Bus accidents are unfortunately a fairly common occurrence in New York and across the country. These accidents can result in severe injury, impacting your ability to 
work or live a normal life. Insurance companies will try to compensate you as little as possible, which is why you need a skilled New York bus accident lawyer to work on your behalf to obtain the maximum compensation possible.
If you or a loved one has been in a bus accident, don't hesitate to contact Reid B. Wissner Law Offices at 212-406-9288 to schedule your free case evaluation. Reid Wissner has years of experience representing bus accident victims, and will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Malfunctioning bus equipment
- Intoxicated, drowsy, or otherwise impaired bus driver
- Collision with a car, bicyclist, or pedestrian
- Unsafe road conditions
- Improperly trained bus driver
- Collision with a car driven by an intoxicated or otherwise impaired driver
Determining fault in a bus accident is key toward helping you obtain a favorable outcome. In many bus accidents, the party at fault is either the bus driver, the bus management company, the manufacturer of the bus equipment, or another negligent or intoxicated driver.
Reid B. Wissner is an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help determine fault in your case to ensure a favorable outcome for you.
Types of Bus Accident Injuries
Injuries arising from bus accidents can be catastrophic, resulting in hospital stays, extensive time off work, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and even the need for in-home care. All of these expenses can add up quickly, and often your insurance company's first settlement offer is not nearly enough to cover it all.
Some common types of bus accident injuries in New York can include:
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Burns
- Loss of limb
- Broken bones
- Extensive scarring
Even if you do not think you've been seriously injured following a bus accident, it's vital to see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure. Some injuries do not appear to their full extent until days or weeks afterward, and other injuries may be more serious than you think. If you wait for too long before seeing a doctor about bus accident related injuries, it may damage your case.
How do I file a claim after a bus accident?
If you were injured in a bus accident caused by another driver, you can make a third-party claim with that driver’s insurer. That is one way to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. If you were seriously injured or feel that the insurance company is not offering you enough money, filing a bus accident lawsuit with the help of our New York City attorney may be your best option.
Know that claims get a bit more complicated when the bus driver is at fault. That is due to the fact that many buses are owned and operated by the government. Schedule a free case evaluation for advice regarding your unique situation.
How long do you have to file a lawsuit after a bus accident?
There are several important deadlines to know about if you are considering filing a bus accident lawsuit in New York. The first is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the timeframe in which you must file your suit, or else you will forfeit your ability to do so. It can vary depending on the details of your bus accident, so contact our attorney to learn more. You will also need to file a notice of claim with the government if the bus driver was at fault.
The time to file a notice of claim can vary from one jurisdiction to another. However, it usually needs to be submitted in a relatively short period of time. Talk to our attorney right away to ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines that could affect your ability to file.
What should I do following a bus accident?
You should do several things after a bus accident to protect your health and your right to compensation, including:
- Remaining at the scene of the crash until police arrive
- Taking pictures of your injuries and the accident
- Getting contact information from witnesses
- Seeking medical attention and keeping all documents from your visit
- Contacting an attorney for legal advice
Can I sue if I was a passenger injured in a bus accident?
You can often file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for your bus accident injuries. At-fault parties may include a negligent pedestrian, cyclist, or driver, as well as those responsible for road or bus maintenance. Suing the bus driver themselves is not as straightforward.
Bus drivers are often government employees, and they may receive certain protections. Talk to Mr. Wissner about the best way for you to obtain compensation in a bus accident lawsuit involving a negligent bus driver.
How long does a bus accident lawsuit take?
It is difficult to say how long any personal injury lawsuit may take. Some bus accident suits are resolved in a matter of months, while others last several years. Work with an experienced attorney like Mr. Wissner who can keep you informed on the progress of your case and give you reasonable estimates for its completion.
Keep in mind that successful bus accident lawsuits often award victims more money than what is available through insurance settlements.
Do you need a bus accident lawyer?
