A bus accident in New York that claimed the life of three people (including the driver) led a group of New York State Senators to investigate privately owned bus companies. What they found is absolutely shocking: Almost half of New York’s charter bus companies have poor driving records. In fact, dozens of these companies have records so bad that they’ve been put on federal watch lists.
At least one company scrutinized in the study had a total of 18 violations . . . with only one bus and one driver!
The investigation was spurred by the terrifying bus accident in Queens late last month involving a privately owned charter bus and an MTA bus. It was discovered after the crash that the driver of the charter bus had previously been fired from his position as an MTA driver following a drunk driving arrest. Why he was allowed back behind the wheel of a bus after such a grievous public safety violation is a question that only the company (Dahlia Group Inc.) can answer.
And everyone is at risk. Last July, a legally blind pedestrian was killed in Harlem. That same month, 6 people were injured when a bus crashed in The Holland Tunnel. A month prior, a bus accident in New York City claimed the life of an 80-year-old bicyclist.
Some officials believe that the USDOT is not diligent enough in revoking the permits of these dangerous bus companies. This failure is putting far too many people in harm’s way. One senator suggested that these dangerous companies have a willingness to “look the other way” when hiring unsafe drivers because it is so much cheaper than paying drivers with good records.
If you’ve been injured by an unsafe or reckless charter bus driver, the law is on your side. Get the compensation you deserve. Contact the experienced New York City bus accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel without any further delay. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 right now.