Countless buses take to the streets in New York every day. Unfortunately, with traffic and commutes being as hectic as they are, accidents can happen. Not only pedestrians on the street but also passengers are at risk when a bus accident occurs.

A bus accident can result in serious injuries for those involved. You do not try to deal with the aftermath of an accident alone. Our experienced attorneys are ready to provide legal assistance, no matter what avenue you choose, after a bus accident.

Call the bus accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.

Causes of Bus Accidents in Garden City, NY

Not all accidents happen for the same reason. While this may seem like stating the obvious, the exact cause of your particular bus accident is very important to any lawsuit you may wish to file. Consult with our bus accident lawyers about the facts of your case to give yourself the best chance possible in court.

Failure to Yield

Pedestrians have the right of way to cross the street at marked intersections. Even if traffic lights are not present, often obvious “yield” signs will be in the area telling motorists to let pedestrians pass. Busses frequently travel through high foot-traffic areas to pick up and drop off passengers. If a bus driver is careless, they could hit and injure people.

Speeding

Speeding is a common cause of motor vehicle accidents. When a driver is speeding, they have less time to react to the situation around them, and other drivers and pedestrians have less time to react to a speeding bus. Moreover, since buses are usually on the heavier end, the force that a speeding bus will hit another vehicle or pedestrian with can cause severe damage.

Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence, or drunk driving, is incredibly dangerous, no matter what vehicle is being driven. Intoxication causes people to make riskier decisions and react slower to the world around them. An inebriated driver poses a great danger to themselves and others.

Bus companies are not supposed to let people with a history of drunk driving behind the wheel of their vehicles. If a bus company let the driver in your accident drive their buses despite knowing they were intoxicated, you might have a claim against the driver’s employer.

Buses can also be struck by drunk drivers, potentially causing injuries to the bus driver and all of the passengers onboard.

Tired Driving

Driving while fatigued can have a similar effect to driving under the influence. The driver becomes slower to react and cannot operate their vehicle safely.

Bus drivers work long hours and have busy schedules. To guard against the risks of tired driving, bus drivers are only allowed to be behind the wheel for a certain number of hours consecutively before they are required to take a break. The driver or their employer might be liable if the bus driver was behind the wheel for too long.

Injuries from Bus Accidents in Garden City, NY

Whether you are a passenger or a pedestrian in a bus accident, you can get injured and need serious medical attention. Make sure you do not neglect to see a medical professional, even if you do not think you are injured, since some injuries can hide themselves for some time after an accident. Some of the injuries you could suffer in a bus accident are compiled below.

Broken Bones

Car accidents often result in broken bones. If you are a pedestrian, the pelvis is particularly vulnerable in a car accident since that area is most likely to be hit. Broken femurs are serious injuries for passengers that are hit in the side of their vehicle. Minor hairline fractures can also happen in a bus accident.

Broken bones can require multiple surgeries to repair. Additionally, even after a cast is removed months later, you will still likely have to regain physical strength in the broken limb or other body parts.

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the head suddenly and sharply moves backward and then forwards, or vice versa, due to a strong impact. Whiplash is a common injury in motor vehicle accidents, even minor ones.

Usually, whiplash causes pain in the neck and shoulder area that can last for several weeks. Sometimes, it can take several days after an accident for pain and other symptoms of whiplash to begin. Additionally, long-lasting pain and other complications, like memory loss, are possible from whiplash.

Cuts, Lacerations, and Puncture Wounds

Deep cuts can occur in a bus accident from shattered window glass or warped metal cutting across the body. Debris could also stab through the skin and cause serious damage.

Deep cuts can require sutures or multiple stitches to heal fully.

Puncture wounds are more difficult to treat and more dangerous than cuts. Stitching a stab is more difficult than mending a cut. A puncture wound only a few inches into the body can be deadly if it hits a vital organ.

Comparative Negligence in Garden City, NY

New York is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that any damages you are awarded in court will be reduced by your share of fault. For example, in a $100,000 lawsuit where you were found to be 20% at fault, you will be awarded only $80,000.

Insurance companies and opposing counsel know about the laws in New York and will try to use this rule against you to reduce your recovery. Your lawyer should be doing most of the communication with other parties, but if you have to speak with opposing counsel in a deposition or talk to insurance, refrain from saying anything that could attribute some of the faults to yourself. Avoid statements like “I should have done something else” or “I made a mistake.”

Talk to a Garden City, NY Lawyer Today

Talk to our bus accident lawyers today by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free review of your case.