New York City streets don’t forgive mistakes. Every day, pedestrians navigate around thousands of buses, from MTA transit to private tour coaches. When a bus strikes someone on foot, the outcome is rarely minor. Think about the physics. A massive vehicle, even moving slowly, carries devastating force. The injuries don’t compare to typical car accidents. We’re talking about a different level of harm entirely.
Understanding Bus Vs. Pedestrian Collisions
These accidents happen more than you’d think. Crosswalks, bus stops, mid-block crossings. Anywhere a bus travels becomes a potential collision point. What makes these cases particularly difficult? You’re often dealing with government entities and multiple layers of bureaucracy.
Here’s where things get complicated:
- Pedestrians are struck while crossing at intersections
- Accidents at crowded bus stops where drivers can’t see clearly
- Wide turns that catch people off guard
- Passengers getting on or off when someone gets hit
- Distracted or exhausted drivers are making critical errors
The injuries tell the story. Broken bones are common, but so are traumatic brain injuries. Spinal damage. Internal bleeding. Some people never fully recover. Their lives changed in an instant because a bus driver didn’t look or couldn’t stop in time.
Who Is Responsible
This isn’t a simple question. The answer depends entirely on who owns and operates that bus. MTA buses? You’re dealing with a government entity. That changes everything. New York law doesn’t give you the usual time to file a lawsuit. Instead, you’ve got 90 days to file a notice of claim with the MTA. Miss that deadline, and your case is likely dead before it starts. Private bus companies operate under different rules. Standard personal injury procedures apply. But don’t assume that makes things easier. These companies often have significant insurance coverage and armies of lawyers ready to fight. They’ll argue the driver was an independent contractor. They’ll claim you weren’t paying attention. They’ll do whatever it takes to avoid paying what you deserve.
Causes Of Accidents
Bus drivers face real challenges. Tight streets, constant traffic, and schedules they can’t always meet. None of that excuses negligence, though.
We see the same problems repeatedly:
- Drivers checking their phones or looking away at the wrong moment
- Failing to check blind spots before turning
- Pushing through yellow lights that turn red
- Speeding to stay on schedule
- Buses with faulty brakes or mirrors that haven’t been properly maintained
- Inadequate training for new drivers navigating city streets
Sometimes it’s not just the driver. Poor road design plays a role. Faded crosswalk markings. Traffic signals that don’t give pedestrians enough time. Inadequate street lighting in busy areas. Weather conditions make bad situations worse.
What You Should Do After Getting Hit
You’re hurt. You’re scared. Everything happened so fast. But what you do in those first minutes and hours matters tremendously. Document everything if you possibly can. Photos of the scene. The bus itself. Your visible injuries. Get names and numbers from anyone who saw what happened. Write down the bus number and route. When the police arrive, make sure they file a report and get a copy.
Go to the hospital. Now. Not tomorrow. Even if you think you’re okay. Some injuries don’t announce themselves immediately. Head trauma can be silent at first. Internal bleeding doesn’t always hurt right away. Plus, you need that medical record. It connects your injuries directly to the accident. Call a Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer as soon as you’re able. Those government deadlines won’t wait for you to feel better. Insurance adjusters won’t give you time to figure things out. You need someone handling the legal side while you focus on healing.
Building Your Case
Proving negligence takes work. Real investigative work. Bus companies maintain detailed records. Driver logs showing hours worked. Maintenance schedules reveal whether that bus should’ve been on the road. Internal incident reports, they don’t want anyone to see. Security cameras matter. The bus probably has one. Nearby businesses might too. That footage won’t last forever, though. It gets recorded over. Deleted. Lost. You need to act fast.
Black box data from the bus tells an important story. How fast was the driver going? When did they hit the brakes? Did they hit the brakes at all? This information exists, but you can’t get it without legal leverage. A Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer knows how to preserve this evidence before it vanishes. Insurance companies will immediately start building their defense. They’ll look for any reason to deny or minimize your claim. You need someone fighting back.
Your Rights After Getting Injured
New York uses comparative negligence. What does that mean for you? Even if you made a mistake, you can still recover compensation. Your award gets reduced by your percentage of fault. Let’s say you crossed against the signal, but the bus driver was speeding and distracted. Both of you contributed to what happened. A jury might find you 20% at fault and the driver 80% responsible. You’d still collect 80% of your total damages. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.
What can you recover? Medical bills, obviously. Lost wages from missing work. Future medical care, if you need ongoing treatment. Pain and suffering. Loss of enjoyment in life. If your injuries are severe, we’re talking about substantial compensation. These cases often involve permanent disabilities and long-term needs. Your settlement should reflect reality, not just cover immediate expenses.
Moving Forward
Getting hit by a bus changes everything. The physical recovery is hard enough, the legal process adds another layer of stress you don’t need, government deadlines, insurance companies playing games, and medical bills are piling up while you can’t work. You don’t have to handle this alone. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP has spent decades holding negligent parties accountable in cases just like yours. If you or someone you love was struck by a bus, reach out. Let’s talk about what happened and what comes next. You’ve got rights here, and we can help you fight for them.