Bus Accident Attorney in Queens

New York statutes hold a vehicle owner and operator financially responsible for death or injury resulting from negligence. However, other parties may also be liable for your injuries and/or property damage. These parties can include,

• Drivers: A bus driver's actions behind the wheel, negligent maintenance of the vehicle, conducting improper or incomplete inspections, and driving time violations cause accidents. Under the principles of agency law, since the driver and the maintenance crews are agents of the bus company, the company can also be liable for the driver's conduct.
• Employers: A common carrier/employer, school system, or independent transportation company is liable for its driver’s actions and damage caused by vehicles they own and control. If an employer knew about a driver’s past adverse driving record or safety issues, that employer could be responsible for oversight during the hiring process and negligent entrustment. As noted above, it may also be liable for the driver’s actions as the principal to the driver’s agent.
• Bus owners: When a school or transport company leases a bus, the owner shares liability for maintenance issues or defects. If the accident resulted from poor maintenance or unrepaired defects in the equipment, the owner of the bus will be liable for those failures.
• Maintenance contractors: A maintenance company is responsible for improper or inadequate fleet care and maintenance. If the company breaches its duty to maintain the equipment and that failure injures people, the maintenance contractor will bear financial liability for that breach.
• Bus manufacturers: A manufacturer is legally liable for accidents caused by bus defects. Again, if there were defects that the manufacturer should have corrected or disclosed and it did not do so, it will bear financial liability for injuries resulting from those defects.
• Contractual liability: Owners, lessors, and other parties sometimes transfer their liability via hold harmless and indemnification arrangements or a duty-to-defend agreement. Sometimes these agreements are effective, and sometimes they are not. A skilled Bronx bus accident attorney experienced in working with such contracts can help you determine which is the case in your accident.

Working with a specialist from Morgan & Morgan can help ensure the right parties are held liable for your damages. We can gather evidence to help support your injury claim that can include bus maintenance logs, driver reports, and eyewitness statements. We have over 35 years of experience and can work to help ensure you receive full and fair compensation.

Morgan & Morgan is the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, and we have a proven track record of success. We have recovered over $20 billion in damages for our clients and can work to help ensure you receive fair compensation. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free consultation with one of our specialists.