Howard Beach Bus Accident Lawyer
Taking the bus is commonplace throughout New York City, and Howard Beach Queens is no different. Whether taking a city bus to commute to work or relying on buses to bring your children to school, these vehicles offer a convenient option for transportation in daily life. Unfortunately, this also means Howard Beach residents risk being involved, and injured, in a bus accident. All too often these collisions are caused by a bus driver’s, or a bus company’s, negligent actions. When this is the case, Howard Beach bus accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg can help. Mr. Redenburg and his team assist victims of bus crashes in pursuing proper legal action against those responsible. These victims often need financial assistance to cope with escalating medical bills, time spent away from work, and other expenses that result from their injuries in a serious accident. If you have been injured, or lost a loved one in a devastating bus accident, call our office today at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to find out more about your legal options.
Bus Accidents in Howard Beach
Local bus services that take residents throughout Howard Beach neighborhoods include the Q11, Q21, Q41, Q52 SBS and Q53 SBS lines. These routes run along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards in Queens and are operated by New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Additionally, the QM15, QM16 and QM17 express buses offer services to and from Midtown Manhattan, which are also operated by the MTA. Many Howard Beach residents utilize these city buses to get from place to place. Unfortunately, that means these residents can be injured as a rider, as well as while in another vehicle, as a bicyclist, or pedestrian. Legal claims arising out of these types of collisions can also be more complicated as you are dealing with a public entity. Consulting an experienced bus accident attorney in Howard Beach as soon as possible is vital to ensuring your legal rights remain intact.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), nearly one-fourth of New York City bus accidents occur in the borough of Queens each year. These collisions can be due to a bus driver’s negligent actions behind the wheel. Some common factors involved in bus accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Vehicle’s defective parts
- Inadequate training and/or supervision
- Failure to check blind spots
Aside from the bus driver themselves, other parties could be held liable in these cases. For example, the MTA or another entity in charge of employing and training drivers can be accountable, as well as maintenance companies or manufacturers of defective vehicles.
Holding Parties Liable in Bus Accident Claims
For personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits that arise out of a bus accident, the plaintiff must be able to establish that one or more parties were negligent. To show negligence, the defendant must be shown to have breached a duty of reasonable care owed to the plaintiff, which causes their injury or death, and results in damages. A knowledgeable Howard beach bus accident lawyer can help determine who may be at-fault for your injuries. For example, a bus driver who is speeding excessively and hits a pedestrian will be found to have acted unreasonably and therefore negligent. A bus driver’s employer, such as the MTA, can also be vicariously liable for an employee’s negligent acts performed within the scope of their employment. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is three years. Plaintiffs pursuing wrongful death suits only have two years in which to file an action. When a claim involves the MTA, or another public entity, plaintiffs must file their action within one year and 90 days to retain their
legal rights. A Notice of Claim must be filed within ninety (90) days of the accident or incident,
so time is of the essence.
Howard Beach Attorney Assisting Bus Accident Victims
Victims injured by negligence in a collision with a bus may be awarded damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of income or earning capacity, property loss, as well as past, present and future pain and suffering. Howard Beach bus accident lawyer bus Michael J. Redenburg will fight on your behalf to make sure you receive the compensation you need and are entitled to. Mr. Redenburg represents clients throughout Queens as well as Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island in all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases. Contact our office today online or at (212) 240-9465 to learn more about our legal services.