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Bus and truck accidents in Long Island and New York City continue to cause serious injuries and tragic loss of life. These large vehicles, whether operated by municipal services or private companies, pose a heightened risk on crowded roadways. Recent accidents across the region highlight the dangers: In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a garbage truck turning on Bushwick Avenue struck and killed a 26-year-old moped rider. In The Bronx, an oil truck collided with an electric bicycle, killing the passenger at Southern Boulevard and Bruckner Boulevard. In Elmhurst, Queens, a 70-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck by an MTA bus. In Old Westbury, Long Island, a dumpster truck crashed into a school bus, injuring several children and the driver. In North Lindenhurst, a school bus and car crash at Sunrise Highway and North Delaware Avenue left 10 people injured, including four children. In North Babylon, a school bus carrying a high school track team hit a utility pole, injuring nine students. These incidents serve as a stark reminder that bus and truck collisions are not rare—and they often result in catastrophic injuries. Common Causes of Bus and Truck Accidents in New York Although the details vary, many of these collisions are the result of preventable mistakes. Common causes include: Unsafe right or left turns Failure to observe red lights or stop signs Poor vehicle maintenance Speeding or reckless driving Driver distraction or fatigue Ignoring road conditions Drivers of commercial and municipal vehicles have a heightened duty of care due to the size, weight, and limited maneuverability of these vehicles. When that duty is violated, the consequences can be devastating. Legal Challenges After a Bus or Truck Accident If you or a loved one is injured in a bus or truck accident on Long Island or in NYC, you may be entitled to financial compensation. However, claims involving municipal or government-owned vehicles are subject to special rules and time limits. For example: Municipal vehicles such as MTA buses or sanitation trucks may require a Notice of Claim to be filed within 90 days of the accident. In some cases, the deadline is even shorter. To receive No-Fault benefits for medical expenses and lost wages, paperwork must be filed promptly—often within 30 days. Failure to act within these strict timeframes can mean losing your right to compensation altogether. Why You Need a Truck or Bus Accident Lawyer in Garden City, NY Given the complexity of claims involving school buses, city transit, or commercial trucks, it’s essential to consult a knowledgeable attorney. The legal team at Miller, Montiel & Strano has decades of experience handling personal injury claims in Garden City, throughout Long Island and in the five boroughs of the City of New York. We understand: How to investigate crashes involving large vehicles The difference between municipal liability and private company liability How to ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time How to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and lost income Injured in a Bus or Truck Crash? Contact Miller, Montiel & Strano Today Don’t wait. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus or truck accident in Garden City, Long Island, or anywhere in New York City, protect your rights by speaking with a skilled personal injury lawyer. The attorneys at Miller, Montiel & Strano will evaluate your case, handle all filings, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. FAQ: Bus and Truck Accident Claims in Long Island and NYC What should I do after being injured in a bus or truck accident in New York? Seek medical attention immediately. Then, try to gather evidence like photographs, witness contact info, and a copy of the police report. Contact an experienced accident attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights. Is there a time limit to file a claim against the city or MTA? Yes. If a municipal vehicle is involved, you typically must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the crash. Missing this deadline can bar your claim. Can I get compensation even if I was a pedestrian or bicyclist? Yes. Whether you were walking, biking, or in another vehicle, if a bus or truck driver was negligent, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. How is a truck accident different from a car accident? Truck accidents often involve more severe injuries and may include multiple liable parties, such as the driver, trucking company, and maintenance provider. They also involve more complex regulations and insurance issues. Do I need a lawyer for a school bus crash claim in Long Island? Yes. School bus accidents typically involve municipal school districts or private companies. An experienced lawyer will help you navigate the filing deadlines and liability complexities to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

