Of course, any auto accident or collision is extremely dangerous, but something is terrifying about bus accidents. These vehicles are huge, heavy, and fast. Crashes can be catastrophic, and damages might be astronomically high.
Understanding who is to blame for the bus accident is key to your lawsuit. While many buses are privately owned and operated, others operate within public transportation networks and are owned by local governmental authorities. Bus accidents often stem from negligent drivers. Bus drivers who are distracted or impaired behind the wheel could cause serious collisions. On top of that, buses usually have large blind spots that make navigating turns difficult. Talk to an attorney as quickly as possible. You should take your time to decide your next step. An attorney can help you make a more informed choice. If you decide to sue, your damages might be quite high because injuries and losses in bus accident cases are often severe.
Call (631) 910-7493 and speak to our bus accident attorneys at The Carrion Law Firm to arrange a review of your legal claims for no charge.
Figuring Out Who Caused Your Bus Accident in Hunting
Bus accidents are often chaotic scenes. You might be badly injured and in dire need of emergency medical care. Many plaintiffs cannot remember the accident, only waking up in the hospital. Your attorney can help you determine who is responsible for the crash so you can begin taking legal action for compensation.
Private Bus Companies
In many accident cases, the party responsible for the crash is a private bus company. Numerous bus companies have routes around Long Island and New York City, and they sometimes get into accidents. For example, bus companies like Greyhound or Megabus might be liable for an accident because their drivers were distracted behind the wheel or committed a serious traffic violation.
In other cases, the bus company offers charter services. For example, people can book charter buses to transport groups of people for weddings, work retreats, or private tours. An accident could injure everyone on the bus and other drivers on the road.
While many plaintiffs focus on suing negligent drivers, as they should, they sometimes overlook the liability of employers. Private bus companies can be held vicariously liable for injuries caused by an employee’s negligence. Including the bus company in your lawsuit is often a good idea, as they are usually more capable of covering substantial damages.
Public Transit Agencies
People are often familiar with local public transportation in their area, including bus lines. Huntington is the only town in Suffolk County with its own public transportation system, known as the Huntington Area Rapid Transit (HART). A major part of the HART system is its bus lines.
HART operates fixed-route buses in addition to paratransit for people with disabilities and senior citizens. While the bus system is a major help to many citizens in and around Huntington, accidents are still possible. In case of an accident, not only can the driver be sued, but you might also have a claim against the local government, as they are the ones in charge of the bus.
How Bus Accidents Might Occur in Hunting
Every bus accident is a unique event and should be handled with an individualized approach. However, your attorney might want to explore certain factors that tend to be more common in bus accident cases.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents. Common distractions include cell phones, GPS devices, and even the radio. Drivers on the bus might be distracted by their phones or conversations with passengers, or perhaps they are simply inattentive and not focusing. It takes only a few seconds of inattention for a bus driver to cause a serious crash.
Unfortunately, bus accidents are sometimes caused by impaired driving. Alcohol should never be consumed by a driver behind the wheel. Even a few drinks shortly before driving can be dangerous. Alcohol impairs one’s ability to react, as reflexes and reaction times are slowed down. If the bus driver in your case was drinking before the crash, they might not only be civilly liable, but they might also face serious criminal charges.
While turning in a standard vehicle is not seen as risky, the same cannot be said for buses. Buses have enormous blind spots, and making a turn can be dangerous if the driver does not check those blind spots. Other vehicles might be concealed from the driver’s view and hit when the driver makes a turn. Buses often make very wide turns for this reason. If the driver is not careful, others might be badly hurt.
When You Should Talk to an Attorney About Your Huntington Bus Accident
Dealing with a bus accident can be challenging, and it is understandable to feel overwhelmed. An attorney can help you handle the legal logistics of your case while you rest and recover. Speaking to an attorney about your bus accident as soon as possible is important.
In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, under C.V.P. Law § 214, is only 3 years. Considering how much work and preparation is required for a lawsuit, 3 years is a deceptively short time to get your case ready. Talking to a lawyer as soon as possible can help maximize the time they have to prepare your case.
In cases involving public transportation buses, your lawsuit might be against local governmental authorities. When suing the government, you must abide by stricter rules, including notice requirements. According to G.M.U. § 50-e(a), plaintiffs have 90 days after the bus crash to submit a notice of their lawsuit to the proper authorities. This is a very tight deadline, and you should consult an attorney immediately.
Contact Our Huntington Bus Accident Attorneys for Support Today
Call (631) 910-7493 and discuss your case with our bus accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm to schedule an evaluation of your legal claims for no charge.