NEW YORK CITY BUS (MTA) ACCIDENT LAWYER

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New York City Bus (MTA) Accident Lawyer

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Alex Nocerino

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Alex Nocerino is a founding partner at our firm and a successful trial lawyer with roots in New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. He has helped injured individuals win hundreds of millions in compensation from large corporations, government entities, and wealthy landlords.

With 18 years of experience, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2019 and has a five-star Avvo rating. He is a true New Yorker and a successful trial lawyer who is unafraid to go up against even the powerful and combative defendants.

Content Last Updated: November 5, 2024

New York City’s MTA bus system transports over a million people daily. With so many buses on the road, accidents are a fact of life here. However, these accidents can have life-altering consequences for those involved.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an MTA bus accident, you have options. Chopra & Nocerino can help you seek the compensation you need to move forward. Our New York bus accident lawyers are fluent in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Greek, and Creole, so we’re here for you no matter what language you speak. There is no risk in talking with our attorneys, so contact us today for a free consultation. Contáctenos para una consulta gratuita.

Why Hire a New York Bus Accident Lawyer From Chopra & Nocerino?

The MTA has an operating budget of over $19 billion, giving it substantial resources to fight accident claims. Thus, it may try to downplay your injury’s severity or offer a low settlement in hopes that you will accept it and not seek further legal action. Hiring an experienced New York bus accident lawyer from Chopra & Nocerino can make all the difference.

We have over 20 years of experience representing thousands of injured New Yorkers and their families. We’ve had our fair share of negotiations with the MTA and know their tactics well. Our MTA accident lawyers will advocate for your best interests and aren’t afraid to go to trial if necessary.

Chopra & Nocerino Bus Accident Case Results

Our results speak for themselves. Our NYC bus accident lawyers have achieved several seven- and eight-figure settlements for people injured in MTA bus accidents:

$10 Million Settlement for a 77-year-old woman who was driving through a Brooklyn intersection when her vehicle struck a public bus
$1.3 Million Settlement for a 34-year-old woman who was injured when she stepped off the back of an MTA NYC Transit Authority Bus in Brooklyn

Types of New York Bus Accident Claims We Handle

Anyone who uses NYC’s roads has the potential to be injured in a bus accident. Whether you were riding on the bus, driving another vehicle, or walking near the bus stop, our NYC bus accident lawyers can help you navigate your accident claim.

Passenger Injuries

The rate of MTA bus accidents involving passengers has gradually risen since 2020. While riding in a city bus is usually safer than riding in a car, there still are injury risks. Not all MTA buses have seat belts, so a sudden stop can cause passengers to fall or collide with other passengers or objects on the bus. MTA buses also may cause passenger injuries when they stop to load and unload passengers at unsafe locations.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are no match for a large, heavy bus. MTA bus drivers may fail to see passengers crossing the street or fail to yield at crosswalks and stop signs. A bus driver may also strike a pedestrian while turning a corner if they fail to first look both ways. Pedestrians often suffer catastrophic injuries or even death in these types of accidents due to the lack of protection against the force of a moving bus.

Bicycle Accidents

While New York City has made strides in creating designated bike lanes, bicyclists still have to share the road with buses. When a bus and bicycle collide, the cyclist is at a significant disadvantage. Bus driver error contributes to many of these accidents—drivers may fail to see cyclists when turning or merging, or they may drive too close to the bike lane. They also may make sudden stops when a bicyclist is riding close behind or open the bus doors into the bike lane without checking for oncoming traffic.

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Many accidents involving MTA buses also involve other motor vehicles, such as cars and motorcycles. Due to a bus’s size and weight, the risk of serious injuries is high, even in a low-speed motor vehicle collision. Common causes of these accidents include bus drivers failing to yield, changing lanes without signaling, stopping suddenly, and not checking blind spots. Improper bus maintenance can also contribute to motor vehicle accidents, such as if the MTA fails to make necessary repairs.

Slip and Fall Injuries

The MTA owns and maintains bus stations, platforms, and vehicles. If you slipped and fell on MTA property as a passenger or pedestrian, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Unsafe conditions such as wet floors, broken steps, inadequate lighting, icy sidewalks, and ground debris can all cause slip-and-fall accidents. Failure to properly address these hazards can make the MTA liable for injuries.

