Far Rockaway Queens Bus Accident Lawyer
With a population of over 50,000, residents of Far Rockaway, Queens rely on public buses to get to work, as well as errands and other destinations. Children also travel by bus to get to and from school each day. When these buses are involved in a collision, the injuries to passengers, motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists can be devastating. Often, it is a negligent bus driver who is at-fault in causing these accidents. Far Rockaway Queens bus accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. is dedicated to making sure these careless drivers, or other responsible parties, are held accountable under the law. Victims injured by negligence are entitled to compensation from those liable for their harm. Mr. Redenburg works tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients in personal injury or wrongful death claims. If you have questions about your legal rights following a bus accident in Far Rockaway, contact our office today at (212) 240-9465 or online to set up a free consultation to talk to a lawyer.
Buses Operating in Far Rockaway
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates their regional bus services – Q22, Q113, and Q114, in Far Rockaway. The QM17 express line also takes commuters between Midtown Manhattan and Far Rockaway. Additionally, the Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) operates open-door buses on their n31, n32, and n33 lines. This local bus system allows riders to travel within the neighborhood without going to Nassau County. Residents of Far Rockaway rely on buses to take them from their easternmost section of the Rockaways to other places for work as well as recreational activities. Unfortunately, these buses are not always safe. According to the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) data, there are over 2,000 bus accidents yearly, with almost one-fourth happening in Queens. Victims of these accidents may need more than available insurance benefits to cover the costs of injuries. As such, consulting a skilled Far Rockaway bus accident attorney as soon as possible is important to making sure your legal rights remain intact.
Negligent bus drivers, as well as entities responsible for their employment, may be at-fault in causing a bus accident. Some of the most common contributing factors in collisions involving a bus include:
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted drivers
- Defective vehicle parts
- Inadequate training or vehicle maintenance
Depending on the circumstances, a bus driver, MTA, NICE, or another companies involved in operating and maintaining a fleet can be held accountable for injuries caused by negligence. Negligence exists when a party, the defendant, has breached a duty of reasonable care to the victim, or the plaintiff. That breach must also be shown to be a proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury, and result in damages.
Bus drivers who speed, text, or otherwise act unreasonably can be held liable in a collision. The MTA can also be vicariously liable for an employee’s negligent acts. In New York, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of a victim’s injury. Family members or others filing a wrongful death claim on a victim’s behalf have two years to pursue action. If a public entity, such as the MTA, is to be named as a responsible party in the suit, the statute of limitations is even shorter, and a lawsuit must be filed within one year and 90 days of an accident. Further, a Notice of Claim must be filed within ninety (90) days of the accident or the claim will be forever time-barred.
Bus Accident Lawyer Helping Far Rockaway Residents
Victims of bus accidents often need compensation for medical bills associated with their injuries, as well as financial assistance for time missed at work due to their recovery. Far Rockaway Queens bus accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg helps victims recover that compensation from at-fault parties. Our firm assists clients throughout Queens, as well as Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The firm also represents accident victims of Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester. If you would like to learn more about your legal options following a collision involving a bus, contact our office online or at (212) 240-9465 to speak with an attorney today.