Sixteen people were injured, one critically, after a New Jersey Transit bus struck a barrier on a ramp close to the Port Authority terminal in Manhattan. According to a report in The New York Times, multiple people were found on the ground outside the bus and passengers were trapped inside after the crash. All 16 victims, including the bus driver, were taken to hospitals after the bus hit the barrier near 39th Street and Ninth Avenue.
Injuries Reported
Emergency responders reportedly had difficulty entering the bus because of major damage to the front end of the vehicle. One person, found inside the bus, was in critical condition, officials said. The cause of the accident was unknown and currently under investigation. None of the other victims’ injuries was life threatening, based on the news report.
The bus, which was operated by New Jersey Transit on the 156 line, was headed to the Port Authority terminal from Fort Lee. The intersection near the Port Authority terminal is one of the busiest in the city. During rush hours, vehicles, including cars and buses, jam the streets in the area trying to get into and out of the bus depot, the Lincoln Tunnel and the nearby theater district.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
There are a number of reasons why bus accidents occur. A thorough investigation is often necessary 
to determine what factors led to the collision. Here are some of the most common causes of bus accidents in New York City:
Driver fatigue: Bus drivers, including those who operate transit buses or tour buses tend to work long hours, often without adequate rest. As New York personal injury lawyers we have seen many such incidents triggered by drowsy or fatigued driving. When drivers fall asleep at the wheel, the consequences can be absolutely devastating.
Excessive speed: Speed has been a factor in a number of auto accidents in New York City and other cities around the country, especially as our roadways have been emptied out because of coronavirus-related shutdowns. Excessive speed or an unsafe rate of speed can make it very difficult to control a large vehicle such as a bus.
Distracted driving: A distraction doesn’t necessarily have to be cell phone use. A driving distraction may be something as simple as the bus driver turning around and talking to a passenger. In single-vehicle collisions, it is important to look into whether distracted or inattentive driving played a part.
Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can also cause bus accidents. Driving under the influence tends to impair not just the driver’s abilities, but also his or her judgment.
Mechanical failure: In some cases, bus accidents occur because of poor vehicle maintenance. It is the duty of the bus company or the entity that operates buses to make sure they are in good working condition and are serviced frequently. Equipment failure such as brake failure can prove catastrophic.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of bus accidents may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. In cases where victims are killed in bus accidents, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as loss of future income, medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, 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, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
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 and medical malpractice cases in New York, 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.
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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/29/nyregion/bus-accident-nyc-port-authority.html