As a parent, you trust the school bus driver to safely transport your child to and from school. But negligent actions by the bus driver and other parties can result in serious injury. If your child was hurt in a school bus accident, winning compensation will require proving that the at-fault party or parties were legally liable. That means knowing some of the most common causes of school bus accidents. The attorneys of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. examine a few of them here. Who may be held liable for a school bus accident? Part of a lawyer’s job is to determine who can be held accountable for causing an accident. In some cases, only one party is responsible for the wreck. In others, multiple parties can be named as defendants in a civil lawsuit. Some examples of potentially liable parties in school bus accidents include: The school bus driver The school district The manufacturer of the school bus or its parts and components Other drivers Third parties, such as construction contractors, who create dangerous road conditions The exact nature of your child’s accident will determine who is responsible. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the wreck to make sure all potential defendants are identified. Why do school bus accidents happen? Filing a negligence lawsuit will be necessary to win the maximum damages available to cover your child’s medical bills and other losses. However, your lawyer will need to explain, and prove, not only who was responsible for the accident but how it happened. These are some possible reasons the wreck took place: Violating traffic laws. A bus driver or the driver of another vehicle (or possibly both) may have triggered the accident by speeding or violating other traffic rules. For instance, drivers who fail to stop while children are getting on or off the bus could seriously injure one. Distracted driving. A specific traffic law violation that has continued to worsen in recent years is distracted driving. Cell phone use, for example, is a major contributor to school bus accidents. All motorists are required by law to keep their focus on the road. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any form of intoxicated driving is illegal and dangerous. Even if the intoxication was caused by prescription medication, it is the driver’s duty to not operate the school bus or other vehicle unless he or she can safely drive. Failure to minimize distractions. The bus driver should make sure that any unruly children on the bus are brought under control. Allowing children to serve as distractions to the driver can cause a fatal accident. Failure to adjust driving to adverse conditions. Bad weather, heavy traffic, and other dangerous conditions should cause all drivers to slow down and act with abundant caution. Failure to do so could trigger a major crash. Hazardous road conditions. These could be the result of negligent third parties such as construction companies and governmental entities. Note that there are different rules for holding a governmental unit liable versus a private party. Poor training. The school district that hired the bus driver may be responsible if the driver was poorly trained. The district can be held liable if it failed to check the driver’s background or experience to ensure that person is qualified to drive the school bus. Defective parts and poor maintenance. If a defect with the school bus caused the accident, several parties may be liable. These include the bus manufacturer, the company that made the part or component on the bus that failed, or a repair shop or mechanic. Demanding Justice for Injured School Children A school bus accident can leave a child with significant medical bills and other damages. No matter who was responsible for causing injury to your child, our attorneys are ready to fight for them and for you. Call Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. today to get started.

Bus accidents are potentially catastrophic and could result in major, even permanent injuries for victims. Not only will medical bills start piling up, but you will likely be unable to work during your recovery. That means lost wages and added financial stress on you and your family. Serious accidents deserve serious legal representation, and that’s where the dedicated personal injury lawyers of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. are ready to serve you. Here are the steps you should take after being in a bus accident. Step 1: Get medical attention and follow your doctor’s recommendations After being in an accident, you may not understand how severe your injuries are. You might even believe that you weren’t injured at all. But some injuries take hours or even days to fully set in. If you don’t seek immediate medical assistance, you could be jeopardizing your health. You might also be jeopardizing your legal case. Lawyers who represent defendants in personal injury lawsuits look for excuses to blame victims for their injuries. By not seeing a doctor, an attorney might argue that it was your actions (not the defendant’s) that aggravated your injuries. You don’t want to be in the position of having to explain why you delayed seeing a doctor, so visit the emergency room or your primary care physician right away. Also, for the same reason, follow your doctor’s recommendations concerning your recovery. Take any medicines suggested by your doctor and be sure to attend any follow-up medical appointments. By following your doctor’s orders and advice, it will be much easier to seek compensation from the at-fault party. Step 2: Retain legal counsel early The sooner you speak with an experienced Queens personal injury attorney, the better. Your medical and other bills will begin to accrue while you are recovering and unable to work (or at least work at your full capacity). Taking early legal action will help you seek monetary compensation to offset these damages. Your lawyer will also handle communications with any insurance companies or attorneys that contact you, which can be a legal minefield without the assistance of counsel. You should especially retain a lawyer if a government entity, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) or