Long Island Bus Accident Lawyer

When Can You Pursue a Bus Accident Claim in Long Island?

There are many possible scenarios for a bus accident in a big city. Though you might most commonly see city buses, many other types are also on our streets. On your daily commute, you may also encounter school buses, private tour buses, shuttle buses, church buses, and long-distance buses. The drivers of all buses are responsible for driving with care.

If any of the following scenarios apply to you, our bus accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve:

• Were you a pedestrian who was struck by a bus?
• Were you the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a bus that was making a wide turn or an improper lane change?
• Are you a bike messenger who collided with a bus?
• Were you the passenger of another motor vehicle that was involved in an accident with a bus?
• Were you a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accident?

These are but a few of the many types of bus accidents handled by the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP. Contact us today for a free consultation. We help victims of bus accidents on Long Island and nearby areas, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens.

Who Is Legally Responsible for Bus Accident Injuries?

As with any auto accident, the legal responsibility for serious injuries in a bus accident will fall on the party who was negligent in causing the accident – in other words, who was at fault. Bus companies typically carry higher limits on insurance than drivers of regular passenger vehicles, as they are responsible for the safety of many people.

Drivers who work for a business, such as those who operate tour buses or shuttles, should be covered by commercial insurance policies. The company can also be held responsible for a driver’s negligence, as they’re responsible for ensuring their drivers are upholding their legal duty of care. A bus company may have even more legal responsibility based on “common carrier” laws. The idea behind this law is that drivers who are providing a public service must provide an especially high degree of safety and security to passengers.

Special steps might be necessary if the at-fault driver was operating a city bus or other municipal vehicle. There are special rules that apply to claims against government bodies in New York, and it is particularly important to take quick action in these cases. Many cases require a notice of claim to be filed within 90 days after the accident.

Proving Fault in Bus Accident Cases

The key factor in bus accident claims is negligence. To prove fault, a plaintiff must show that they were the victim of another person’s negligence. Negligence is the legal theory on which most personal injury claims are based and must be proven for a successful claim. The key elements of negligence include:

• Duty of care: As mentioned above, many buses fall under the common carrier law, which holds a higher standard of care. However, all vehicles on the road must uphold a legal duty of care to keep everyone on the road safe by abiding by driving laws.
• Breach of duty: A party who fails to exercise the same degree as a similar individual under similar circumstances fails to meet the legal requirements of duty of care. Therefore, they are open to legal action.
• Causation: The injuries or other harm that the victim sustained must be connected by evidence to the negligence of the at-fault party. Typically, this means establishing that if not for the at-fault’s party breach of duty, the victim would not have sustained any harm.
• Damages: The final element of most personal injury cases is establishing the victim’s need for the compensation amount they are demanding. These include compensation for tangible damages, such as medical bills, and intangible damages.

It is important to have an independent investigation of the accident performed under the supervision of an attorney who has your best interests in mind. Your bus accident attorney may work with an accident reconstructionist and other experts to determine what really caused the crash and what role the bus driver or other responsible parties played. There may also be safety issues with the design or maintenance of the bus, as well as other factors that could indicate liability on the part of others.

No matter what the circumstances you are involved in, the lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP will bring a critical eye to every piece of relevant evidence to build a strong case that ensures the most successful recovery.

Get Help from Our Long Island Bus Accident Lawyers

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we have decades of experience handling all types of personal injury cases, including bus accidents. As part of our commitment to our clients, we take the time to get to know you and analyze every detail of your case. Our goal is to help you recover compensation for your injuries, unpaid medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages based on the facts in your case. We will do all that we can to help you and your family get your lives back on track.

Don’t sell your claim short or even give a statement. Call us now at 866-878-6774 or contact us online by completing our contact form. You can also get more information about bus accident cases and personal injury law by visiting our Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP YouTube Channel. Subscribe to the channel to stay updated on Long Island personal injury law.

Sources:

• DMV.org: Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance
• The Law Dictionary: What Is Common Carrier?