Bronx Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents in the Bronx happen nearly every day. With thousands of MTA buses navigating crowded streets, tight turns, and constant stops, crashes involving buses injure hundreds of New Yorkers each year. The size and weight of these vehicles mean even low-speed collisions can cause devastating harm.

If you were hurt on a bus or struck by one, you need to know your legal options now. Bus accident claims involve different rules, shorter deadlines, and government agencies that aggressively resist paying victims what they deserve. At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we know precisely how to handle these complex cases.

Our multilingual team has helped countless Bronx residents stand up to the MTA and private bus companies, securing the compensation needed for medical bills, lost income, and ongoing care.

The evidence in your case is disappearing right now. Bus companies may not retain onboard video footage unless they are formally asked to preserve it. Witnesses move on. Call us today at (718) 588-2000 to protect your rights before it’s too late.

Injured in a Bronx Bus Accident? We’re Here 24/7 to Help

When a bus crash happens in the Bronx, passengers face unique dangers that car accident victims don’t experience. Buses lack seatbelts and airbags, leaving riders vulnerable to being thrown around the vehicle during impact. Standing passengers are especially at risk of serious injury in a collision.

At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we understand the physical and emotional trauma you’re facing after a bus accident. Our team is available around the clock to provide immediate legal guidance when you need it most. We offer free consultations in English, Spanish, Greek, French Creole, and Korean, ensuring language never becomes a barrier to justice.

You won’t pay a single dollar unless we win your case. This contingency fee arrangement allows you to focus on recovery while we handle the legal battle against powerful transit authorities and insurance companies.

Why Choose Grigor Law for Your Bronx Bus Accident Case

Chrissy Grigoropoulos has built a reputation as a fierce advocate who doesn’t back down in the face of opposition. Her courtroom presence and thorough preparation have earned respect from judges and opposing counsel throughout New York. When insurance companies see our firm representing you, they know we’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.

Our immediate response sets us apart from other law firms. We understand that critical evidence disappears quickly in bus accident cases, especially onboard camera footage. Within hours of being hired, we send preservation letters to prevent the destruction of crucial evidence.

The clock starts ticking the moment your accident occurs. Call Grigor Law at (718) 588-2000 now to protect your rights and preserve vital evidence.

Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle in the Bronx

Our Bronx bus accident lawyers represent victims in crashes involving all types of buses operating throughout the borough. Each type of bus accident presents unique legal challenges and requires specific expertise to navigate successfully.

MTA and NYCTA Buses

Every day, millions of people ride Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses in the Bronx. These public buses must comply with strict safety regulations, but when an accident occurs, the rules for filing a claim differ. The MTA is a public benefit corporation, so your case has different regulations and deadlines.

School Buses

School bus accidents often involve children who may not understand their legal rights. Both public school district buses and private school transportation companies can be held liable for harm caused by their negligence. These cases require sensitivity and expertise in handling claims involving minors.

Charter and Tour Buses

Private charter buses, tour buses, and casino shuttles frequently travel through the Bronx carrying passengers to various destinations. When these commercial operators cut corners on safety or maintenance, serious accidents can result. Interstate travel may complicate jurisdiction and applicable laws.

Airport and Hotel Shuttles

Shuttle services connecting airports, hotels, and other destinations operate throughout the Bronx. These smaller vehicles still pose significant risks when operators fail to comply with traffic laws or maintain their cars properly.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bronx Bus Accident

Multiple parties may share responsibility for your bus accident injuries. Identifying all liable parties is crucial for maximizing your compensation, which is the focus of your Bronx bus accident lawyer.

The Bus Driver

The bus driver bears primary responsibility for negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield. Driver fatigue due to excessive hours is also a common factor.

Bus Company/MTA

The bus company or MTA can be held liable for their drivers’ negligence (vicarious liability). They also face direct liability for inadequate driver training, poor hiring practices, or failure to perform proper vehicle maintenance. Maintenance companies that service the buses can also be sued if mechanical failure contributed to the crash.

