Manhattan Based Bus Accident Attorneys, Representing Accident Victims in New York for Over Four Decades

What began as a joyful vacation ended in heartbreak. Our client, a vibrant woman full of life and laughter, boarded a tour bus for a relaxing getaway. But her trip was cut tragically short when a tire suddenly blew out at highway speed. The driver, unprepared and speeding, lost control. The bus overturned. Amid the chaos, our client was ejected from her seat and lost her life.

Our investigation uncovered a series of preventable failures:

• A defective tire
• A driver who lacked proper training
• No seat belts for passengers
• A company that cut corners on safety

This wasn’t a freak accident. It was negligence – pure and simple.

We are Shana De Caro and Michael Kaplen, senior partners at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP. For over 45 years, we’ve held bus drivers, bus companies and equipment providers accountable for preventable tragedies. We secured a $3.5 million settlement for her family, and the justice they deserved. If you or a loved one suffered due to a bus company's negligence, we’re ready to fight for you.

Our partners Shana De Caro and Michael Kaplen, the partners at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, have represented bus crash victims in New York for over 45 years. They have a long history of advocating for the best interests of their clients, and proven success in winning substantial settlements and verdicts.

And unlike many firms, your case won’t be handed off to a paralegal or junior associate. You’ll work directly with Shana and Michael, who will personally handle your bus accident case from start to finish.

We invite you to visit our bio pages (Shana, Michael) for more information on our credentials, or follow the links below.

• Shana and Michael served on the Advisory Board of the Interstate Bus Accident Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice
• We are preferred attorneys of The Brain Injury Association of America (link)
• Michael is a professorial lecturer at law, teaching a course in brain injury law at the George Washington University Law School (link)
• Shana De Caro served two terms as Chairwoman of The Brain Injury Association of America (link)
• Michael served two terms as Chair of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council (link)
• Both Shana and Michael have been selected as New York Super Lawyers (link, link)

According to the MTA's safety dashboards, around 1,200 traffic collisions with injury and 780 on-board injury events occur each year on the city’s bus network (2023 figures).

If you have suffered injuries due to the negligence of a bus driver, bus company, or related service providers, you may have a valid bus accident claim.

If you’re unsure about liability, then we invite you to contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll fully assess the circumstances behind your accident and give you advice on the best way to proceed with a claim.

Below are common types of bus accidents in New York for which our firm has previously represented clients. We should point out however, that this list isn’t exhaustive. If you believe negligence contributed to your accident, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Driver negligence includes:

• distracted driving,
• speeding, fatigue,
• aggressive maneuvers,
• and ignoring traffic signals.

Any error or negligence by a driver can result in severe injuries or fatalities, affecting passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.

In one case handled by De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, we proved that the cause of the bus crash was driver inattention or fatigue, causing the bus operator to leave his lane of travel and crash, leading to traumatic brain injuries suffered by three young girls. The verdict resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement for our clients.

Improper maintenance of buses by operators can lead to severe mechanical failures, including:

• tire blowouts,
• brake failures,
• and steering malfunctions

Regular inspections and diligent maintenance are essential to preventing these potentially catastrophic incidents.

Aggressive driving behaviors significantly heighten accident risks. Reckless bus operations can cause collisions, abrupt stops, and serious passenger injuries, often resulting in substantial claims for damages.

Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable in bus accidents, often due to limited driver visibility or failure to yield appropriately at intersections or bus stops.

Accidents involving bus collisions with pedestrians and cyclists frequently cause severe injuries or fatalities in NYC.

Overcrowded buses create dangerous environments, increasing injury risks during abrupt stops, turns, or collisions. Regulations clearly specify passenger limits and safety procedures to prevent these avoidable injuries.

School bus accidents often stem from driver negligence, insufficient vehicle maintenance, or inadequate safety training. It goes without saying that accidents involving school buses and children can be devastating for all involved.

