Can I sue the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) for a bus accident?
Yes, but suing the NYCTA involves strict deadlines and legal procedures. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. If this deadline is missed, you may lose your right to sue. Government entities like the NYCTA also have strong legal defenses, so working with an experienced attorney is crucial.
What if I was injured in a bus accident but wasn’t a passenger?
You can still file a claim. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other vehicles involved in a collision with a bus may be eligible for compensation. The claims process will depend on who was at fault and whether the bus was privately owned or part of a government-operated transit system.
Can I still recover compensation if the bus driver wasn’t entirely at fault?
Yes. New York follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your settlement would be reduced by 20%.
Are there different rules for suing a private bus company versus a public transit bus?
Yes. Suing a private bus company follows standard personal injury law, while suing a public transit bus requires filing a claim against a government agency, such as the NYCTA or the MTA. Government claims have shorter deadlines, strict procedural requirements, and liability caps in certain cases.
Can I file a bus accident claim if the bus was not in motion when I was injured?
Yes. Passengers can suffer injuries from sudden stops, unsafe boarding or exiting conditions, malfunctioning doors, or driver negligence while the bus is stationary. In these cases, liability may still fall on the bus operator or the company responsible for maintaining the bus.
What happens if the bus company denies responsibility for the accident?
Bus companies and transit authorities often deny liability to avoid paying claims. In such cases, a thorough investigation, including obtaining surveillance footage, black box data, driver records, and witness statements, can be key to proving fault. An attorney experienced in bus accident litigation can help collect and present this evidence effectively.
Can I claim compensation if a reckless passenger caused the bus accident?
Yes. If another passenger’s reckless actions led to an accident or injury, liability may extend to both the individual and the bus company. If the bus driver or company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a dangerous passenger from causing harm, they may also be held responsible.
What if the accident was caused by poor road conditions or a defective bus part?
Liability in these cases may extend beyond the bus driver or company. If hazardous road conditions contributed to the crash, a claim may be filed against the government agency responsible for maintaining the roads. If a defective bus part caused the accident, the manufacturer or maintenance provider may be held accountable.
Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one was killed in a bus accident?
Yes. If a family member died due to a bus accident caused by negligence, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Compensation may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and pain and suffering damages. However, wrongful death claims have strict deadlines in New York, making it important to seek legal representation as soon as possible.
Yes, but suing the NYCTA involves strict deadlines and legal procedures. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. If this deadline is missed, you may lose your right to sue. Government entities like the NYCTA also have strong legal defenses, so working with an experienced attorney is crucial.
You can still file a claim. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other vehicles involved in a collision with a bus may be eligible for compensation. The claims process will depend on who was at fault and whether the bus was privately owned or part of a government-operated transit system.
Yes. New York follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your settlement would be reduced by 20%.
Yes. Suing a private bus company follows standard personal injury law, while suing a public transit bus requires filing a claim against a government agency, such as the NYCTA or the MTA. Government claims have shorter deadlines, strict procedural requirements, and liability caps in certain cases.
Yes. Passengers can suffer injuries from sudden stops, unsafe boarding or exiting conditions, malfunctioning doors, or driver negligence while the bus is stationary. In these cases, liability may still fall on the bus operator or the company responsible for maintaining the bus.
Bus companies and transit authorities often deny liability to avoid paying claims. In such cases, a thorough investigation, including obtaining surveillance footage, black box data, driver records, and witness statements, can be key to proving fault. An attorney experienced in bus accident litigation can help collect and present this evidence effectively.
Yes. If another passenger’s reckless actions led to an accident or injury, liability may extend to both the individual and the bus company. If the bus driver or company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a dangerous passenger from causing harm, they may also be held responsible.
Liability in these cases may extend beyond the bus driver or company. If hazardous road conditions contributed to the crash, a claim may be filed against the government agency responsible for maintaining the roads. If a defective bus part caused the accident, the manufacturer or maintenance provider may be held accountable.
Yes. If a family member died due to a bus accident caused by negligence, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Compensation may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and pain and suffering damages. However, wrongful death claims have strict deadlines in New York, making it important to seek legal representation as soon as possible.
