Bus Accidents
Persistent representation for crash victims and their families
When a public or private bus is involved in an accident with a car, bike, motorcycle or pedestrian, you usually can expect the other driver or occupants to suffer serious or fatal injuries.
The lawyers at DeToffol & Gittleman strive to ensure that bus crash victims do not become victims twice. Fighting a government agency or bus company for compensation for an injury can be a frustrating, uphill battle. Our law firm helps clients win that battle. We have been obtaining compensation from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New Jersey Transit, bus tour companies and other private passenger carriers for decades. We are not intimidated by them or by their teams of lawyers. Our skills have resulted in numerous successful cases for our clients.
Complex litigation requires skilled advocacy
Bus company attorneys begin working immediately to limit liability, so it is essential that you quickly find an experienced lawyer to protect your interests. With more than 100 combined years of personal injury litigation experience, DeToffol & Gittleman possesses the resources and knowledge to make a difference in your case.
Our clients include drivers and occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians and bus passengers, including children injured in school bus accidents. Some of our clients suffer severe, debilitating injuries, including brain injuries and spinal injuries.
We fully understand Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and how they apply to New York roads. We know what is required to prove liability in even the most difficult cases. Our attorneys preserve evidence, including company policies and training and driving records. We conduct witness interviews and lay out a strategy for success that often includes a team of engineering and medical experts.
Regulations governing buses
The firm is experienced in accidents caused by many factors, from aggressive or reckless driving and mechanical failure to driver error and poor driver training. One of the most common causes of accidents is driver fatigue.
Maximum allowed hours on the road and rest period requirements for passenger-carrying commercial vehicles under federal regulations are slightly different from those for tractor-trailers. No bus driver can:
- Drive more than ten hours following eight consecutive hours off-duty or for any period after having been on duty 15 hours following eight consecutive hours off-duty
- Drive after having been on duty 60 hours in any seven consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week or after having been on duty 70 hours in any period of eight consecutive days if the employer operates commercial motor vehicles every day of the week.
Additionally, buses in Manhattan must adhere to strict regulations about their routes for safety and security reasons. A bus company that causes an injury while in violation of these or any motor vehicle regulation may be held liable.
