYC area.
• Calculated strategies— Our personal injury attorneys are seasoned litigators who know how to create winning legal strategies and handle insurance company tactics with patience and strength.
• Compassionate advocacy— We help you navigate this challenging time with confidence and peace of mind so you and your family can focus on what’s important.
• No upfront costs —Our bus accident attorneys in Staten Island take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

Find a Bus Accident Lawyer Near You in Staten Island

At Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law, we’re dedicated to helping injury victims and their families find the justice they need to move forward from challenging times. To schedule a free consultation with a bus accident attorney near you in Staten Island, NY, contact us or call 718-987-8444. We serve clients in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Bus Accident Lawsuits in NY

How much is my bus accident case worth?

Each case is unique. The amount of bus injury compensation you pursue depends on the severity of your injuries, their impact on your daily life, and other factors specific to the circumstances.

What damages can I recover after a bus accident?

Our bus accident lawyers can help you recover damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.

How long will my bus crash injury case take?

The timeline for a bus accident claim varies, depending on the complexity of the case and nature of your injuries. While some claims are settled in a few months, cases that go to trial can take well over a year.

What if I’ve lost a loved one in a public bus accident?

Our personal injury lawyers can evaluate your case and determine whether a wrongful death claim may be a viable option for recovering compensation. The 90-day Notice of Claim still applies, so if you believe your loved one was killed due to negligence, it’s vital to get in touch as soon as possible.