Exorbitant fuel prices, the expense of owning a car, and avoiding traffic are only a few reasons why New Yorkers rely on public transportation. Unfortunately, city buses are not impervious to accidents. After a crash, injured passengers may face expensive medical bills or not be able to return to work.
If you suffer an injury while using public transportation, contact Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein, LLP. An injury attorney in New York City can evaluate your crash to determine if you may have a valid claim.
Recovering compensation after a city bus accident can be a complex process. An accident attorney from our firm can handle the legal side of your claim so you can focus on recovery. Call 917-730-7151 to schedule a free initial consultation. Until then, read on for a brief overview of public transit injury claims:
Public Transit Standard of Care
The laws that govern public transit accidents are not the same as those related to crashes involving privately owned and commercial vehicles. The standard of care is one major difference.
In most car wrecks, the courts compare the negligent driver’s actions to those of a “reasonable person” to determine if other drivers would have reacted in the same manner in the same situation. The law holds public transit drivers to a much higher standard of care. City bus drivers must have specialized training, so the court compares their actions to those of “reasonable” drivers in the same industry.
Determining Liability
Identifying liability is much more complicated in public transit claims. The company, driver, mechanic, manufacturer or another party may be liable for a crash.
If the driver was negligent, then he or she is liable, but the company is responsible if it hires a driver with a bad driving record. Your accident attorney will need to investigate the cause of the wreck to prove liability.
If it is a maintenance problem, then the company responsible for that role may be liable. Third parties are not immune to liability, even if there are extensive clauses to protect against lawsuits. Even the designer may be liable if a design flaw caused your injury.
Public Transport Is a Regulated Industry
The public transport industry is highly regulated, as the New York City Department of Transportation explains. Drivers and operators must comply with state and federal requirements, including jurisdiction, standards of care and contractual clauses.
Every system of public transport has its own laws, and every company utilizes its own legal protections. This is why it is so important to hire a qualified injury attorney to represent your interests.
If you were injured while riding a bus in New York City, contact Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein, LLP. An accident attorney in New York can help you navigate the claims process. Our lawyers have more than 75 years of combined experience litigating personal-injury cases. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients. Call 917-730-7151 to schedule a consultation.