Bus Accident Lawyer Rockville Centre, NY
If you were hurt in a bus accident in Rockville Centre, your case is more complicated than a typical car crash. Buses are operated by government transit authorities, private companies, school districts, and tour operators. Each type of defendant brings different rules, different insurance structures, and different legal deadlines.
At Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP, we handle bus accident claims throughout Nassau County and Long Island. Our Rockville Centre, NY bus accident lawyer understands the procedural difficulties these cases involve. We have handled these variations for decades, and we work on contingency, so you pay no attorney fees unless we win.
Why Choose Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP for Your Bus Accident Case in Rockville Centre, NY?
Understands Claims Against Government Entities
Many bus accidents involve public transit. In Nassau County, that often means NICE Bus, operated by Nassau Inter-County Express. Claims against government entities follow different rules than claims against private parties, and understanding municipal liability is essential.
You can’t just file a lawsuit against a municipal transit authority. You must first serve a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident under General Municipal Law Section 50-e. The notice must contain specific information about what happened, where it happened, and what injuries you suffered. Defective notices get rejected. Late notices rarely get excused.
Martin Schiowitz has filed claims against government entities for over 50 years. He co-founded this firm in 1978 and has handled municipal liability cases involving transit authorities, cities, counties, and state agencies. Martin is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. His peers have recognized him as a Super Lawyer, a distinction given to the top 5% of attorneys.
Jeremy Schiowitz argued an appellate case that changed how the NYC Transit Authority handles liability for platform accidents. That kind of litigation requires understanding how government defendants operate. Jeremy has practiced for over 16 years, earned his degree from Brooklyn Law School, and holds licenses in New York and New Jersey. He’s been a Super Lawyer every year since 2014.
When you need a personal injury attorney in Rockville Centre for a transit claim, experience with government defendants matters.
A Track Record of Recoveries
Bus accidents cause serious injuries. The size and weight of buses means collisions generate substantial force. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims, including those hurt in motor vehicle accidents involving commercial and public vehicles.
We approach each case by calculating what full compensation actually looks like. Medical bills. Future treatment. Lost income. Pain and suffering. Then we pursue that amount, not whatever the insurance company’s first offer happens to be.
Handles the Investigation
Bus accidents require thorough investigation. We obtain the bus’s maintenance records. We review the driver’s employment file and training history. We analyze the route, schedule, and whether time pressure contributed to unsafe driving. We interview witnesses and obtain surveillance footage before it gets overwritten.
This work happens in the early weeks after an accident. Evidence disappears fast. Starting the investigation promptly strengthens your case.
Contingency Representation
We don’t require upfront costs and we don’t bill hourly fees. Our payment comes from a percentage of your recovery. If we don’t win your case, you owe nothing for attorney fees.
What Our Clients Say
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“I was recommended to this law firm by a good friend of mine and that’s the best decision I have made. The level of professionalism, trustworthiness and courtesy is impressive. Jeremy works above and beyond to get my case settled. He always takes time to keep me informed. I highly recommend this law firm to anyone for their knowledge and professionalism.” — Malickgsow Sow
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle in Rockville Centre
Bus accidents take many forms. The type of bus and the circumstances of the crash affect how we pursue your claim. Understanding what happens after a bus accident helps you prepare for the process.
- Public transit accidents. NICE Bus serves Nassau County, including Rockville Centre. Accidents involving public transit require claims against the transit authority, which means Notice of Claim requirements and shortened deadlines. We handle these procedural requirements routinely.
- School bus accidents. Children injured on school buses or while boarding and exiting have claims against school districts and bus contractors. These cases involve special protections for minors, including extended statutes of limitations and court approval of settlements.
- Private charter bus accidents. Tour buses, casino buses, church group transportation. Private bus companies carry commercial insurance policies, and liability follows standard negligence rules rather than government immunity doctrines.
- Coach bus accidents. Inter-city buses like Greyhound and regional carriers. These accidents often occur on highways and cause serious injuries due to speed. Federal motor carrier regulations may apply.
- Airport shuttle accidents. Shuttles transporting passengers to and from JFK, LaGuardia, and other airports. Hotel shuttles, parking lot shuttles, and private transportation services each have different liability structures.
- Passenger injuries inside buses. Not all bus injuries involve collisions. Sudden stops throw passengers forward. Drivers pulling away before passengers are seated cause falls. Wheelchair lift malfunctions injure disabled passengers.