Bus accidents can be traumatic, and you may just want to take your insurance company's first settlement offer and be done with it. However, this does not benefit you or your family in the long run. Medical bills often end up exceeding what insurance companies are willing to offer, leaving you in a bad place.
Medical debt is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in America, and often arises from medical emergencies a person has no control over, such as a truck, bus, or car accident. If you have been injured in a bus accident, an experienced attorney is necessary to have on your side so that you are able to get maximum compensation.
How often do bus accidents occur?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 73,930 bus accidents occurred in 2019. That’s approximately 203 bus accidents per day.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that 258 individuals were killed in bus accidents in 2019, while 25,000 people were injured. Also in that year, 59,000 bus accidents resulted in property damage.
Buses often don’t have seat belts or airbags to protect riders from injury. But because of the size of a bus, a collision with a passenger vehicle is more likely to result in severe injury or death for the automobile’s occupants.
Who can I hold responsible for my bus accident injuries?
Individuals who have been injured as the result of a bus accident may be able to hold several people or entities responsible, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case. For example, if a passenger vehicle caused a bus accident, you may be able to file a claim against the driver or their insurance company.
Companies that produced malfunctioning equipment that led to an accident may also be liable. However, specific laws prevent lawsuits against some bus drivers, especially if they are government employees.
To determine who can be held liable in your case, it’s best to speak with skilled bus accident lawyer Reid B. Wissner in New York City.
How much compensation can I collect for my injuries?
The amount of compensation you can collect for injuries sustained due to a bus accident will vary. In most cases, you may be able to receive economic damages that provide for past and present medical expenses and lost income. You may also recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
A court may decide to award punitive damages if the accident resulted from especially egregious negligent actions.
To learn more about the damages you may be entitled to, schedule a consultation with bus accident attorney Reid. B. Wissner in New York City.
What type of medical costs might I face after my bus accident?
Most buses don’t contain safety features that other automobiles do, like seatbelts and airbags. Thus, a serious bus crash can result in significant injuries to occupants of the bus. It’s not uncommon for bus passengers to suffer back injuries, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, or broken bones.
Passengers of vehicles colliding with a bus may experience similar injuries, even if they wore seatbelts and were protected by airbags. The massive weight of a bus can cause significant damage to vehicles and property.
Individuals who suffer injuries from a bus accident may need extensive medical care. This can include diagnosis of injuries, medical treatments, physical or occupational therapy, ongoing doctor’s visits, and medical equipment costs.
What should I bring to my first consultation with a bus accident lawyer?
When meeting with Reid B. Wissner for a consultation, bring as much information about your bus crash as possible. Information that’s helpful to your case includes:
- Copies of information related to injuries sustained in the crash, including medical bills and treatment details
- Statements from your doctor detailing the extent of your injuries
- A police report from the crash
- Pictures of the crash scene, including injuries that you sustained and damage to the vehicles involved
- Insurance company information for drivers involved in the crash
Any other information related to the crash is also helpful for your initial consultation.
Client Testimonials:
- "Mr. Wissner and his team have been nothing but excellent throughout my entire experience dealing with them. Their professionalism and knowledge were beyond helpful during a difficult time in my life." - R.P.
- "Mr. Wissner was amazing and treated me as an individual and was very personable. He worked to get me the maximum results possible." - C.M./strong>
- "Mr. Reid Wissner is a great injury attorney. He worked extremely hard to help settle my case. He has been dedicated to all of my needs and concerns during the entire case. His paralegal Mrs. Esrella was great as well, making me comfortable whenever I visited his office, and answered any questions I had. I will recommend him to anyone who needs an injury attorney to represent them." - R.R.
Schedule Your Bus Accident Free Consultation Today
We offer free case evaluations for all bus accident victims, so don't hesitate to call Reid B. Wissner Law Offices at 212-406-9288 to schedule yours.
We don't want concerns over bus accident attorney fees to prevent you from getting the legal help you need, so in addition to free consultations, we also do not charge you anything unless your case is successful.
We serve clients in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens areas of New York.
