New York Bus Stop Accident Lawyer
Buses are one of New York City’s primary forms of public transportation, and thousands of people ride on them every day throughout the five boroughs to reach their destinations. Unfortunately, bus stops and bus shelters aren’t always well maintained. Although the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has a responsibility to ensure these areas are free from hazards, there are countless dangerous conditions that can cause slips, trips, and falls, as well as other accidents that may lead to serious injuries.
If you sustained injuries as a result of an unsafe condition at a bus stop in New York City, you may be entitled to monetary recovery for your damages. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been committed to providing reliable representation to victims of bus stop accidents for more than 30 years — and helping them receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.
Causes of Bus Stop Accidents
The NYC DOT is generally responsible for maintaining bus shelters and the sidewalk at designated bus stops. If the agency had prior written notice of a defect or hazardous condition at a City bus stop and failed to repair it in a timely manner, liability may attach for any injuries that arose as a result.
Bus stop accidents can occur due to:
- Failure to remove snow or ice
- Debris
- Defective sidewalk flags
- Potholes, cracks, or depressions
- Uneven pavement
- Broken benches
- Bus shelter collapses
Critically, whether the NYC DOT can be held accountable for your injuries depends upon precisely where the accident happened. Under New York City’s “Sidewalk Law,” the City is not automatically liable for every trip, slip, or fall on the sidewalk. If you tripped and fell just outside the bus stop area, the owner of the building abutting the sidewalk may be the liable party. It’s essential to conduct a thorough investigation of any bus stop accident to ensure the correct parties will be held accountable for their negligence.
Additionally, trips, slips, and falls can also happen while getting on and off the bus. In these cases, the bus operator may be held liable — along with the MTA or the New York City Transit Authority — if the bus was stopped where there was an obvious hazard.
Litigating a bus stop accident case is complex and requires specific knowledge of the nuances involved with filing a claim against a city agency. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has successfully handled claims against the NYC DOT, NYCTA, MTA, and other city agencies for decades.
Common Bus Stop Accident Injuries
Bus stop accident injuries can be severe and require ongoing medical care. Depending on the type of accident and how it occurred, you may have sustained various injuries, including torn ligaments, broken bones, fractures, twisted ankles, concussion, and lacerations. In extreme cases, a bus stop accident victim might suffer from paralysis, permanent disability, or fatality.
After an accident at a bus stop, it’s critical to get medical attention. Whether you seek treatment at the emergency room, an urgent care clinic, or with your own physician, getting the medical help you need isn’t only beneficial for your health — it’s paramount to prove your personal injury case and recover your damages. If you fail to follow through with your doctor’s recommended course of treatment and cannot provide medical documentation of your injuries, you may not be able to prevail in your claim, regardless of how badly you might be hurt.
The personal injury lawyers at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. understand the impact that a bus stop accident can have on you, your family, and your ability to earn a living. We provide unwavering advocacy to help ensure you receive the best possible outcome in your case.
Strategic Counsel to Help Ensure You Obtain Maximum Compensation
If you’ve suffered injuries in a bus stop accident, you may have missed time from work and incurred a significant amount of medical expenses. By pursuing a personal injury action against the NYC DOT, the NYCTA, the MTA, or any other party who might be responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.
Specifically, you may be able to recover your economic damages, including your unreimbursed and future medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs connected with the accident. You may also be able to receive compensation for your non-economic damages, including the pain and suffering you experienced due to your injuries.
Offering high-quality legal services and aggressive advocacy, the personal injury lawyers at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. will walk with you every step of the way as we work tirelessly to maximize your financial recovery.
Contact an Experienced New York Bus Stop Accident Lawyer
Bus stop accidents are always unexpected and when these incidents happen, it’s crucial to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side who can work to hold the NYC DOT or any other responsible party accountable for their negligence. For more than three decades, The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been securing substantial verdicts and impressive settlements for those who have been injured in bus stop accidents throughout New York City’s five boroughs.
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island in Nassau County and Suffolk County. Contact us at (212) 970-6500 for a consultation.