Bus Accident Lawyer in Long Island
A bus ride isn’t supposed to end with an ambulance, a hospital visit, or weeks away from work. But when something goes wrong, passengers and others caught in the crash can suffer serious injuries.
A Long Island bus accident lawyer can help you find out who was responsible and what compensation may be available. At Edelman, Krasin & Jaye, we’ve recovered over half a billion dollars for injured clients, and we’re ready to hear what happened to you.
You may not even know which company operated the bus or who to contact about your injuries. That’s where we come in. Our Long Island personal injury lawyers at Edelman, Krasin & Jaye can investigate the accident, explain your options, and deal with the insurance company. We’re available 24/7, so you don’t have to wait until business hours to ask for help.
Who is Responsible for a Bus Accident on Long Island?
The bus driver isn’t necessarily the only person responsible for a crash. A transportation company may have failed to maintain the vehicle, another motorist may have caused the collision, or defective brakes could have played a part. Sometimes there’s more than one responsible party.
Consider a bus that loses control near the Hempstead Transit Center or collides with a vehicle along Old Country Road. Determining fault means looking at what the driver did, the condition of the bus, and whether someone else contributed to the accident.
Depending on what happened, a claim may involve:
- Bus driver negligence: A driver who was speeding, distracted, or failed to yield to another vehicle.
- Transportation company negligence: An operator that overlooked maintenance problems or failed to address known safety concerns.
- School district responsibility: A district whose negligent actions contributed to an accident involving school transportation.
- Defective equipment: Faulty brakes, tires, or other components that contributed to the collision.
At Edelman, Krasin & Jaye, we look at each possible source of liability before deciding how to pursue a personal injury claim.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accident lawyer serving Long Island, call (800) 469-7429
Why Bus Passenger Injuries Can Be Complicated
You don’t have to be involved in a major traffic collision to get seriously hurt on a bus. A sudden stop can send a standing passenger into a handrail or knock someone to the floor. Even passengers who are seated can suffer injuries when a bus makes an abrupt turn or gets struck by another vehicle.
A hard fall or sudden impact on a bus can cause broken bones, torn ligaments, or injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Depending on how badly someone is hurt, they may need months of treatment and still struggle with pain, missed work, or activities that used to be easy.
Proving what caused the injury can be difficult, especially when there wasn’t an obvious collision. A Long Island bus accident attorney can help determine whether the driver failed to exercise reasonable care or if another party’s negligence contributed to what happened.
Long Island Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 469-7429
Does It Matter Which Bus Company Was Involved?
Yes, and it’s worth figuring that out early. Long Island has several different bus services, and they don’t all operate under the same arrangements. Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE Bus), Suffolk County Transit, Hampton Jitney, school buses, and private charter coaches may involve different operators and insurance policies.
For example, Suffolk County Transit is county-owned and managed, but private companies operate its routes under contract. That distinction matters when identifying who may be legally responsible. A claim involving a private tour bus may look quite different from one involving a public authority.
For many personal injury lawsuits, CPLR § 214 provides a three-year filing period. However, claims involving public entities can have shorter deadlines. Under New York General Municipal Law § 50-e, certain claims against public entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
Not every bus accident claim falls under this rule, and other transportation authorities may have separate requirements. Edelman, Krasin & Jaye can help determine which deadlines apply before valuable time is lost.
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The Evidence That Matters After a Bus Crash
One frustrating thing about bus accidents is that much of the useful evidence may be in someone else’s hands. Transportation businesses can have records showing where a bus traveled, who was driving, and whether the vehicle had mechanical problems before the crash.
A Long Island bus accident lawyer may need to request or preserve information before it’s lost or overwritten. Important evidence can include:
- Onboard video: Camera footage that may show how a passenger fell or how a collision occurred.
- GPS data: Location and movement information that may help establish the bus’s route and timing.
- Driver logs: Records identifying the driver and potentially showing work schedules or driving hours.
- Maintenance records: Inspection reports and repair histories that may reveal mechanical problems.
- Accident documentation: Police reports, witness statements, photographs, and the bus’s fleet number.
If you’re able to photograph the bus or write down its route number, do it. But don’t worry if you couldn’t gather everything at the scene. Edelman, Krasin & Jaye can help identify what records may still be available.
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What Can You Recover After a Serious Bus Injury?
A bus accident can create expenses that keep adding up long after the initial medical treatment. You might miss several paychecks, need surgery, or discover that returning to your old job isn’t possible.
What you may be able to recover depends on how the accident happened, how seriously you were hurt, and what insurance coverage is available.
That could mean compensation for hospital bills, physical therapy, missed paychecks, or treatment you’ll need later on. You may also be able to seek damages for the pain, emotional distress, and other ways the injury has affected your life. Our attorneys at Edelman, Krasin & Jaye review your losses and determine a fair value for your claim.
Talk to a Long Island Bus Accident Attorney About Your Injuries
Maybe you were hurt while riding a NICE Bus, injured in a school bus collision, or struck by a shuttle bus. Whatever happened, you deserve to know whether you have a case. Edelman, Krasin & Jaye offers free consultations, and we’ll take the time to listen rather than rush you through your questions.
Our founding partner, Paul Edelman, previously worked as in-house counsel for insurance companies. That experience gives our legal team insight into how insurers evaluate and defend injury claims. We also believe you should be able to reach your attorney when you need answers, not spend days waiting for a call back.
Call or text our team or complete our free case evaluation form. You can meet with a Long Island bus accident attorney at our Westbury office, arrange a Zoom consultation, or ask about having us travel to you. Contact Edelman, Krasin & Jaye today, and let’s talk about your next steps.
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