NYC Bus Accident Lawyers
MTA buses, private coaches, tour buses. When negligent operation causes injuries, strict deadlines apply. We navigate the complexity and fight for what you deserve.
Bus Accidents in NYC: By the Numbers
When Public Transit Fails Its Passengers
New York City operates the largest bus fleet in the United States, over 5,700 buses carrying more than 2 million riders daily. With that scale comes risk.
Bus accidents cause serious injuries. Passengers lack seatbelts and can be thrown through the vehicle during collisions or sudden stops. Pedestrians struck by 40,000-pound buses suffer catastrophic trauma. When the city or a private operator fails to provide safe transportation, injured passengers deserve compensation.
At AEE Law, we've handled bus accident claims against the MTA and private operators for over 35 years. We understand the special rules, strict deadlines, and procedural requirements these cases demand. We navigate the complexity so you can focus on recovery.
Critical: 90-Day Notice of Claim
If you were injured on an MTA bus or hit by one, you have just 90 days to file a Notice of Claim with the NYC Comptroller. Miss this deadline and you lose your right to sue entirely. Contact an attorney immediately after any city bus accident.
MTA Bus Accidents: The Process
Suing the City of New York requires following strict procedural rules:
| Deadline | Requirement | What Happens If Missed |
|---|---|---|
| 90 days | File Notice of Claim | Case dismissed, no exceptions |
| 30-90 days after Notice | City may request 50-H hearing | Must attend or case may be dismissed |
| 1 year + 90 days | File lawsuit | Statute of limitations expires |
The Notice of Claim must include specific information: date, time, and location of the accident; how it occurred; your injuries; and a claim amount. Errors or omissions can invalidate the entire notice.
Private Bus Accidents
Not all buses are city-operated. Private bus operators in NYC include charter and tour companies like Gray Line and Big Bus, intercity carriers (Greyhound, Peter Pan, BoltBus, Megabus), private commuter routes into the suburbs, airport and hotel shuttles, and privately contracted school buses.
Private bus accidents don't require a Notice of Claim. You have the standard 3-year statute of limitations. However, federal regulations may apply (FMCSA for interstate carriers), and multiple parties may share liability.
Types of Bus Accident Cases
We handle the full range of bus-related injury claims: passenger injuries from falls or sudden stops inside the vehicle, pedestrian strikes on crossings and sidewalks, cyclist collisions including right-hook turns and blind-spot strikes, other-vehicle collisions when a bus hits a passenger car, boarding and exiting injuries (falls on the steps, doors closing on a passenger), and accidents at bus stops where pedestrians waiting to board are struck.
Common Carrier Duty of Care
Bus operators are "common carriers" under New York law. This means they owe passengers a heightened duty of care, not just ordinary negligence, but the highest degree of care consistent with the practical operation of the vehicle. They must protect passengers from foreseeable risks. This higher standard strengthens your claim.
Evidence in Bus Accident Cases
Modern buses carry layered evidence. Most MTA buses run 8 or more interior and exterior cameras recording continuously, with GPS data tracking speed, location, and route adherence second by second. Driver hours and break logs, maintenance records (brake inspections, mechanical history), driver disciplinary records, and black-box data showing speed at impact and braking patterns all exist somewhere in the MTA's records system.
This evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage is typically overwritten in 30 days. Logs get purged on routine retention schedules. We send spoliation preservation letters to the MTA Law Department at 130 Livingston Street within days of being retained so nothing critical is lost before we can subpoena it.
Common Injuries
Bus accidents produce serious injuries because of the vehicle's size and the absence of passenger restraints. We commonly handle claims involving traumatic brain injury from head strikes against poles, seats, and windows; spinal injuries from falls or collision impact; fractures, especially hips, wrists, and ribs; soft tissue injuries like whiplash and severe sprains from sudden deceleration; and internal injuries from blunt trauma that often aren't visible on initial exam.
What Compensation Is Available?
People injured in bus accidents can recover medical expenses covering emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and future treatment; lost wages for time missed during recovery; reduced earning capacity when injuries affect long-term employment prospects; pain and suffering damages for physical pain and emotional distress; and compensation for loss of enjoyment of life when the injury takes away activities a client can no longer do.
