Bus accidents can cause serious injuries to the passengers aboard the bus as well as to all others on the road. When a bus accident happens, victims injured by the crash can pursue a claim for damages.
Bus accident cases can be especially complicated because there could be multiple defendants, and because the government could potentially be liable for losses. A Valley Stream bus accident attorney at Abaev Law Firm can help those who have been harmed to understand their rights and navigate the justice system.
Contact Abaev Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn how our Valley Stream personal injury attorneys can help.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident in Valley Stream?
When a bus accident happens, it is important to determine who is to blame for the crash.
While New York has no-fault laws and your own insurer may cover damages in minor crashes, many potential defendants could also be liable for your losses when a bus crash causes serious injuries or fatalities.
Some of the potential defendants who could be made to compensate you include:
- The bus driver who was negligent or violated a safety rule
- MTA or other municipal transportation agencies, when you’re involved in a crash with a city bus
- Private operators, such as charter or tour bus operators
- Maintenance companies, when maintenance failure is the cause of the crash
- Bus manufacturers, if a defect in the bus or its parts caused the collision to occur
Bus companies and those responsible for operating municipal buses can be held liable for their own negligent policies, such as failing to follow proper hiring practices. They can also be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of drivers on the job as those drivers act as the company’s agent while operating the bus.
Your Valley Stream accident attorney can help you to identify defendants and can assist in determining what legal arguments to make to hold them accountable.
What Can a Valley Stream Bus Accident Attorney Do for You?
A Valley Stream bus accident lawyer can provide legal advocacy and knowledgeable representation as you pursue justice in the aftermath of your collision. Some of the things that your attorney can do to help include:
- Working with you to understand the special rules applicable in your case. For example, if you are taking legal action after an accident with an MTA or city bus, you are pursuing a claim against the government, so sovereign immunity rules apply. You must take specific steps, such as filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident and filing suit within a year and 90 days to avoid your claim being time-barred.
- Gathering evidence. You’ll need to prove your claim. Your attorney can help by working with you to gather witness testimony, bus maintenance records, driver-on-duty records, expert testimony, photos from the crash scene, police reports, and more.
- Fighting for you in or out of court. At Abaev Law Firm, our attorneys are skilled negotiators and experienced trial lawyers who can help you to maximize the chances of a favorable settlement or court verdict.
Contact Abaev Law Firm Today for Help After a Bus Accident
When you need a bus accident lawyer offering compassionate and committed representation, Abaev Law Firm is the place to turn. We’ll bring our decades of legal experience to your case, and we won’t stop fighting until we’ve helped you get justice.
Give us a call today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a Valley Stream bus accident lawyer to learn more.