Public bus accidents in New York City are not uncommon though most are—thankfully—minor and don’t involve serious injuries. However, because these massive machines are so huge and possess so much momentum, even minor collisions can cause catastrophic damage. A freak bus accident just across the river in New Jersey demonstrated this reality very clearly late last February. An inter-county bus experienced an unspecified issue and was involved in an extremely destructive collision. The bus crashed into a pole and then went on to strike four parked vehicles before coming to a stop. When rescue crews arrived on scene, they found the bus with a pole imbedded through the windshield into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Thankfully, there were no injuries but it was pure luck that nobody was hurt. Investigators are still unsure of how exactly the accident happened. Could the driver have had a medical episode? Could the bus have experienced a mechanical failure? Either of these scenarios could resulted in serious injuries to the passengers and innocent passersby.
Public and private transport must meet a minimum standard when it comes to inspection, repair, and maintenance. In addition, drivers must pass a series of tests to verify their skills and abilities to handle these massive machines. If at any step in the process the bus company, public or private permitted a defective vehicle to be on the road or did not verify the qualifications of a driver, the bus company and or driver could be held liable in the event of serious personal injury and/or death.
While most claims are settled before a trial, it is still necessary to prepare every case like it’s going to trial. That is the only way to guarantee a successful result. Focusing only on a quick settlement, almost always insures a bad result. That’s why it’s so important to speak with an experienced bus accident attorney in New York City so that you get maximum compensation possible.
Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel, PLLC at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation today.