Central New York Injury Lawyer Blog
It’s an epidemic. For the 3rd time this summer, a tour bus has been involved in an accident in Central New York State. This time a tour bus overturned in Whitney Point, between Exits 6 and 7 southbound on Interstate 81, just south of Cortland, at about 7:15 p.m. There were 28 passengers on board. Numerous injuries are reported and some passengers are still trapped in the bus, which is lying on its roof with its wheels in the air. Our heart goes out to all the victims. May they all escape unscathed.
On July 22, a Canadian tour bus bound for NY City and a tractor trailer collided and erupted in fire in the eastbound lanes of the New York State Thruway, in the Town of Junius, Seneca County, between exists 41 and 42. That accident came on the heels of another deadly tour bus accident in nearby Steuben County less than a week before. That tour bus departed from New York City and was bound for Niagara Falls. That accident appears to have been caused in part by a blown out tire. I blogged about both those accidents here.
Tour bus accidents, like almost all motor vehicle accidents, are caused most frequently by driver error. Victims have recourse against the negligent driver and his or her employer. In the case of a bus driver error, the driver’s employer and bus owner are liable for any negligence on the part of the driver. In addition, under New York motor vehicle accident law, even if there is no negligence at all, the passengers are all entitled to “no-fault benefits”. This is an automatic benefit available to all passengers of up to $50,000 in medical expenses and lost wages. New York bus accident victims need to consult with a New York bus accident lawyer to process these benefits, and also to claim compensation beyond no-fault for their pain and suffering and other damages against the at-fault driver, employer or vehicle owner.
Keep safe!
Mike Bersani
Email me at: bersani@mbk-law.com I’d love to hear from you!
Michael G. Bersani, Esq.
mbk-law.com
Central NY Bus Accident Lawyer Michaels Bersani Kalabanka
1-315-253-3293