Harlem Bus Accident: Ten People Injured In Harlem MTA Bus Accident East 116th Street and Madison Avenue
HARLEM, NEW YORK (November 7, 2019) – At least 10 people were injured in an East Harlem bus accident after two MTA buses collided at the intersection of East 116th Street and Madison Avenue.
Harlem police are saying that the accident took place around 6:20 a.m. For reasons that remain under investigation one MTA bus collided with another MTA bus that was stopped at a red light.
At least 10 people on the bus stopped at the red light were injured and had to be taken to the hospital. An investigation into the cause of the East Harlem bus accident remains ongoing.
Liability In Harlem Bus Accidents
Buses are considered “common carriers” under the law and have a heavy burden to transport passengers safely. Bus drivers must observe all relevant traffic laws and operate their vehicles according to the prevailing conditions of the road. Bus accidents tend to happen when drivers fail to maintain a safe follow distance. According to the FMCSA, “If you are driving below 40 mph, you should leave at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length. [T]his results in 4 seconds between you and the leading vehicle. For speeds over 40 mph, you should leave one additional second.” Here are just a few other common causes of bus accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driver intoxication
- Over the counter medication
- Poor driving training
Bus drivers as well as other commercial drivers are held to a much higher standard in terms of what is considered legally intoxicated. According to FMCSA regulations, “The FMCSA has established 0.04% as the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at or above which a CDL commercial motor vehicle operator who is required to have a CDL, and is operating a commercial motor vehicle, is deemed to be driving under the influence of alcohol and subject to the disqualification sanctions in the Federal regulations.” What many drivers don’t realize is that prescriptions as well as over the counter medications can also impair their driving ability.
In far too many situations bus drivers are put under an enormous amount of stress to complete their routes as quickly as possible. Bus drivers can easily get fatigued. One study out of the United Kingdom listed several factors as likely contributing to bus driver fatigue including “irregular shifts, quality and quantity of sleep, overall health of drivers, disciplinary culture and mental overload while driving.” Fatigue isn’t just inconvenient it can be dangerous. In fact, staying awake for 18 hours reduces driving ability equivalent to driving with a BAC of 0.05.
Victims of bus accidents may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Buses that can transport 16 or more passengers must carry at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Damages in a civil claim can help with lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Often times, victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries until several weeks or months after an accident. The smart thing to do after a bus accident is to contact an experienced bus accident attorney. An attorney can examine all of the facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Getting Help After A Harlem Bus Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to all of those that were injured in this Harlem bus accident. Any person that may have knowledge about the accident should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all of those that have been affected. Measures need to be put in place to help prevent additional accidents like this.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Harlem bus accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need to fully recover. Whether you just have questions about the law or need a free investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 212-471-5106.
