Forest Hills Bus Accident Attorney
New York City residents, including those in Forest Hills, Queens, rely on buses for their daily commutes. School and tour buses also frequent the area. These buses, as well as congested vehicle and pedestrian traffic, mean the potential for collisions is high. Most bus accidents are due to the negligence of a bus driver or another party. When this negligence causes a serious injury or fatality, those responsible should be held legally liable. Forest Hills bus accident lawyer Michael J. Redenburg helps victims and their families recover the compensation they need, and are entitled to, from those at-fault for their harm. Serious injuries come with serious costs, and the ones who have caused those injuries should bear financial accountability. If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a bus in Forest Hills, Mr. Redenburg can help you determine your legal options. Call our office today at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to speak with an attorney today.
Dangerous Forest Hills Bus Crashes
Twenty bus routes serve Forest Hills, half of which are express to Midtown Manhattan. The Q11, Q21, Q53 SBS, and others also provide transportation throughout the Queens borough. All of these routes are run by New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Regional Bus Operations. The MTA is responsible for hiring and training its drivers, as well as making sure its fleet is in working order and safe. Bus accidents can involve not only bus riders, but other vehicle’s occupants, pedestrians, and bicyclists as well. Because of the many parties involved, cases arising out of these crashes are also more complex. A seasoned Forest Hills bus accident lawyer can make sure your legal rights are properly represented.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has reported that approximately 25 percent of bus accidents in New York City happen in the Queens borough. These collisions often lead to significant injuries to those involved. Common injuries may include whiplash or traumatic brain injury, as well as spinal cord injuries. Because not all buses come equipped with seatbelts, and even if they do, riders can choose not to wear them, passengers may suffer more serious injuries if a bus makes a sudden stop or strikes another object. Bus accidents can also cause severe lacerations that may leave victims permanently disfigured or scarred. If a bus strikes a pedestrian or bicyclist, injuries may be fatal. Victims of bus collisions will require immediate medical attention, and sometimes long-term care. If these crashes involve negligent behavior, those responsible should be held legally accountable.
Proving Negligence in Bus Accident Cases
Following a Forest Hills bus accident, and after receiving medical care, it is important to consult a knowledgeable injury attorney who can help assess your legal options. Personal injury and wrongful death claims arising out of a serious bus crash are based on the legal theory of negligence. Negligence exists when a party breaches their duty of reasonable care owed to another, causing that person’s injury or death, and resulting in damages. Some common factors in bus accidents that indicate negligence include: fatigued drivers; distracted driving practices; speeding; inadequate vehicle maintenance; defective vehicles or parts; and failure to adequately train or hire drivers.
Both a negligent driver, or their employer, may be at-fault or liable for a bus accident. For instance, as an employer, the MTA may be vicariously liable for their employee’s conduct, or directly liable for its own negligent actions, such as failing to perform proper background checks. In New York, personal injury claims must be filed within three years of an incident, and wrongful death claims must be pursued within two years of a victim’s death. Lawsuits involving the MTA, or another public entity, must be filed within one year and 90 days of an accident, making timing of vital importance in these cases. A Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident.
Bus Accident Lawyer in Forest Hills
Victims who have been severely injured in a bus crash may be entitled to damages for their medical costs, as well as lost income or earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Families who have lost loved ones may also receive compensation for burial and funeral expenses as well as loss of support. Forest Hills bus accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg can help you receive the financial assistance you need to move forward. If you have questions about your legal options in the aftermath of a bus accident, contact our office today online or at (212) 240-9465 to find out more about how we can help.