Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. | September 14, 2020 | News

A New Jersey Transit bus crashed on one of the busiest streets in the city. The New Jersey Transit operated the bus on the 156 line. It was coming from Fort Lee, N.J., to the Port Authority terminal. 

The crash occurred near the Port Authority terminal in Manhattan on a ramp on Ninth Avenue and 39th Street. The bus crashed into a barrier around 9:30 a.m.

According to the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York, all 16 people on the bus, including the bus driver, were transported to the hospital for treatment. One person was in critical condition. 

When emergency responders arrived, several people were on the ground outside of the bus. The accident trapped other people inside the bus. The emergency responders had a difficult time entering the bus because of the extensive damage to the front end of the bus.

The cause of the accident is unknown, so the accident remains under investigation. 

Why Do Bus Accidents Happen?

New York is one of the top 10 states for large truck and bus fatalities in the country. Thousands of people die or are injured in bus accidents each year. The causes of bus accidents are similar to the causes of other traffic accidents.

Some common causes of bus accidents include:

Most of the causes of bus accidents are avoidable. In many cases, the bus driver is responsible for causing an accident. However, victims can hold government entities accountable for damages in most cases.

Suing the Government for a Bus Accident

Government entities are protected from most lawsuits by sovereign immunity. However, there are exceptions for personal injury claims. Therefore, if you are injured while riding on a bus or injured in an accident involving a bus, you may be able to sue the city or other government entity for damages.

Lawsuits against government entities are very complicated. There are special rules that you must follow. 

For example, you must file a notice of claim to protect your right to file a lawsuit if your claim cannot settle out of court. In most cases, the deadline to file a notice of claim can be as short as 90 to 180 days after the accident. Therefore, you must act quickly to protect your rights.

It is generally best to talk to a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can take the necessary steps to protect your legal rights.

Common Injuries Sustained in Bus Accidents

Buses are large, heavy vehicles that can cause a substantial amount of damage in an accident. However, because seat belts are not required and top-heavy buses are prone to rollover accidents, passengers on a bus can sustain catastrophic injuries. 

If a bus hits a passenger vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, the victims could sustain life-threatening injuries. As with large trucks, passenger vehicles and non-occupants are at a higher risk of injury and death than the driver or occupants of the bus.

Common injuries that bus passengers and others may sustain in a bus accident include:

Victims of bus accidents are often transported directly to the hospital with severe injuries. However, if you did not go to the hospital after a bus accident, see your doctor as soon as possible. Insurance companies use delays in medical care to deny or undervalue injury claims. 

Compensation Available for a Bus Accident

The types of damages caused by a bus accident depend on the injuries sustained by the victim. In most cases, a bus accident claim may include the following damages:

  • Medical bills, including hospital charges, doctor’s bills, diagnostic testing, physical therapy, and surgeries
  • Past and future loss of income and benefits
  • Decreases in future earning potential
  • Disfigurement and permanent disabilities
  • Emotional, mental, and physical pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses

The value of your bus accident claim increases as the severity of your injuries increase. Also, your claim may be worth more if you have substantial financial losses or incur a permanent impairment. 

A personal injury lawyer fights to get you the maximum compensation allowable for your claim. The money may not ease your pain or erase the damages you incurred, but it can help provide for future care and help you get back on your feet after being injured in a bus accident. 

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in New York City

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007