Wrongful Death Claims

MTA bus accidents can cause fatal injuries. If you have lost a loved one in a bus accident due to the MTA’s negligence or misconduct, you may be eligible to seek wrongful death damages. You may be compensated for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of the victim’s financial support, and more.

Driver Negligence

Many MTA bus accidents are preventable incidents caused by driver negligence. For example, bus operators may drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fail to obey traffic laws, text while driving, speed, or engage in other reckless behaviors.

New York City Bus Accident Injury FAQs

You likely have many questions after being involved in an MTA bus accident. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you understand your rights and options.

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim After a Bus Accident Injury?

New York’s personal injury statute of limitations typically gives you three years from the accident date to file a claim. However, the deadline for claims involving a city or state-operated bus is shorter. If you plan to file a claim against New York City or New York State, you must notify the responsible agency within 90 days of the accident. You must also file a lawsuit within one year and 90 days of the accident. Our New York bus injury lawyers will determine which deadline applies to your case and take timely action to preserve your rights.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover in a Bus Accident Case in New York?

If you have a valid New York bus accident claim, you can recover compensation for any losses you suffered from the accident. These losses, called damages, may include the following:

Past, current, and future medical expenses
Lost wages for time you missed from work
Reduced earning capacity if your injuries force you to take a lower-paying job or prevent you from returning to work altogether
Physical and occupational therapy
Assistive devices or home and vehicle modifications
Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional distress
Permanent disability and disfigurement
Loss of consortium, or companionship, which concerns the impact of your injuries on your marriage

What Is the Process Like for Bus Accident Lawsuits in New York?

Each bus accident case follows a slightly different path, but you can expect your case to include these basic steps:

Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation: Our attorneys will meet with you for free and discuss your case. We’ll tell you whether we believe you have a valid claim and how we can help. It’s important to schedule this initial meeting promptly so we can start gathering evidence early while it’s still available and hasn’t been compromised.
Discovery and Investigation: During this phase, we’ll gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, witness statements, expert witness testimony, accident reports, and surveillance footage. A thorough investigation will allow us to determine who is liable and prove how they caused your injuries.
Filing a Bus Accident Injury Claim: If we agree to proceed with your case, we’ll file a demand letter with the MTA. The letter will outline your injuries, damages, and demands for compensation. We’ll make sure to execute this step within the deadline specified by the New York statute of limitations.
Settlement Negotiations: We’ll negotiate on your behalf and advocate for a fair settlement. This process will involve back-and-forth discussions and the presentation of evidence to support your claim.
Trial Process: If the company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’ll be ready to take your case to trial. Our attorneys will prepare you for courtroom proceedings and represent you in front of a judge and jury.
Post-Trial Appeals and Collecting Compensation: If we don’t agree with the court’s decision, we may file an appeal. Otherwise, we’ll follow up to ensure you receive the compensation the court awarded you.

New York-Specific Considerations in Bus Accident Cases

Various state-specific laws and regulations may come into play during your New York bus accident case.

Government Immunity

Sovereign immunity generally shields state governments from lawsuits involving property conditions or acts of their employees. However, New York waives sovereign immunity in most cases. To take advantage of New York’s sovereign immunity waiver, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days of your injury. Our attorneys are familiar with the notification process and can help you meet this requirement.

Public Transportation Regulations

The MTA’s violation of state or federal public transit regulations can strengthen your case. For instance, all non-school buses must be equipped with specific safety equipment, including fire extinguishers and road reflectors. MTA buses also must undergo regular inspections and put unsafe vehicles out of service. We can use our understanding of these regulations to determine if any violations occurred and prove the MTA’s liability.

Involvement of Multiple Parties

New York follows the rule of comparative negligence, meaning multiple parties can be simultaneously liable for an accident. The bus driver, their employer, and other motorists could all share responsibility. These cases can be complex, but our legal team has what it takes to identify and prove each party’s fault.

Contact Chopra & Nocerino, New York City’s Top Bus Accident Lawyers

You’re handling enough after a bus accident. Allow our MTA injury lawyers to navigate the legal details while you focus on your recovery. We have helped countless people pursue bus accident claims against government agencies and the MTA. We’re ready to put this experience to work in your favor.