A Bus Accident Lawyer Who Gets Results For New Yorkers

If you were hit by a bus, make Keogh Crispi your first call.

Getting around by bus is a fact of life in New York – the Port Authority is the busiest bus terminal in the world – as is maneuvering around buses while on foot or in a car. Bus drivers and bus companies have a legal responsibility to operate their large vehicles safely – and when they don’t, the consequences can change lives forever. If you’ve been hurt in a bus accident, you have legal rights. We can protect them.

Keogh Crispi, P.C. has a winning track record representing bus accident victims, including a $120,000 recovery for a motorist who was rear-ended by a bus. Don’t go up against the bus company and their insurance company on your own, or with the wrong attorney. Schedule your free consultation with a New York bus accident attorney who gets results.

We’ll get to the bottom of your bus accident.

Like all drivers of large vehicles, bus drivers are required to undergo special training and meet high legal standards to operate their vehicles safely. Bus companies are required to train and supervise their drivers and maintain their vehicles. Unfortunately, those standards aren’t always met. Bus accidents may be caused by:

• Distracted driving: in addition to the same distractions that all drivers contend with, such as texting, eating, and using the radio, bus drivers need to be trained and prepared to deal with the distractions caused by passengers.
• Driving under the influence: drivers of commercial vehicles, such as buses, are held to stricter standards than other motorists, but some choose to ignore the law.
• Inadequate surveillance: this is a legal term that basically means “not looking where you’re supposed to look.” Buses have large blind spots and make wide turns, so it’s critical that drivers stay attentive, especially when turning, pulling over, or pulling back into the roadway.
• Poor road conditions: bad weather means buses have increased stopping distance, and potholes or other obstructions on the roadway can make it harder for a bus to maneuver. Drivers must take these conditions into account.
• Mechanical issues: buses must be properly maintained to avoid equipment failure. Sometimes, a bus company will fail to adequately maintain its vehicles, or a mechanic may miss something. Other accidents are caused by manufacturing defects.

Depending on the circumstances, liability for a bus accident could fall on the bus company, a manufacturer, or even the driver of a third vehicle. No two accidents are the same – but you can rest assured that the insurance company will always take advantage of any ambiguity to protect their interests. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible, and that leaves injured New Yorkers at a disadvantage. Getting the right attorney on your side will make all the difference.

Understand the legal issues that can emerge in bus accident cases.

Whether the bus in question is owned by the government or a private company, buses carry much larger insurance policies with much higher limits than cars. That can be a double-edged sword: it means there is more coverage available for your injuries, but it also means the insurance companies have an added financial incentive to dispute, delay, and deny claims. They will put their most experienced lawyers and adjusters on the case and use every trick in the book to protect their interests.

Bus accidents are also unusual in that they often involve dozens of people. If there were many passengers injured, the available insurance for the accident may be split many ways, so even with the high overall limit, it can be tough to get full compensation for your injuries.

Finally, when dealing with public buses, there are strict deadlines that must be met. If you were hurt by a bus operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) or a part of the MTA like the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), there is a strict 90-day period to file a Notice of Claim. There is also a shorter statute of limitations (legal deadline) at one year and 90 days. The statute of limitations for cases involving private buses is more generous, usually three years, but it’s still in your interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, before evidence disappears and witnesses forget what they saw.

We fight for full value for bus accident victims.

Whether you were in a car, on foot, or a passenger on the bus itself, a bus accident can have life-altering implications. You may have significant medical bills and be out of work for some time. Your home life is affected, too. Every cost you’ve experienced should be accounted for, and you have the legal right to be made whole again with fair compensation.

When you come to us for a free consultation, we’ll listen to your story. You know what happened, and you know how it’s affected your life. That story is the key to the outcome of your case. Our investigation focuses on the “how” and “why” behind your story, the evidence to back you up. We’ll take immediate action to preserve evidence, hold the bus company or other negligent party accountable, and pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Throughout the process, we’ll handle the day-to-day negotiations with the insurance company while keeping you informed and involving you in the strategic direction of your case. In most cases, we’re able to reach a fair settlement outside court: once the insurance companies see that we’re prepared to take your case to a jury, they usually pay up. If not, we’re ready to take them to trial.

Take immediate action after a bus accident in New York.

Again, there are strict deadlines to take legal action after a bus accident, so it’s in your interest to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. The consultation is free, and if you choose to hire us, it’s on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything unless and until we win your case. If we don’t win, we don’t get paid. In short, you can afford to hire us – and you can’t afford to go it alone.

Let’s start building a winning strategy so that you can rebuild your life. Contact us online or give us a call today to schedule your free consultation with a New York bus accident attorney.