Large trucks and buses make up a smaller share of vehicles on New York’s roads, but they cause a greater share of serious crashes. When these vehicles collide with passenger cars or injure bus passengers, the results can be devastating. If you or a loved one has been hurt in one of these crashes, working with an experienced truck and bus accident lawyer can make a critical difference in protecting your rights and securing fair compensation.
In 2022, large trucks and buses caused about 10% of all fatal crashes in New York State (NYS Comptroller, 2022). These accidents happen less often than car crashes, but the risks are much higher, severe injuries, complex legal claims, and multiple liable parties.
This article explains the risks of truck and bus accidents in New York, what causes them, and what steps drivers and passengers should take after being involved.
Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer Insights: New York Statistics
The numbers show why truck and bus crashes deserve close attention. In 2022, large trucks and buses accounted for nearly 10% of all fatal crashes in New York (NYS Comptroller, 2022). Between 2013 and 2022, New York recorded 59 fatal school bus crashes, the fourth highest in the country (Campus Safety, 2023).
The risks extend beyond school buses. In 2024, the United States saw more than 13,000 bus accidents. Over half caused injuries, and about 1.3% ended in fatalities (TruckInfo.net, 2024). Trucks and buses make up fewer vehicles on the road, but the crashes they cause are often far more severe.
Why You Need a Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer for These Cases
Truck and bus accidents differ from ordinary car crashes in key ways. The size and weight of these vehicles make injuries more severe, even at lower speeds. Victims of these accidents often suffer life-changing harm such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or permanent disability.
Liability is also more complex. In a typical car accident, another driver usually bears responsibility. In truck and bus crashes, the driver’s employer, a maintenance contractor, a manufacturer, or even a government agency may share the blame. These cases involve higher insurance policy limits. While this creates the chance for greater compensation, insurers fight claims aggressively to protect themselves.
Commercial drivers and their employers must also follow strict safety rules. These include federal hours-of-service limits, required inspections, and commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements. When drivers or companies break these rules, those violations can help prove fault. For more information on how truck accident cases differ, visit our Truck Accident page.
What a Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer Sees as Common Causes in New York
Many factors lead to truck and bus crashes in New York. Driver fatigue remains one of the leading causes, especially when drivers push past federal hours-of-service rules to meet deadlines. Distracted driving also plays a major role, whether from mobile phone use or other distractions. Impaired driving, involving alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medication, creates additional risks.
Poor vehicle maintenance increases the danger. Brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering problems can make large vehicles difficult to control. Improperly loaded cargo may shift, leading to rollovers or a loss of stability. In New York, weather and road conditions add to the hazards, especially when rain, ice, or snow makes driving unsafe.
How a Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer Protects Injured Bus Passengers
Bus passengers face unique risks. School buses often lack seatbelts, leaving children vulnerable in a crash. Public transit passengers may be standing or holding onto handrails, which makes them more likely to suffer injuries when a bus collides with another vehicle or stops suddenly.
Passenger injuries can range from whiplash and broken bones to concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Many passengers don’t realize they have legal rights after these accidents. Passengers can pursue compensation if negligence by a driver, bus company, or another party caused the crash.
Steps a Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer Recommends After a Crash
The steps you take after a truck or bus accident can shape both your recovery and your legal options. First, seek medical care right away, even if you think your injuries are minor. Next, call law enforcement and make sure a police report is filed. That report can become critical evidence.
If possible, collect evidence at the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, the area, and your injuries. Gather witness information and details about the vehicles and companies involved. Notify your insurance company as required, but use caution when speaking with insurers for trucking or bus companies. Their goal is to limit what they pay.
Finally, contact an experienced New York accident attorney. These cases are complex, and legal support helps ensure your rights remain protected. To learn more about your options, visit our Motor Vehicle Accidents page.
Compensation a Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer Can Pursue
Victims of truck and bus accidents may recover compensation for many types of losses. These include medical expenses for emergency treatment, hospital care, surgeries, and rehabilitation. Victims may also claim lost wages and damages for reduced earning capacity if they cannot return to work. Compensation for pain and suffering, the physical and emotional toll of the accident, is also possible.
When crashes cause fatalities, surviving family members may file wrongful death claims. These claims cover funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional loss caused by a loved one’s death. Because commercial insurance policies often carry higher limits, victims and families may be able to recover more. But trucking and bus companies use significant resources to defend against these claims, which makes legal representation essential.
Protecting Victims of Truck and Bus Accidents
Truck and bus accidents happen less often than other crashes, but the consequences are much greater. The severity of the injuries, the complexity of liability, and the tactics used by insurance companies all make these cases difficult to handle alone.
Discuss Your Case with a New York Truck and Bus Accident Attorney
An attorney experienced in New York truck and bus accident cases can make a big difference in your claim. Time is of the essence, specifically when a large vehicle is involved as it can often include critical evidence like black box data, maintenance logs, and driver logs that need to be preserved immediately. Contact Josh and Janet today to schedule a free consultation.