What We Do for You
For MTA cases, we immediately file the Notice of Claim to protect your rights. We obtain all available evidence, video footage, driver records, maintenance logs, GPS data, before it disappears. We prepare you for the 50-H hearing where the city's attorneys will question you under oath.
For all bus cases, we investigate the accident, document your injuries, identify all liable parties, and calculate the full value of your claim. We handle all communication with the city, the insurance companies, and defense attorneys.
And we prepare every case for trial. The city settles thousands of cases, but only when they believe the alternative is worse.
Related Practice Areas
- Car Accidents: General motor vehicle claims
- Pedestrian Accidents: When buses strike pedestrians
- Bicycle Accidents: Cyclist collisions with buses
- Truck Accidents: Commercial vehicle collisions
- Wrongful Death: When crashes are fatal
Related Data and Resources
- MTA Notice of Claim Filing Guide: Step-by-Step Process
- NYC Injury Claims Exposed: What the Comptroller's Data Reveals
- Pedestrian Deaths in NYC: Where the Data Points
- MTA Bus Accidents: 1,872 Collisions in a Single Year
NYC Comptroller's Office. Notice of Claim filing requirements.
https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/filing-a-claim/New York General Municipal Law § 50-e. Notice of Claim requirements.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GMU/50-EMTA. (2024). Bus fleet and ridership statistics.
https://new.mta.info/agency/new-york-city-transit/subway-bus-ridership-2024Frequently Asked Questions
I was injured on an MTA bus. How do I sue the city?
You must file a Notice of Claim with the NYC Comptroller within 90 days of your injury. This isn't optional. Miss this deadline and you lose your right to sue entirely. The Notice of Claim describes your injury, how it happened, and your intent to seek compensation. After filing, you have 1 year and 90 days to file the actual lawsuit. We handle the entire process.
What is a Notice of Claim and why is the deadline so short?
A Notice of Claim is a formal document required before suing any New York government entity. The 90-day deadline exists to give the city time to investigate while evidence is fresh. It must include specific details about the accident, your injuries, and your intent to seek damages. Missing even one required element can doom your case. This is why you need an attorney immediately after a city bus accident.
What if the bus driver was at fault?
MTA bus drivers are city employees. When they cause accidents through negligence (running red lights, making unsafe lane changes, braking suddenly), the city is liable under respondeat superior (employer liability). We prove driver negligence through bus camera footage, GPS data, and the driver's history. The same Notice of Claim rules apply.
I was hit by a private bus (not MTA). Is the process different?
Yes. Private bus companies (tour buses, charter buses, private shuttles, intercity buses like Greyhound) don't require a Notice of Claim. You have the standard 3-year statute of limitations. However, these cases are still complex. Federal regulations may apply, and you may have claims against multiple parties (driver, bus company, vehicle owner). We identify all liable parties.
What compensation can I recover from a bus accident?
You may recover medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Bus accidents often cause serious injuries because of the vehicle's size and the lack of seatbelts for passengers. We fight for full compensation reflecting the severity of your injuries.
I fell inside the bus when it braked suddenly. Is that a valid claim?
Yes. Bus drivers must operate safely to protect standing and seated passengers. Sudden braking, hard acceleration, and sharp turns that throw passengers off their feet constitute negligence. The bus company has a duty to provide safe transportation. Interior camera footage usually captures what happened. We obtain it before it's overwritten.
How long does a bus accident lawsuit against NYC take?
Cases against NYC typically take 2-4 years from filing to resolution. The city's Law Department handles thousands of cases and moves slowly. During this time, we build the strongest possible case, obtaining all video footage, driver records, maintenance logs, and expert opinions. Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it's going to a jury.
The MTA says I assumed the risk by riding the bus. Is that true?
No. Riding public transit is a normal daily activity, not an assumption of risk for driver negligence, poor maintenance, or unsafe conditions. The MTA has a heightened duty of care as a common carrier. They must provide safe transportation. We reject this defense and hold them accountable.