Yonkers Bus Accident Lawyer

You hear the screech of tires and a sickening thud, and the world suddenly seems to be tilting on its axis. The impact of a crash is seared into your mind, and the memory of it lingers as your body reels with pain. A bus ride in Yonkers has quickly become a life-changing event, and you are now left with injuries, increasing medical bills, and countless questions.

Once the chaos settles, the recovery path may seem unclear—but hope exists. With the right Yonkers bus accident lawyer by your side, you can reclaim control of your life and seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Bus Accident?

Here are five things you can do to make the most of your claim and get justice faster:

• Get immediate medical attention for your injuries;
• If you can safely do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries;
• Collect information at the accident scene, including witness names, contact details, driver information, and the bus company’s insurance details; and
• Contact our Yonkers bus accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Following these steps can safeguard your rights and enhance the likelihood of a successful claim for compensation for your resultant losses.

New York State Laws Governing Bus Accidents

Understanding New York’s legal framework for bus accidents is essential when pursuing compensation. Let’s look at some key regulations.

Duty of Care for Bus Operators

Under New York law, common carriers—including public and private bus operators—are held to a heightened duty of care. This means they must take every reasonable precaution to drive safely and ensure the safety of passengers and everyone with whom they share the road. If this duty is breached and harm results, you have the right to file a negligence claim.

Negligence, or the failure to exercise reasonable care, must be proven to establish liability in a bus accident case. This means demonstrating that the bus driver or another responsible party failed to act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. You must also prove that the breach of the duty of care led to harm that caused financial and other losses.

What If I Was a Pedestrian Hit By a Bus?

Pedestrian injuries sustained in bus accidents can result in severe physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Just like passengers involved in bus accidents, pedestrians have the legal right to seek compensation for their injuries. Your Yonkers bus accident injury lawyer will help establish negligence and assess damages related to your injuries.

Comparative Negligence

New York follows a comparative negligence rule. That rule establishes that you may still be able to recover damages if you are partially responsible for the accident, but your compensation is reduced based on your percentage of fault.

Statute of Limitations

The time you have to file a lawsuit depends on the defendant. New York’s general personal injury statute applies to private bus companies, giving you three years to file. However, if the bus is operated by a government entity, such as the Yonkers Department of Transportation, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days and initiate the lawsuit within one year and 90 days. Your lawyer will know if any exceptions apply in your case.

Municipal Liability Challenges

Suing a government entity involves unique hurdles. Municipalities (city and local governments) are protected from certain claims by sovereign immunity unless you can prove negligence. These cases often require concrete proof of improper maintenance, inadequate training, or other failures directly linked to the crash.

If the City of Yonkers operates the bus involved in the accident, you might encounter the complexities of suing a municipality. New York law grants municipalities limited immunity from certain types of lawsuits.

However, exceptions exist, such as when the municipality acted negligently, or the accident resulted from a dangerous condition on city property. For instance, if a city bus driver caused the accident due to distracted driving, proving negligence may hold both the driver and the city accountable.

Vicarious Liability

The bus company may often be liable for its drivers’ actions under the vicarious liability doctrine. This principle holds that an employer is responsible for its employee’s negligent acts that fall within the scope of their employment.

Can I Sue the Bus Driver Directly?

While filing a claim against the negligent bus driver is possible, the bus company or their employer can also be liable. Identifying the correct defendants is essential.

Why Bus Accidents Demand Special Attention

The complexity and consequences of bus accidents distinguish them from other motor vehicle collisions. These incidents, whether they involve public transportation, school buses, or private charters, frequently result in serious injuries due to confined spaces and lack of seatbelts.

Liability can also be more challenging to determine because multiple parties may share responsibility, including government entities, private bus companies, or other third-parties.

Common causes of bus accidents in Yonkers include:

• Driver negligence—fatigue, distraction, or impaired driving;
• Mechanical failures—poor maintenance or defective parts;
• Road hazards—poorly maintained streets or unclear signage; and
• Weather conditions—slippery roads or limited visibility.

A skilled Yonkers bus crash attorney will thoroughly investigate the crash to identify the root cause and determine who is responsible for your injuries.

Compensation

In a bus accident case, potential compensable damages include:

• Medical expenses—covering current and future treatment, rehabilitation, and assistive devices;
• Lost wages—including paychecks you’ve already missed and future earnings lost due to long-term injuries;
• Pain and suffering—addressing physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident;
• Property damage—covering the cost of repairing or replacing personal items damaged during the crash; and
• Punitive damages—awarding additional compensation in rare cases of gross negligence to deter similar future conduct.

These damages ease financial burdens and provide a sense of justice and closure.

Why You Need a Yonkers Commercial Bus Accident Lawyer

Recovering from a bus accident is overwhelming, especially when managing medical care alongside intricate legal processes. Our team at Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers brings:

• Local knowledge—decades of experience handling cases in Yonkers and understanding its unique legal landscape;
• Proven success—a track record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts for accident victims; and
• Comprehensive support—guidance through every step, from filing claims to courtroom representation.

When you choose our firm, you’re not just hiring attorneys—you’re gaining trusted allies dedicated to your well-being and justice.

Your Story Deserves to Be Told, and We Can Help

Don’t let the aftermath of a bus accident define your life. At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, we’ll guide you through the legal process, listen to your story and answer your questions. We have been helping injured clients fight for their rights and obtain fair compensation for over 30 years. Contact our bus accident law firm today for a free consultation.