Some additional bus accident cases we have seen over the our 45 years in practice include:

• Bus collisions with fixed objects
• Injuries caused by slip-and-fall incidents on buses
• Accidents involving transit system negligence
• Passenger injuries from sudden stops or accelerations

If negligence contributed to your bus accident injury, you deserve compensation.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

When we take on a bus accident case our firm retains a team of engineers, treating physicians, medical experts, and accident reconstruction experts to conduct a rigorous investigation into the crash that caused your injuries. Our process involves:

• Reviewing police reports and photographs
• Evaluating weather conditions at the time of the incident
• Interviewing passengers and eyewitnesses
• Reviewing medical records
• Researching the bus company’s driver hiring practices
• Examining the bus driver’s driving record
• And more

A recent case involved a tour bus that sustained a tire blowout and veered off the roadway, causing the bus to flip over. This resulted in multiple injuries and deaths to the bus occupants. Our attorneys successfully proved that the bus driver was speeding, the bus tire was defective, and the bus manufacturer failed to provide necessary seat belts. Because of our investigation and expert analysis, we achieved multi-million dollar settlements for our clients.

If you've been injured in a bus accident in New York, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of losses, including:

• Medical Expenses: This includes past and future medical bills, hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and prescription medications.
• Lost Wages: You can recover lost income from being unable to work due to your injuries. This includes past lost wages and future lost earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: You can be compensated for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by your injuries.
• Property Damage: If your personal property was damaged in the accident, such as your vehicle, bicycle, or personal belongings, you can recover the cost of repair or replacement.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where the bus company or driver acted with gross negligence or recklessness, you may be able to recover punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
• Other Expenses: You may also be able to recover other expenses related to your injuries, such as transportation costs to medical appointments, home healthcare expenses, and the cost of assistive devices.

The specific damages you can recover will depend on the facts of your case and the extent of your (or a loved one's) injuries. Our attorneys will ensure that claims are made for all damages you may be entitled to.

If your bus accident involved the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority), New York City Transit Authority, or another government-operated bus service, the claims process is different from a claim against a private bus company. It's essential to understand these differences to protect your right to compensation.

• Notice of Claim: New York State law requires you to file a Notice of Claim with the relevant government entity within 90 days of the accident which caused your injury. This written notice must include specific details about the accident, including the date, time, location, and nature of your injuries. Failure to file a timely and accurate Notice of Claim can result in the dismissal of your case.
• Statute of Limitations: For claims against The New York City Transit Authority, the MTA and other government entities, the statute of limitations is typically 1 year and 90 days from the date of the accident. This is a shorter timeframe than the standard statute of limitations for personal injury cases in New York.
• How to File: The process for filing a Notice of Claim varies depending on the specific agency involved. It's highly recommended to seek legal assistance from an experienced New York bus accident attorney to ensure that your Notice of Claim is properly prepared and filed.
• Why is this important? Government entities often have more resources and legal defenses than private companies. Navigating the claims process requires a thorough understanding of the applicable laws and procedures. Our attorneys can assist with filing the initial claim, help you build a strong case, gather evidence, and negotiate with the government entity to obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

When you hire a bus collision attorney, you don’t want to be just a number. At De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, our partners maintain a small list of clients in order to handle every case personally. Along with seasoned legal guidance, our lawyers provide you with dedicated support to make the litigation process as stress-free as possible.

We work on a contingency basis—so you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket legal fees. You pay nothing unless we obtain a successful settlement or judgment on your behalf.

Our bus accident lawyers serve the entire State of New York including New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens. We also serve Nassau and Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester Counties, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse and surrounding areas.

New York law limits the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit and we would urge you to start the legal process as soon as possible after your accident.

While specifics may vary, here is some important information for New York bus crash and accident cases:

MTA, and New York City Transit Authority related cases trigger a 90-day written notice requirement and a compressed 1 year and 90 day statute of limitations.

Missing any notice or filing deadline is usually fatal to the claim, so if you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident in New York we would urge you to contact us for a free consultation as soon as possible.

Your bus accident case starts with one conversation, directly with one of our partners, Shana De Caro or Michael Kaplen.

Why act today?

Because the earlier you file a claim, the better. Missing deadlines will mean your case is unable to move forward.

• No upfront cost – We’re paid only if we win for you.
• Personal attention – Your case is handled start-to-finish by our partners, not passed to a junior associate.
• Proven results – Multi-million-dollar recoveries for New Yorkers injured buses

Don’t let evidence disappear or deadlines expire. Reach out now, and let’s start building the strongest claim possible, together.