- Pedestrians struck by buses. Buses have large blind spots. Pedestrians at bus stops, in crosswalks, and on sidewalks are struck by buses making turns or pulling to the curb.
- Accidents with other vehicles. Sometimes the bus passenger is injured when another vehicle strikes the bus. In those cases, the claim is against the other driver, not the bus operator.
The question of who is liable depends on the specific circumstances of your accident.
New York Bus Accident Laws
Several legal principles affect bus accident claims. The rules depend on who operates the bus.
Common Carrier Liability
Buses are common carriers under New York law, which means they owe passengers a heightened duty of care. Common carriers must exercise the highest degree of care consistent with the practical operation of the vehicle. This is a higher standard than ordinary negligence.
Bus drivers must operate safely, maintain awareness of road conditions, ensure passengers are seated before accelerating, and follow all traffic laws. When they fail to meet this heightened standard, the bus operator is liable for resulting injuries.
Government Immunity and Notice of Claim
When a government entity operates the bus, sovereign immunity doctrines apply. You can’t sue the government as easily as you can sue a private company.
New York waives immunity for negligence claims but imposes procedural requirements. Under General Municipal Law Section 50-e, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. The notice goes to the specific government entity responsible. Filing with the wrong entity doesn’t satisfy the requirement.
After filing the Notice of Claim, you wait 30 days before suing. The lawsuit itself must be filed within one year and 90 days of the accident in most cases. These deadlines are strictly enforced.
Comparative Negligence
New York applies comparative fault under CPLR Section 1411. If you were partially responsible for your injuries, your recovery is reduced proportionally. Defendants in bus cases sometimes argue passengers contributed to their injuries by not holding handrails or by standing when they should have been seated.
Statute of Limitations
Claims against private bus companies follow the standard CPLR Section 214. Claims against government transit authorities must be filed within one year and 90 days after the Notice of Claim.
What Damages Are Available in Rockville Centre Bus Accident Cases
Bus accidents often cause serious injuries requiring substantial compensation.
Medical Expenses
From emergency room treatment and hospitalization, to surgery, physical therapy, ongoing medical care, and future treatment for permanent injuries, we carefully value your claim. Bus accident victims sometimes suffer injuries requiring years of medical attention. All reasonable and necessary medical expenses are recoverable. Understanding what happens when bills exceed settlements helps with planning.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
These damages account for time missed from work due to injuries and reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent a return to previous employment. A bus accident that ends a career has dramatically different damages than one causing a few weeks of missed work.
Pain and Suffering
You may suffer less quantifiable losses, like physical pain from injuries, emotional distress, anxiety about using public transportation, depression related to limitations, and more. These non-economic damages often represent the largest component of bus accident settlements. Calculating pain and suffering value involves multiple factors, and is not applicable to every personal injury case.
Wrongful Death
When bus accidents prove fatal, surviving family members may have wrongful death claims. We represent families seeking compensation for lost financial support and funeral expenses.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
The size of buses doesn’t protect occupants the way one might expect. Buses lack individual seatbelts in most configurations. Sudden stops and collisions throw passengers into seats, poles, windows, and other passengers.
Head and brain injuries. Striking hard surfaces causes concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. TBIs affect cognitive function, memory, and personality. Understanding brain injury claims helps families navigate these situations.
Spinal injuries. The forces in bus accidents damage vertebrae and spinal cords. Herniated discs cause chronic pain. Spinal cord damage causes paralysis.
Broken bones. Arms, legs, hips, ribs. Passengers brace themselves during impacts, leading to arm and wrist fractures. Falls cause hip fractures, particularly in elderly passengers.
Soft tissue injuries. Torn ligaments, strained muscles, and damaged tendons. Whiplash from sudden deceleration. These injuries sometimes require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Internal injuries. Blunt force trauma to the abdomen and chest damages internal organs. Internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident in Rockville Centre
What you do after a bus accident affects your health and your legal claim.
Report the accident. Tell the bus driver what happened. Make sure the transit authority or bus company documents the incident. Get the bus number, route number, and driver’s name.
Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Medical records from the day of the accident document your injuries.
Get witness information. Other passengers saw what happened. Get names and phone numbers before everyone disperses.
Take photos. The interior of the bus. The location. Your injuries. Any conditions that contributed to the accident.
File a complaint. Formal complaints to transit authorities create records that support your claim.
