New Jersey Bus Accident Attorneys

Proudly serving all of New Jersey

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NJ Transit and Bus Accident Claims

Any bus accident has the potential to cause serious injuries, permanent disabilities, or even death to the people involved. Victims on the bus, in other vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot all have the right to financial compensation if they were injured as a result of a bus accident.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bus collision, contact a New Jersey auto accident lawyer from Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., today. We are skilled in all areas of car accident law, and have the experience to successfully represent an injured victim or the family of a deceased victim. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers to discuss the bus accident that has touched your family.

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New Jersey Bus Rules and Regulations

• School buses are unique in that they carry large numbers of young people, are government owned and operated, and must abide by stringent training and driving regulations. Most school buses do not have seat belts or safety restraints for children. This makes it especially dangerous to stand or move around while the bus is in motion. Other drivers on the road must follow special laws when driving near or around school buses and are responsible for learning those laws.
• City buses and intrastate and interstate buses, such as ones traveling to Atlantic City, are also required to abide by safety regulations. Drivers must not drive over a certain amount of hours in a 24-hour period, they must be properly trained and licensed, and they must travel at slower speed limits than other drivers. There are special laws regarding city and public buses, which is why it is so important that you hire a New Jersey bus accident lawyer with knowledge in your accident area.
• Tour bus companies and their drivers are just as responsible for the safety and well-being of their passengers. They must properly vet and interview their potential drivers, and not hire anyone with a history of excessive accidents or intoxicated driving. Their drivers must follow all regulations for the vehicles they are in, including limits on how long they can drive and speeds they can travel at.
• Shuttles to Newark Airport also carry certain responsibilities for their passengers and others on the road. These vehicles usually travel on a strict timetable, which may make drivers unnecessarily reckless or go at excessive speeds. The companies running these airport shuttles must allow their drivers enough time to make necessary stops and still reach the airport on time. These shuttles are also responsible for picking up an appropriate number of passengers so that everyone has a seat. Children cannot ride on the laps of their parents; they must have their own seats.

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Bus Accident Causes

Some contributing factors in bus-related accidents include driver negligence, dangerous roadways, weather conditions, defective automotive products, and improper bus maintenance. In general, certain causes are more common than others. These include:

• Distracted drivers: While modern innovations like mobile phones and tablets present serious distractions, the number one distraction that results in fatal collisions is actually daydreaming. All distractions to a driver are dangerous.
• Fatigued drivers: Bus drivers cannot operate a vehicle outside of a restricted number of hours each day and week. Drivers who go beyond these limits risk becoming fatigued, which slows reaction times and creates opportunities for serious collisions. When companies push or encourage their drivers to break these rules, they can be held liable too.
• Poor maintenance: Bus companies need to keep their vehicles in excellent condition so that they are safe on the road. When companies fail to keep up maintenance and repairs, often to improve profits, they put everyone on the road in danger. Bad tires, failing brakes, and improper safety systems can all result in accidents and injuries.
• Other drivers: Drivers who do not appreciate the large size of buses, and how long it takes for them to stop, can cut off buses and cause a collision. These drivers can be held liable for injuries to passengers within the bus, as well as anyone else involved in such a crash.
• Passenger negligence: Passengers are also responsible for acting in a reasonable way while riding in the vehicle. This means they should not distract the driver, or endanger the other passengers. While rare, it is possible that the actions of a passenger could directly cause a collision, making him or her liable for injuries to others.

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New Jersey Bus Accident Lawyers Discuss Liability

While driver liability is often difficult to determine, all drivers involved in a car collision in NJ may bear some responsibility for the crash. Passengers are very rarely the cause of a crash. Therefore, they are almost certainly entitled to monetary compensation for injuries they sustained or their damaged property. It does not matter whether the passenger was in the car with the liable driver or not, except in determining which insurance carrier must pay for the passenger’s losses.

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Injuries from Public Transportation

Commuters are using rapid transit and public transportation more and more each year due to increased congestion on the roads. In accordance with the growing number of people using buses as their main source of transportation, there has been an increase in bus-related injuries and deaths.

Claims for damages against a public or governmental entity are complicated and have strict time limitations. If you have been seriously injured in an accident involving a bus, you need the advice of a knowledgeable Princeton lawyer.

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Fatal Bus Accidents

Fatal accidents add another level of trauma to the surviving family members and loved ones of the victim. This added mental demand can feel like the weight of the world is resting on your shoulders. But it is critical that you begin the process of seeking compensation from the party or parties responsible for this tragic accident. Multiple parties may be found to have contributed to the accident depending on the circumstances, including:

• Bus driver
• Bus company
• Bus maintenance facility
• Bus parts supplier
• Bus manufacturer
• Government or public entity
• Driver of another vehicle

Not all victims are passengers on the bus that was involved in the accident. Passengers of other vehicles, as well as pedestrians who are killed as a result of a bus accident, all have the same right to fair compensation.

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Potential Damages in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Compensation or reimbursement for any of the following could apply to your situation:

• Loss of future income
• Loss of future services
• Medical expenses
• Funeral costs
• Pain and suffering of the deceased after the injury that caused the death
• Punitive damages, if the death was caused by criminal negligence

Though it may be difficult to think long-term immediately after the loss of a loved one, you should seek the full compensation that is rightfully owed to you. In the state of New Jersey, the statute of limitations to file a wrongful death suit is normally two years from the date of the accident. However, there are certain circumstances that can have an impact on that limitation, so speak to an attorney about your unique situation.

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NJ Car Accident Lawyers Dedicated to Your Case

For more than 25 years, Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., has been protecting the rights of injured victims and their families to help them obtain fair and just compensation. It is not uncommon for us to achieve six-, even seven-figure settlement awards for our clients. If you want a Princeton attorney who consistently produces satisfactory case results, fill out an online contact form or call us at (609) 240-0040 now.

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Additional Information

• Bus Accident Injures Princeton Students
• Large Truck Traffic Safety Facts
• Buses, Trains & Light Rail in New Jersey