Bus Driver Negligence

Thousands and thousands of people depend on public transportation in New Jersey and New York every day.

When you step onto a city transit bus, you entrust the bus driver to drive safely. If the bus driver is negligent, the lives of his or her passengers are at risk as well as the lives of the people walking, driving or riding in the vicinity of the bus.

Accidents do happen and the consequences can be significant, both emotionally and financially. California law ensures that the cost of a bus accident is borne by those at fault, not by the innocent passengers or their families. Bus accidents are not uncommon and can leave an individual severely injured or even dead.

Buses are specialized vehicles that require trained drivers because of their complicated nature and safety hazards.

However, if a mechanical part fails or if a driver makes even a small mistake, the results for the occupants of smaller vehicles can be devastating and often fatal.

The weekend did not end well for those of you traveling on Route 23 in West Milford the other evening. Five people were injured when a New Jersey Transit bus and a pickup truck collided, causing the road to be closed for more than six hours.

A 49-year old bus driver traveling south on Old Route 23 and approaching the intersection of Route 23 north collided with a 45-year old driver who was traveling north. After the two vehicles collided, the bus continued off the roadway and onto the center median.

The bus driver had to be extricated from the bus; she was airlifted to a nearby trauma center. The only passenger on the bus, a 60-year old man, was taken via ambulance to the hospital as well.

The driver of the pickup truck refused treatment at the scene. However, the registered owner of the truck, who was not the driver, and two juvenile children were taken to a nearby hospital with varying degrees of injury.

The incident remains under investigation by the West Milford Police.

I wish all the victims a speedy and complete recovery.

Whether you or your loved one sustained injuries as a result of being a passenger on a bus or you were hit by a bus while driving, riding, or walking, the personal injury law offices of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. P.C. P.C. can represent you in your legal case to recover compensatory damages for your injuries.

Contact us at our Fort Lee, New Jersey or New York City office to discuss your options.