Don’t give recorded statements. The bus company’s insurer will contact you. Be aware of adjuster tactics designed to minimize claims. Decline to provide statements until you’ve consulted an attorney.
Contact a bus accident lawyer promptly. Government claims require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. That deadline doesn’t leave time for delay. Hiring an attorney early protects your rights.
Bus Accident Statistics
Bus accidents cause thousands of injuries annually.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, buses are involved in approximately 60,000 injury-causing crashes each year in the United States. While buses are statistically safer per mile than passenger vehicles, the number of people on each bus means individual crashes affect multiple victims.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks school bus safety data. School buses transport 26 million children daily. While school bus travel is relatively safe, accidents still occur, and children are particularly vulnerable at loading and unloading zones.
Nassau County’s NICE Bus system operates extensive routes through Rockville Centre and surrounding communities. High passenger volumes mean accidents affect significant numbers of people when they occur.
Rockville Centre Bus Accident Lawyer FAQs
How long do I have to file a claim against a public bus?
You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. The lawsuit must be filed within one year and 90 days. These deadlines are strictly enforced.
What if I was hurt but the bus wasn’t in a collision?
You can still have a claim. Sudden stops, driver negligence in starting before passengers are seated, and falls due to slippery floors all support injury claims.
Can I sue the bus driver personally?
Usually the claim is against the bus company or transit authority, not the driver personally. The employer is liable for the driver’s negligence under respondeat superior.
What if another vehicle caused the accident?
You may have claims against both the other driver and the bus company, depending on circumstances. We investigate to determine all liable parties. Understanding how to prove liability is essential.
How much is a bus accident case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Bus accidents often cause serious injuries with substantial damages. Looking at typical settlement amounts provides context.
Do I need a lawyer for a bus accident?
Bus accidents involve procedural complexities that other accidents don’t. Claims against government entities require strict compliance with notice requirements. Having an attorney protects your rights.
What if I can’t afford medical treatment?
No-fault insurance may cover initial treatment regardless of who was at fault. Understanding PIP coverage helps. We can also help you find medical providers who will treat you on a lien basis, meaning they get paid from your settlement.
Will the bus company’s video show what happened?
Buses have surveillance cameras. We subpoena footage before it gets overwritten. This evidence often proves what happened.
What if I was partially at fault?
You can still recover. New York’s comparative negligence law reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault but doesn’t eliminate it.
My child was hurt on a school bus. What should I do?
Contact an attorney immediately. School bus accidents involve special rules for minor victims. We can advise on the specific procedures that apply.
How long will my case take?
Government claims typically take longer because of required procedural steps. Private bus company claims may resolve faster. Understanding what to expect in a civil case helps you prepare.
What evidence should I preserve?
Medical records, photos, witness contact information, any documents from the bus company. Clothing worn during the accident if it shows damage or blood.
Can I get compensation for anxiety about riding buses?
Emotional distress is compensable. If the accident caused lasting psychological effects, including fear of bus travel, that factors into your damages.
What happens in a free consultation?
We review what happened, explain your legal options, and assess the strength of your claim. There’s no obligation to hire us.
Do you handle cases outside Rockville Centre?
Yes. We represent bus accident victims throughout Nassau County, Long Island, and New York City.
Local Resources for Rockville Centre Bus Accident Victims
Medical Services:
- Mercy Hospital, Rockville Centre, (516) 705-2525
- Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, (516) 572-0123
Transit Authority:
- NICE Bus, Nassau Inter-County Express, customer service and complaints
Law Enforcement:
- Rockville Centre Police Department, (516) 766-1500
Government:
- Village of Rockville Centre, (516) 678-9300
Disclaimer: Listing these resources does not constitute an endorsement by Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP.
Contact Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP
Bus accidents involve legal challenges that other motor vehicle cases don’t have. Government defendants, Notice of Claim requirements, common carrier standards, and multiple potential defendants all require experienced handling.
If you were injured in a bus accident in Rockville Centre, NY, our attorneys can evaluate your claim and guide you through the process. Martin Schiowitz has handled municipal liability cases for over 50 years. Jeremy Schiowitz has litigated complex personal injury matters for over 16 years. We understand how to pursue claims against transit authorities and private bus companies alike.
Consultations are free, and there is no obligation. We explain your options honestly and answer your questions. If you decide to proceed, we handle the case on contingency. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to discuss your case.
