Mount Vernon Bus Accident Lawyer

New York has one of the highest rates of bus crashes in the country. In 2024, there were 927 bus crashes, with 13 resulting in fatalities. If you or someone you love was a victim of a bus crash, you deserve justice and compensation.

At Greenspan & Greenspan, we understand the severity a bus crash can take on your life. Bills can quickly pile up, and your injury may leave you unable to earn a living. You should not have to face these consequences alone. Our experienced Mount Vernon bus accident lawyer can help. 

Why Do New York Bus Accidents Happen?

Bus accidents can happen for many reasons, most of which are the same as any motor vehicle accident. Common reasons for bus crashes include:

• Bus driver error,
• Distracted driving,
• Disobeying traffic laws,
• Driving under the influence,
• Driver fatigue, and
• Failure to properly maintain and service the bus.

Sometimes, the cause of the crash is obvious, but often, it is not readily apparent, and it takes a lengthy investigation to determine the cause. Liability may also extend beyond the bus driver.

Under the doctrine of vicarious liability, even though the driver caused the crash, the employer may also be liable. Our Mount Vernon commercial bus accident lawyer will investigate all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery.

Types of Bus Accidents

There are generally two ways to be involved in a bus accident – as a bus occupant or as a non-bus occupant.

Bus Occupants

While it is generally safer to be a bus passenger than a car passenger, accidents happen, and the sheer size of buses can turn even low-speed accidents into serious incidents. Additionally, the nature of riding on a bus exposes passengers to potential injuries that do not involve a motor vehicle collision.

Bus occupants can be injured in the following scenarios: 

• Collision between the bus and another vehicle;
• The bus crashing into an object (e.g., street pole, building);
• Tripping, slipping, or falling inside the bus; or
• Being struck at a bus stop while waiting to board the bus.

No matter how you were injured, we can help you hold the party accountable for their actions.

Non-Bus Occupants

Buses share the streets with cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles, and they share the landscape with pedestrians and bicyclists. Even more common than being a bus occupant injured in an accident is to be a non-occupant injured by a bus. 

Common accidents involving non-bus occupants include: 

• Read-end collisions;
• Wide turn accidents;
• Sideswipes and veering into an adjacent lane;
• Bike lane accidents; and
• Crosswalk accidents.

Buses can do tremendous damage with little force. If you were injured by a bus, you need experienced legal representation. 

Determining Fault in a Bus Accident

Because of the nature of a bus crash, determining who is ultimately responsible usually takes an extensive investigation. 

Some factors to help determine fault include:

• Police reports;
• Eyewitness accounts;
• Violation of traffic laws;
• Driver actions before, during, and after the crash;
• Evidence at the scene; and 
• Expert analysis and accident reconstruction.

Identifying who is at fault for the accident is no easy feat—often, more than one individual or entity may be to blame. Having a seasoned Mount Vernon bus crash attorney who understands what to look for and will leave no stone unturned is paramount to ensuring all responsible parties are held accountable. 

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Depending on the type and severity of the bus crash, the list of potential injuries can be endless. However, certain injuries tend to be seen more often in crashes of this magnitude:

• Traumatic brain injuries,
• Superficial and deep lacerations,
• Internal organ injuries,
• Whiplash and other neck injuries,
• Fractured bones,
• Back and spinal cord injuries,
• Paralysis,
• Severe road rash,
• Soft tissue injuries, and
• Death.

The type of accident will often influence the kind of injuries. For instance, if you are a bus passenger involved in a collision, your injuries may significantly differ from those of a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a bus.

It is common to suffer multiple injuries ranging in severity during a bus accident. No matter the severity of your injuries, you deserve compensation. We can help.

Potential Damages in a Bus Crash

The damages or potential compensation you may recover after a bus accident will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injury, insurance policy limits, and available evidence.

While each case is unique, you can generally seek economic and noneconomic damages.

Economic Damages

Your economic damages will be based mainly on your calculable financial losses due to the accident. These can include:

• Medical bills;
• Anticipated medical expenses;
• Lost wages; and
• Cost to repair or replace the property (e.g., a car or bicycle involved in the incident).

As you might imagine, economic damages can vary substantially from one case to another. For instance, a bus accident victim with temporary superficial injuries and little time missed from work will likely recover less than someone who endured permanent severe injury and was unable to return to work. Your attorney will work closely with you to quantify your expected damages.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages can be more nuanced and difficult to calculate. Subjective damages cannot be quantified using receipts, invoices, or estimates. Instead, they are measurable in a different way. Noneconomic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering, 
• Loss of companionship,
• Mental anguish, and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

While calculating and proving noneconomic damages may be more complex than economic damages, you are nevertheless entitled to them as an accident victim. With testimony, journals, expert opinions, and reports, your attorney will help you seek all the damages you deserve. 

Sometimes, in rare circumstances of extreme negligence or misconduct, a bus accident victim may be awarded punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish defendants for their egregious behavior and deter similar conduct.

Upon review of your case, your Mount Vernon bus accident attorney will discuss whether you might be entitled to punitive damages. 

Statute of Limitations for Bus Crashes in New York

Generally, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, including a bus crash. In other words, you have three years from the date of the accident to initiate a civil suit. However, there are exceptions to the general rule.

For instance, minors under the age of 18 will typically have three years from their 18th birthday to pursue their claim. Another important exception to the three-year rule, especially when dealing with bus crashes, is when a government agency is involved.

For example, if the bus is owned and operated by the state of New York, a city, or a municipality, the time for filing a claim can be significantly shorter, sometimes as little as a few months. It is imperative to seek guidance from an experienced bus accident lawyer immediately to preserve your right to pursue compensation. 

New York Bus Accident Law Firm

At Greenspan & Greenspan, we have over 30 years of experience advocating for clients during the most uncertain times in their lives. When dealing with all of the potential factors involved in a bus crash claim, it is essential to have a Mount Vernon bus injury lawyer on your side. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.