Bus Accidents & Injuries

Bus accidents are not common, but when they do occur, the personal injuries and risk of fatalities are high. The bus accident injury attorneys at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman, P.C. represent individuals who have been injured and the families of those who have been killed in bus accidents.

We understand that bus accidents & injuries are devastating events and strive to offer aggressive yet compassionate representation for the injured and their families.

Millions of People Ride Buses Each Day

Millions of people use some form of public or private bus transportation each year, including county and city buses, school buses, motor coaches and buses designed for the handicapped and elderly.

Injuries and Fatalities from Bus Accidents

The data regarding bus accidents are not adequate or current, but according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 140 motor coach bus accidents occurred between 1993 and 1997, resulting in 21 deaths and 442 individual injuries.

School Buses - No Seatbelts

School buses travel literally billions of miles each year to take some 20 million children in the U.S. to and from school and other activities. School buses do not have seat belts. In fact, the design of the “big yellow school bus” that we’re all familiar with has not changed or been updated since 1977.

Because school buses do not come equipped with seatbelts for the young riders onboard, when bus accidents do occur, they typically result in traumatic injuries and death.

Leading Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents may be due to a variety of factors, including:

• Traffic patterns and problems; for instance, if the bus approaches another auto accident and the driver is forced to come to an abrupt stop.
• Bus driver negligence or recklessness, which can be caused by fatigue, stress, or driving while under the influence of alcohol or another controlled substance.
• Poor road conditions including potholes, narrow or faulty bridges, poorly marked construction zones and icy roads.
• Dangerous weather conditions including rain, snow, fog and extreme winds.
• Defective products such as faulty breaks or defective tires.


Tragic Consequences of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can be very serious, with the risk of rollover and the accompanying risk of a fire starting in a damaged fuel tank or fuel line. Since few buses have seat belts, the passengers of school buses, motor coaches, etc. are vulnerable to being thrown out of their seats, especially in rollover crashes.

Injuries from bus accidents can range from minor scrapes and bruises to traumatic brain injuries and death. Serious bus accident injuries can have life changing affects on both the injured and their families. In these cases, hospital bills, long-term treatment programs and physical disfigurement can be devastating and overwhelming.


Recovering Compensation For Your Losses

However, individuals who have suffered injuries or families of those who have been seriously injured or killed in a bus accident may be eligible to recover compensation for physical, emotional and financial losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Financial compensation may cover damages including:

• Medical expenses, including hospital and doctor bills, long-term treatment programs including specialized medical devices, equipments and medication.
• Lost wages in cases where the patient is temporarily or permanently out of work.
• Emotional pain and suffering for both the injured and family members of those killed in tragic bus accidents.

Whatever the circumstances of your bus accident (or that of your loved one), you have legal rights that can be protected with the help of an experienced attorney. Contact the New York City bus accident attorney specialists of Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman to speak with a personal injury lawyer today.