Other Motorists and Third Parties

Other drivers frequently cause bus accidents by cutting off buses or failing to yield, which is especially dangerous given buses’ size and weight. Finally, government entities may be held responsible if poorly designed intersections, inadequate signage, or unsafe road conditions contributed to the accident.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in the Bronx

Most bus accidents result from avoidable mistakes, not from events beyond control. Knowing these common causes helps establish fault and build strong cases for those who have been hurt.

One of the leading causes of bus accidents is driver fatigue. Many bus drivers work long shifts or at odd hours, which disrupts their sleep. Tired drivers take longer to react and may fall asleep at the wheel, especially on routes that start early in the morning or end late at night.

Buses are so large that they have significant blind spots that obscure people walking, biking, or driving smaller cars. When drivers don’t check these blind spots before changing lanes or turning, they often cause serious accidents. Buses often make wide turns that can strike pedestrians in crosswalks, making right turns especially dangerous.

Some bus drivers speed or take other risks to stay on schedule due to pressure. The MTA and private bus companies that prioritize on-time performance over safety give their drivers dangerous reasons to drive.

When bus companies fail to perform proper maintenance, mechanical issues can lead to serious accidents. Drivers can lose control if their brakes fail, their tires blow out, or their steering goes wrong. Most mechanical problems can be avoided with regular inspections and maintenance.

How We Preserve Critical Bus Accident Evidence

Video footage from onboard bus cameras is often the most compelling evidence, showing exactly what happened. However, bus companies frequently delete this footage unless legally notified.

Securing Onboard Video

Upon retention, we immediately send preservation letters demanding that all relevant video evidence be secured. For MTA buses, we file Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to obtain the footage and related documents. If bus companies resist, we are prepared to seek court orders compelling them to turn over the evidence.

Comprehensive Investigation

Our investigation extends beyond video. We photograph the accident scene, interview witnesses while their memories are fresh, and work with accident reconstruction experts to determine the crash sequence.

We also review maintenance records and, when possible, inspect the bus to identify mechanical issues or safety violations. Finally, medical experts document the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life.

Understanding MTA Claims and Notice Requirements

Suing the MTA or other government agencies requires following strict procedural rules that don’t apply to claims against private companies. The most critical requirement is filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of your accident.

A Notice of Claim is a formal legal document that describes your accident, injuries, and the basis for holding the government liable. The Notice of Claim must include specific details about when, where, and how your accident occurred. Filing this notice by the deadline is mandatory; missing it will permanently bar your right to sue.

After filing your Notice of Claim, the MTA may schedule what’s called a 50-h hearing. This is an examination under oath, during which your attorneys will question you about your accident and injuries. Having experienced legal representation at this hearing is crucial because your answers can significantly impact your case.

The MTA operates under the principle of common carrier liability, which means it owes passengers the highest degree of care. This elevated standard makes it easier to prove negligence when accidents occur, but only if you follow the proper procedures for government claims.

Types of Injuries We See in Bronx Bus Accidents

Bus accidents often cause more severe injuries than typical car crashes because passengers lack seatbelts and airbags. The sudden impact throws passengers around the vehicle, causing them to strike seats, poles, windows, and other passengers.

Severe Head and Spine Trauma

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

TBIs occur when passengers hit their heads, ranging from concussions to severe brain damage that affects cognitive function, memory, and personality. Even minor head injuries can have long-lasting effects.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The violent forces in bus crashes can compress or fracture vertebrae, resulting in spinal cord injuries and potential partial or complete paralysis. These are catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime medical care.

Fractures and Internal Damage

Broken Bones and Fractures

Broken bones are common as passengers attempt to brace themselves or are thrown from seats. Hip fractures are especially severe, often requiring multiple surgeries and prolonged rehabilitation.

Internal Injuries

The force of impact can cause life-threatening internal injuries such as organ damage, internal bleeding, or ruptured blood vessels. These hidden injuries make it crucial for every victim to seek immediate medical attention.

What Compensation Can You Recover

New York law allows bus accident victims to recover compensation for all losses caused by their injuries. The goal is to restore you to the position you would have been in if the accident had never occurred.

Medical expenses form the foundation of most claims. This includes emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation therapy. Future medical costs are also recoverable when your injuries require ongoing treatment or additional surgeries.

