A Manhattan Transit Authority (MTA) bus struck and trapped an elderly pedestrian earlier this year. The 70-year-old woman was crossing the street in Queens when the MTS bus struck her. The Bus pinned her underneath it and dragged her a few feet before coming to a stop on her left foot. First responders eventually freed the woman and transported her to Bellevue Hospital. She suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident but was in stable condition when she arrived.
This incident is one example of the dangers New York City pedestrians face on a daily basis. MTA bus drivers can easily become distracted. When they negligently fail to pay attention to their surroundings, they can cause accidents that result in devastating injuries for pedestrians. If you have suffered an injury caused by a negligent or reckless MTA bus driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Pulvers Thompson to discuss your legal options today.
How do Bus Accidents Occur?
New York City commuters rightly expect that the MTA bus system operates safely. Unfortunately, the MTA bus system is anything but safe. The New York Post reported that between 2015 and 2018, 21,000 collisions involving MTA buses took place in New York City. Over 21 collisions involving MTA buses occurred every day during the period of time the Post investigated.
During that time period, at least 2,520 civilians suffered injuries resulting from the MTA collisions. At least 14 people died from their injuries, including pedestrians, scooterists, and skateboarders. In one of the accidents, the MTA driver struck an elderly pedestrian using a walker and then fled the scene.
New York School Bus Collisions
Between 2015 and 2018, 180 collisions involved MTA buses and New York City school buses. In one accident, an MTA bus rear-ended a school bus. As a result, a 9-year-old student and a 54-year-old woman sought treatment in a hospital for their injuries. The Post discovered recent court testimony that revealed that bus drivers call MTA dispatch when accidents occur, not the police. Thus, there is a reason to believe that even more MTA bus collisions occur than the MTA reports.
Some MTA Bus Drivers are Unsafe
MTA has a duty to use reasonable care in hiring drivers. When a driver has a history of drug or alcohol abuse or of driving-related infractions, the MTA should not hire them. Similarly, MTA may be liable for the negligent actions of a driver who has already caused an accident. An MTA bus driver failed to use the parking brake in 2018 while on a Brooklyn street. As a result, the bus rolled backward and struck a pedestrian before slamming into four cars and a church. The MTA only suspended the driver for a few weeks, then reinstated him.
If you have suffered an injury caused by a negligent bus driver, we can help. You may be entitled to compensation from the MTA for your injuries. Contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at Pulvers Thompson to schedule your free initial consultation today.
