A Saturday morning in New York City turned tragic when a serious bus crash harmed at least 14 people, one critically. The incident occurred near Lincoln Tunnel at around 9:30 a.m. on August 29, 2020. An N.J. Transit 156 line bus was en route to Port Authority from Fort Lee when it crashed into a barrier on a ramp at 39th Street and Ninth Avenue, according to the Fire Department.
Three people were treated at the scene while another eleven were transported to nearby hospitals. According to The New York Times, one person in the bus was found to be in “severely critical” condition. Nine passengers and the bus driver were in the bus at the time. Multiple people were found on the ground outside the bus at the scene. It is unclear whether another vehicle was involved in the collision.
We wish the victims a full and speedy recovery after this nightmare experience. People riding a bus into the city don’t expect to meet with tragedy on the way there, and what’s more – transit authorities running the buses are responsible for ensuring that passengers reach their destination safely. Because of the size of buses and the number of people riding them, a bus collision can result in multiple injured, as evidenced by the incident. While more information is needed to better understand the specifics of the incident, multiple parties may be held responsible for a bus crash.
Legally, bus accident lawsuits are complex, as there are specific laws and regulations governing bus operations. Parties that may be held liable for the victim’s injuries include city and state government entities that oversee public transit buses, the bus driver, drivers of other vehicles, the bus manufacturer, and the bus management company.
The law firm of Block O’Toole & Murphy is known for landmark verdicts and settlements in serious accident cases, including $110 million jury verdict against the MTA and $32 million verdict for a victim harmed in a car accident. Our attorneys have a strong record in recovering full and fair compensation for victims of bus accidents, including lawsuits involving public commuter buses. Select results include:
- $6,000,000 recovery for a passenger in a city commuter bus that crashed with another vehicle at an intersection
- $3,500,000 settlement for a bus driver who suffered serious neck, back, and shoulder injuries after the bus he was driving was rear-ended by a sanitation truck
- $3,450,000 settlement for a man who was struck and dragged by a bus while he was crossing the street. As a result of the collision, he suffered multiple fractures.
- $3,000,000 settlement for a 48-year-old man who sustained multiple injuries after he was hit by an MTA bus
- $2,925,000 award for a 39-year-old factory worker who was hit by a bus that ran a stop sign
Our attorneys provide free legal consultations to victims harmed in accidents in New York and New Jersey. To speak with a qualified lawyer, please call 212-736-5300 or fill out our Contact Form, and one of our attorneys will reach out to you shortly. To learn more about our results, please visit the Auto Accidents Verdicts and Settlements page.