New York City Bus Accident Lawyers

NYC Bus Accident Statistics

Recent data from March 2025 reveals a troubling picture of bus safety across New York City. In just one month, there were 282 bus-involved crashes citywide, contributing to a staggering 3,870 injuries and 12 fatalities across all vehicle types.

City bus crash data by borough:

• Brooklyn 80 bus crashes (1,343 injured, 5 killed across all types)
• Manhattan 66 bus collisions (547 injured, 0 killed across all types)
• Queens 59 bus crashes (1,133 injured, 4 killed across all types)
• Bronx 51 bus accidents (622 injured, 2 killed across all types)
• Staten Island 26 bus collisions (225 injured, 1 killed across all types)

The New York City Transit Authority operates over 5,700 buses daily, contributing to the risk of accidents involving both pedestrians and other vehicles.

Why Bus Accidents Happen in NYC

Examining the causes behind bus accidents reveals patterns of bus operator negligence that can strengthen your injury claim. These large vehicles present unique dangers on New York's crowded streets:

• Driver Fatigue Long shifts and tight schedules, leading to operators making vital errors due to exhaustion.
• Inadequate Training Bus companies rushing drivers through training, leaving them unprepared for NYC's challenging road conditions.
• Distracted Driving Operators checking schedules, using communication devices, or dealing with passenger issues while driving.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance Brake failures, tire problems, and mechanical issues caused by neglected inspection schedules.
• Dangerous Road Conditions Potholes, construction zones, and inadequate signage that city agencies fail to address.
• Overcrowding Buses operating beyond capacity, affecting stability and driver visibility
• Adverse Weather Snow, ice, and rain that create hazardous conditions when drivers fail to adjust accordingly.
• Traffic Law Violations Running red lights, improper lane changes, and aggressive driving to maintain schedules.
• Bus Design Flaws Poor visibility, inadequate safety features, or mechanical defects from manufacturers.
• Third-Party Negligence Other drivers cutting off buses or causing chain-reaction accidents.

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data, the top contributing factors in NYC injury crashes highlight preventable causes: driver inattention/distraction (1,920 vehicles involved), following too closely (530 vehicles), failure to yield the right-of-way (485 vehicles), and unsafe speed (267 vehicles).

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Bus accidents often cause severe injuries due to the vehicle's size, lack of passenger restraints, and potential for multi-vehicle involvement. These injuries frequently require extensive treatment and long-term care:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries From mild concussions to severe TBIs causing permanent cognitive impairment.
• Spinal Cord Damage Partial or complete paralysis from impact injuries, often leading to lifelong mobility challenges and medical care needs.
• Broken Bones Challenging fractures possibly requiring surgical intervention, metal plates, and extended physical therapy.
• Internal Injuries Damage to organs that may not show symptoms immediately but can be life-threatening if untreated.
• Soft Tissue Injuries Whiplash, sprains, and tears affecting muscles and ligaments, causing chronic pain and limited mobility.
• Facial Injuries Lacerations, dental damage, and eye injuries from impact with surfaces inside the bus.
• Psychological Trauma PTSD, anxiety, and depression following the traumatic experience, requiring mental health treatment.
• Amputation Loss of limbs from crushing injuries or medical complications, necessitating prosthetics and life adjustments.
• Burns From fuel fires or electrical issues, potentially causing disfigurement and requiring multiple surgeries.
• Wrongful Death Fatal injuries that leave families devastated and facing significant financial burdens.

What to Do After a Bus Accident in NYC

The moments following a bus accident are important for your health and your legal case. Taking these steps will protect both your physical recovery and your right to compensation:

1. Get Medical Help Immediately Even if injuries seem minor, seek treatment right away. Some serious conditions, like internal bleeding or head injuries, may not show immediate symptoms but can worsen without proper care.
2. Report the Accident Make sure the accident is officially documented. If it's an MTA bus, the driver is required to file a report, but confirm this happens. For school or private buses, contact the police to ensure an accident report is completed.
3. Collect Evidence If you're able, take photos of the accident scene, the bus, other vehicles involved, road conditions, and your injuries. This visual documentation can be invaluable for your case.
4. Gather Witness Information Get names and contact details from other passengers, pedestrians, or drivers who saw what happened. Their accounts can strengthen your claim significantly.
5. Avoid Detailed Statements Don't give recorded statements to insurance companies or accept quick settlement offers. These early offers are almost always far less than your case is worth.
6. Document Everything Keep all medical records, receipts for expenses related to your injuries, and notes about how the accident affects your daily life and ability to work.
7. Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer Before speaking with insurance companies, consult with an attorney who has specific experience with NYC bus accident cases.

Statute of Limitations for Bus Accident Claims

Act quickly, or you could lose your right to compensation forever. For accidents involving public transportation, like MTA buses and the New York City Transit Authority, you must file a Notice of Claim within just 90 days, followed by a lawsuit within one year and 90 days.

For private bus companies, the standard three-year statute of limitations applies, while wrongful death claims must be filed within two years. Bus ownership determines which deadline applies, making immediate legal consultation crucial.

Compensation You Can Recover from a Bus Accident

Insurance companies often focus only on immediate medical bills, but true compensation must account for both current and future consequences:

• Medical Expenses All costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, assistive devices, and future medical needs related to your injuries.
• Lost Income Wages lost during recovery, reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work, lost benefits, and diminished career opportunities.
• Pain and Suffering Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and the overall impact of the trauma on your quality of life.
• Property Damage Replacement or repair costs for personal property damaged in the accident, including vehicles, electronics, or other valuables.
• Home Modifications Costs for adapting your living space to accommodate new physical limitations resulting from your injuries.
• Transportation Expenses Additional costs for medical appointments, necessary transportation needs, or accessibility modifications to vehicles.
• Household Services Compensation for services you can no longer perform yourself, such as cleaning, yard work, childcare, or home maintenance.
• Loss of Enjoyment Damages for activities, hobbies, and experiences you can no longer participate in due to your injuries.
• Loss of Consortium Compensation for the impact on your relationship with your spouse or family members.

Insurance companies often rush to offer settlements that fall significantly short of covering these damages. Our attorneys work with medical professionals, economists, and life-care planners to calculate the true value of your case and fight for fair compensation.

How Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP Can Help You

Our approach prioritizes your recovery needs while building a case for maximum compensation:

• Immediate Investigation We move quickly to secure bus camera footage, maintenance records, and witness statements before this core evidence disappears.
• Access to Partners Our attorneys who handle your case are the decision-makers themselves, not junior associates — giving you direct communication with the legal minds fighting for your compensation.
• Public Entity Experience We handle the strict legal requirements for claims involving the MTA, school districts, and other government entities, preventing procedural errors that could derail your case.
• Insurance Company Shield We handle all communications with adjusters and defense attorneys, blocking tactics designed to minimize your non-economic damages.
• Comprehensive Medical Documentation We work with your healthcare providers to fully document how your physical injuries affect every aspect of your life.