Lost wages compensate you for income missed while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or reduce your earning capacity, you can recover compensation for this diminished ability to earn money throughout your lifetime.

Pain and suffering damages recognize that injuries cause more than just financial losses. Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible harms deserve compensation. These damages often account for the largest share of serious injury settlements.

Property damage covers the cost of replacing personal items destroyed in the accident. This might include clothing, electronics, eyeglasses, or other belongings damaged during the crash.

Strict Deadlines for Bus Accident Claims

Time limits for filing bus accident lawsuits vary depending on who caused your accident. Missing these deadlines will permanently bar you from recovering any compensation, regardless of how strong your case might be.

Claims against the MTA and other government agencies have the strictest deadlines. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of your accident, and you must file your lawsuit within one year and 90 days. These deadlines are much shorter than typical personal injury cases.

Private bus company claims follow the standard three-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in New York. However, waiting until the last minute can hurt your case because evidence disappears and witnesses’ memories fade over time.

Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the victim’s death. These cases involve additional complexities because only certain family members can bring wrongful death lawsuits under New York law.

Don’t risk losing your right to compensation by waiting too long. Call (718) 588-2000 today to ensure we file all necessary paperwork before deadlines expire.

New York’s Comparative Fault Rules

You can still recover compensation even if you partially contributed to your bus accident. New York follows a pure comparative negligence system that reduces your damages by your percentage of fault, but doesn’t eliminate your right to compensation entirely.

For example, if you were jaywalking when struck by a bus but the driver was speeding and failed to brake, you might be found 20% at fault while the bus driver is 80% at fault. You would recover 80% of your total damages under this system.

Bus passengers rarely share fault for accidents because they have no control over how the vehicle is operated. Pedestrians and cyclists may face comparative fault arguments, but even significant fault doesn’t prevent recovery in New York.

Insurance companies often try to shift blame to victims to reduce their payouts. Our experienced attorneys know how to counter these tactics and minimize any fault attributed to you.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Our Firm

Hiring Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers costs you nothing upfront. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or trial verdict.

Our free consultations help you understand your legal options with no financial commitment. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and outline the legal process at no cost.

You’ll never receive a bill for our legal services unless we win your case. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours – we’re motivated to achieve the best possible outcome because our fee depends on your success.

All case expenses, including court filing fees, expert witness costs, and investigation expenses, are advanced by our firm. You won’t pay these costs unless we recover compensation for you.

Bronx Bus Accident FAQs

Do Bus Passengers Receive No-Fault Insurance Benefits in New York?

Bus passengers typically cannot collect no-fault benefits from the bus itself. Instead, you must file for Personal Injury Protection benefits through your own auto insurance policy or a household member’s policy if you don’t own a car.

What Is MVAIC, and How Long Do I Have to Apply?

The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation provides benefits for accident victims who lack access to no-fault insurance coverage. You must submit your MVAIC application within 90 days of your accident to preserve your eligibility.

How Long Do I Have to File a Notice of Claim Against the MTA?

You have exactly 90 days from your accident date to file a Notice of Claim against the MTA or other New York City agencies. This deadline is strictly enforced, and late filings are rarely accepted.

What Happens During a 50-h Hearing?

A 50-h hearing is a sworn examination conducted by government attorneys before you can file a lawsuit against public agencies like the MTA. You must answer questions about your accident and injuries under oath, making legal representation essential.

Contact a Bronx Bus Accident Lawyer Today

Time is your enemy after a bus accident in the Bronx. Critical video evidence disappears within weeks, and strict legal deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation. The sooner you contact our firm, the better we can protect your interests and build a strong case.

Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers is ready to fight for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our multilingual team ensures you can communicate comfortably in English, Spanish, Greek, French-Creole, or Korean. We understand the challenges facing accident victims and their families, and we’re committed to making the legal process as smooth as possible.

Don’t let the MTA or private bus companies escape responsibility for your injuries. Call (718) 588-2000 now for your free consultation and take the first step toward getting the justice and compensation you deserve. Remember, you pay nothing unless we win your case.