Drunk Driving Bus Accidents in Long Island

Drunk driving is typically seen as an incident involving private vehicles instead of public ones. However, there are times when drunk drivers can get involved in bus accidents. The scary part is that such incidents happen regularly with at least one motor vehicle operator intoxicated. These incidents can also involve the passengers, nearby pedestrians, and other motorists.

As a result, potentially devastating outcomes can arise. It can result in severe injuries or even death. While rare, there may even be incidents where bus drivers themselves may be under the influence of alcohol, placing their passengers and others in danger. If you have been involved in a drunk driving bus accident in Long Island, legal options may be available. Discuss the situation and the type of actions you can take with a bus crash attorney as soon as possible.

Do Bus Accidents Involve Drunk Bus Drivers?

Believe it or not, there are bus accidents that occur where the driver was drunk. One major incident happened in the New York City area involving a bus driver who was employed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The accident occurred in 2018 when the driver crashed into a row of parked cars. Luckily for the nine passengers on board, they suffered no injuries.

In the aftermath, authorities were able to find two bottles of vodka on the bus, and the driver was clearly intoxicated. While no injuries or deaths were reported, such accidents can result in the worst consequences. Bus drivers, whether private or public employees, need to be attentive and able to perform their driving duties. This includes not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The reason is obvious: the safety of everyone on board, including the driver and surrounding motorists, will always be a priority.

Catastrophic results from bus accidents are preventable. If a bus driver in Long Island is drunk and causes a bus crash resulting in injury or death, the likelihood of legal action from the victims or even the survivors of the deceased is high. If you were among the victims or those affected, Duffy & Duffy can help determine if you have legal options available to pursue compensation.

What Are The Common Causes of DUI Bus Crashes

All bus drivers need to be focused and alert at all times while operating a bus. They should also have fast enough reflexes to make split-second decisions to prevent accidents. All of these abilities are impaired by alcohol. Other contributing factors to be aware of include:

• Impaired reaction times: Alcohol is notorious for slowing down your ability to respond to road hazard situations.
• Poor decision making: This includes ignoring signals or signage, increased speeding, and unexpected swerving.
• Fatigue or drowsiness: If you are driving long routes, you need to be alert. Fatigue and drowsiness can be amplified if you are drinking alcohol. This will also lead to occurrences of falling asleep behind the wheel, placing yourself and passengers in danger.
• Negligent oversight and hiring: Bus companies that fail to properly screen drivers or ignore red flags regarding substance use can be found liable in bus accidents.

Our Long Island lawyers at Duffy & Duffy are knowledgeable and experienced in handling drunk driving bus accident cases. Their first job in such situations is to help determine the underlying cause of the incident in order to determine liability and subsequently seek compensation for their clients.

Who Can Be Affected in Drunk Driving Bus Accidents?

Buses carry multiple passengers and share the road with other vehicles. For this reason, widespread harm in accidents is greatly increased. There are many who may be victims of these accidents, including:

• Bus passengers who are injured in a rollover or sudden stop
• Other drivers and passengers involved in the collision
• Pedestrians who are struck at an intersection or bus stop
• Motorcyclists or cyclists who share the road

Those who are injured in bus accidents in Long Island involving a drunk driver may face numerous situations in the aftermath. This can include long-term medical needs, lost income due to not being able to work, and even emotional trauma. As such, working with a lawyer can be the best solution to possible compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

Who Can Be Liable In Bus Accidents Involving A Drunk Driver?

In accident cases, establishing fault is a complex process. One of the major reasons is the potential that multiple parties might be at fault. Here is a list of who could be considered liable in Long Island bus accidents involving a drunk driver:

• The bus driver: If a bus driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident, they are directly liable. Aside from this, they will also face criminal charges such as DUI or vehicular assault, subjecting them to penalties including incarceration and fines if convicted.
• The bus company or employer: Employers may be held liable in accordance with vicarious liability. This covers events such as failure to conduct a proper background check, lax policies to prevent DUI behavior, ignored signs of substance abuse or intoxication, or pressuring drivers to meet schedules that were unrealistic. A Notice of Claim will need to be filed if the accident involved a public entity.
• Third parties: Vendors or contractors responsible for managing the driver or maintaining the bus may also be subject to liability. In one such case, it can be due to safety standards that are ignored.

What Compensation Can Victims Pursue?

Depending on the circumstances of a DUI bus crash in Long Island, victims can have the right to pursue a personal injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit. That is why it is important to work with an experienced Long Island bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to maximize the compensation that you could possibly receive. Such damages victims (or surviving family members) can pursue include:

• Economic damages: These will cover medical bills, future medical care, loss of wages and income, loss of earning capacity, and even property damage.
• Non-economic damages: Includes pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and permanent disability or disfigurement
• Punitive damages: While not typical in regular bus crashes, these damages are included because they involve the behavior of a bus driver. Specifically, the drivers themselves deliberately disregarded the safety of their passengers, nearby pedestrians, and surrounding motorists.

Please bear in mind that New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the time of the incident. If you are a surviving family member of a victim who died in an accident, a two-year statute of limitations applies. Regardless, it is a race against the clock in terms of pursuing your legal options. This is why consulting with a lawyer who handles personal injuries and wrongful death should be done as soon as possible.

Proving A DUI Bus Accident Claim: What Evidence Is Needed?

A bus accident injury claim requires solid evidence that will support your case. A lawyer in Long Island knowledgeable with bus accidents highly recommended that the evidence providing the accident will require determining whether the bus driver was impaired and if their intoxication directly caused the crash. These can be proven by reports filed by law enforcement officials who were on scene and investigating the incident.

There should also be evidence that you suffered damages as a result. Such evidence that may be included is: police reports, results from toxicology and breathalyzer tests, eyewitness statements, and medical records. Independent investigations can also reveal other details, like negligence on the part of the bus company, including previous complaints about the specific driver or any missed opportunities for intervention.

Involved in a Drunk Driving Bus Accident in Long Island? Call Duffy & Duffy Now

Bus accidents where drunk driving was a factor can lead to catastrophic consequences. Injury and death may be the result. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a drunk driving bus accident in Long Island, consulting with an attorney is your next step to determine if you have a case. Duffy & Duffy has experienced lawyers who are ready to help you lay out a potential legal strategy to help get you the compensation that is possible. To schedule a consultation, call our office.