14 Injured in Times Square Double Decker Bus Crash

Fourteen people were injured when two double-decker buses collided in Times Square the afternoon of Aug. 5. According to NBC and New York Times reports, the buses collided at Seventh Avenue and West 47th Street, near the famous red staircase of the TKTS booth in the middle of one of the busiest areas of New York City. Thirteen pedestrians were injured by a falling light pole and flying debris from the pole and bus.
A tour guide aboard one of the buses was also hurt when she was thrown forward and her head became lodged in the dashboard. All of the injured victims were treated at the scene. Some of the victims who were transported to area hospitals were reported to have suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Ongoing Investigation
Police arrested the driver of the double-decker Grayline bus that crashed into the plaza on suspicion of driving while impaired. However, he was released later after results of the alcohol and drug tests came out negative. Officials are now awaiting results from a full toxicology report. The driver, officials say, has a long history of license suspensions for administrative infractions. His license had been suspended 11 times in the past for infractions that included failing to have proper insurance and failing to pay child support. The driver’s license was valid at the time of this crash.
Large Buses on Crowded Streets
This incident has left many wondering about the safety of having large buses operating on streets crowded with pedestrians. In Manhattan, especially, double-decker buses have increased in number. According to the New York State Transportation Department, it had inspected 260 double-decker buses for operation in the city this year – up from 194 inspected last year. In 2003, there were only 57 such buses operating in New York City. Sightseeing buses have been involved in other crashes this year, including one in June that left a pedestrian in the West Village seriously injured.
Compensation for Bus Accident Victims
An injured victim of a bus accident can file a personal injury claim against the bus driver and the bus company that employed the driver. Bus companies have a responsibility to hire drivers with good safety records. Companies that fail to do so can be held liable for negligent hiring or negligent retention of a bad bus driver. Bus accident victims can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our skilled accident attorneys have a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: The New York Times, NBC