5 signs to know if your driver was negligent

Every year thousands of New Yorkers are injured while riding city buses. Oftentimes, the injuries sustained can be quite serious and in some cases, may even be fatal. Tragically, many of these accidents are the result of negligent or reckless bus drivers who have a duty to drive in a reasonable and careful manner.

The fact is, when you are a bus driver behind the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle, you can’t afford to make a mistake or it may result in serious injuries to the driver, their passengers, people walking by and possibly other motorists. This is the main reason why bus drivers are expected to drive cautiously and defensively.

Proving that a driver was negligent and caused your injuries, however, is not always easy, which is why you should be alert for a few telltale signs that may indicate your bus driver was negligent.

– Driving too fast for conditions, especially during snowstorms or wet weather.

– Driving over the speed limit.

– Performing sudden lane changes, making sharp turns, or accelerating and/or braking abruptly.

– Driving while impaired, which could include alcohol, drugs, or driving while drowsy.

– Continuing to drive after signs of equipment or system malfunction.

If you noticed any of these five signs prior to the bus accident, you may be correct to believe that the driver was negligent. Proving that was the case can be another matter, which is why if you’ve been injured while riding the bus, you should be sure to follow a few crucial steps in the aftermath.

First, always take down the name of the bus driver and the bus number. You should call the police yourself, because a bus driver likely will not, and demand that they report to the scene of the accident. The police report can provide valuable and impartial third-party evidence regarding what happened and who may be at-fault. Finally, before leaving the scene of the accident, you should ensure that you get the name and contact information of any potential witnesses, whether they were bystanders or fellow passengers on the bus.

Your next step is to seek a medical evaluation to treat any injuries you may have suffered and to identify any injuries which may appear over the long-term, which is often the case with auto accidents.

Even with eyewitnesses, it can be tough to hold a negligent bus driver accountable and ultimately prove that they were responsible, which is why you need the assistance of an experienced attorney. A resourceful bus accident attorney has the resources to look for traffic camera evidence, gather testimony from engineers and reconstructionists, and to gather any logs or relevant documents regarding the bus driver or the maintenance of the bus, which can help corroborate the client’s case.

Both testimony and evidence are important in establishing the chain of events and how the driver breached their duty of care which ultimately caused your injuries and ensuing monetary losses, ranging from medical bills to lost wages and beyond.

Time is of the essence, not only when it comes to building a strong case but also because filing deadlines are shorter than typical personal injury lawsuits since these cases involve state entities. In the event of an injury on a New York City bus, you must file claim within 90 days or it will be dismissed outright.

Having an experienced and knowledgeable team on your side, like those at Greenberg & Stein, is a critical step immediately following your bus injury. Our team at Greenberg & Stein has more than 75 years of combined experience handling all manner of personal injury accidents and lawsuits, including cases involving injuries on New York City buses and public transportation.

Every case is unique, and you can be assured that our team will explore every legal option available to you and ensure that you receive a fair and just compensation if you’ve been hurt while riding a New York City bus.

We offer a free consultation and a 24-hour phone line, so don’t hesitate to call us following a bus accident in New York City. Call us today at 888-411-3966 to schedule your free legal consultation.