New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), is the owner or operator of the bus. Suing public entities like the MTA and NYCTA introduces considerable complexities into your case, because there are special rules involved with suing a public agency. For instance, you must serve a Notice of Claim upon the MTA and NYCTA within a very short time after your accident. Let an attorney handle this important step. Your lawyer will also provide additional guidance on steps you should take. Step 3: Start organizing evidence Working with your attorney, you should begin documenting everything you can about the accident. You will need to present a case that the bus driver, the bus company, or some other individual and/or entity was negligent in causing the wreck. That means you need compelling evidence to substantiate your demand for compensation. Start by writing down everything you can remember about the events leading up to and right after the accident. Memories fade with time and you might forget a crucial piece of information if you don’t write it down as soon as you can. The more details you can recall, the better. If you can identify any witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information. Plus, begin collecting your medical bills and evidence of other expenses related to your injuries. Start documenting the work you are missing because of the accident. Take notes on your physical condition and limitations as you recover. Our Team is Ready to Help You Being proactive about your accident is the best way to improve your chances of recovering the maximum compensation for your injuries. After you’ve obtained the medical attention you need, let the dedicated attorneys of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. go to work for you. Call us today.

No parent wants to receive the news that their child has been injured in a school bus accident. Unfortunately, however, these accidents are not that uncommon. And even though school buses are large vehicles, a crash could result in significant injuries to a child. Parents allow their children to ride the school bus with the understanding that both the school system and the bus driver have taken steps to keep the child safe. When this doesn’t happen, and a child is injured as a result, the parents have the right to take legal action. Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. is ready to stand up for you and your family. These are the steps you should take if your child has been in a school bus accident: Step 1: Seek immediate medical attention for your child Nothing matters more than the health and well-being of your child. Even if emergency services have already been called to the scene of the bus accident, which is likely, make sure your child gets the medical attention he or she needs. Any delays in getting treatment could be detrimental to your child’s recovery. It will also make it more difficult to demand compensation from the liable party. Make sure you also follow the doctor’s recommended treatments after discharge from the hospital or medical clinic. And take your child to see any follow-up appointments. In other words, follow your child’s doctor’s instructions at all times. Step 2: Start gathering evidence To the extent possible, and as long as it does interfere with any official investigations, you need to begin gathering your own evidence about what happened. This is important for at least two reasons: You may gather evidence that is overlooked by investigators You need to understand how and why the accident happened On this second point, it should be stressed that the child’s family (through legal counsel) will have the burden of proof when it comes to seeking compensation. Therefore, the family will need to lay out exactly how the wreck happened and who is responsible. All of the following parties, and others, may be liable for school bus accidents: The public school district (or private school) The bus driver The bus owner The company that manufactured the bus or any parts that were defective Mechanics and repair shops Any governmental entities responsible for roadway construction or maintenance Any other motorists who may have caused the accident Evidence that you might gather could include photos and videos of the accident scene and witness statements, Step 3: Talk to your child about the accident Don’t discount any information that your own child, no matter the age, may be able to provide about the accident. Although child witness testimony can be challenging to present in a courtroom, you should absolutely find out how the wreck happened by talking to him or her. When your child is able to, ask what occurred. You may learn from your child about the cause of the crash, which could include: Driver negligence The involvement of another vehicle Poor weather or traffic conditions Children fighting on the bus Problems with the bus itself Dangerous conditions inside the bus, like slippery floors or steps Remember, since it will be your and your attorney’s job to establish liability, gathering all the facts you can now will make the legal process go more smoothly. The Final Step: Talk to An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Lastly, you need to retain knowledgeable legal counsel that is ready to serve you and your child. Seeking monetary compensation after a school bus is no simple matter. Quick action is best to make sure that medical bills and other expenses are paid by the liable party. Give Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. a call today to learn more.