Bus Accidents
Who Might Be Liable for a Bus Accident?
If you were hurt in a bus accident, New York law may allow you to recover medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages — but first you'll need to determine who was actually responsible. The circumstances of the crash determine who that is.
1. The Municipality
If a government-owned and -operated bus struck you, you may have a claim against the municipality — but you'll need to move quickly. In most cases you have just 90 days to file a formal Notice of Claim before any lawsuit against a government entity can proceed.
2. The Transportation Company
Many buses are owned and operated by private companies, which have a duty to background-check and properly train their drivers and keep their vehicles in safe condition. If a company failed in that duty, a claim is typically brought against the company itself rather than the driver individually.
3. The Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer
If the driver lost control because of a mechanical failure, the manufacturer of the bus or the defective part may bear responsibility.
4. Another Motorist
If another driver caused the bus to veer off course, that driver may be liable. Because New York is a no-fault state, a claim against another motorist generally requires meeting the state's “serious injury” threshold — which includes fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body function, or at least 90 days of disability within 180 days of the accident, among other criteria.
Hurt in a Bus Accident?
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