Table of Contents

queens bus accident lawyers

Rated 5.0

Queens Bus Accident Lawyer

out of ( 124 ) Google Reviews

As Seen On

A serious bus accident in Queens can change your life in a flash. One moment you’re heading to work or returning home, the next you’re dealing with injuries, shaken trust, and uncertainty about the future. You might face hospital bills, time away from work, therapy for pain or emotional trauma, and the weight of trying to pick up the pieces while your daily routine has been turned upside-down. 

When you’re in the thick of this, you need someone who stands with you, someone who knows how to fight for your rights and hold the negligent parties responsible for what happened. Our team of seasoned Queens bus accident lawyers at K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C., focuses on the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on recovery. We listen to what you’ve been through, gather evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and push hard to get the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (646) 701-7990 for a free consultation. Let our Queens personal injury attorneys help lift the burden and help you take real steps toward putting your life back on track.

keetick sanchez pic in office

Google Review by

I would like to thank the KL Sánchez group and the lawyer Sanchez, for helping my mother and myself to fight the lawsuit in a car accident which turned out to be favorable to us due to the experience and the good work done. Likewise for Sonita Espinoza, who is the paralegal who assisted me in this almost 2-year process. I highly recommend this defense group for car accident cases, criminal defense, construction falls. Thank you very much and God bless you for your good work. Edwin Morazan.

edwin morazan
2024 plaque award keetick sanchez

Schedule a Free Consultation

(Consulta Gratis)

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

bus accidents differ from regular car accidents

How Bus Accidents Differ from Regular Car Accidents

Being involved in a crash with a bus in Queens feels fundamentally different from a standard car accident, and legally, it is. The difficulty involved with bus accidents stems from the sheer force of the vehicle and the powerful, layered entities involved. Your legal strategy must reflect these four crucial distinctions:

1. Severity of Injuries

When a large bus collides with a smaller vehicle or pedestrian, the results are exponentially worse than a typical fender-bender. First, the size and massive weight of a bus mean the damage and injuries tend to be far more severe. Even at lower speeds, a bus’s mass transfers a tremendous force, which can easily lead to catastrophic injury, permanent disability, or the involvement of multiple victims.

2. Corporate and Driver Negligence

In a typical car collision, you may deal with one other driver’s negligence. In a bus crash, liability is much more layered. You can have the driver, the company that owns the bus, maintenance contractors, and even a transit agency all implicated. This means your lawyer’s investigation and legal strategies must be broader, looking not only at the driver’s actions but also at the corporate negligence of the bus company, such as failure to maintain the vehicle or poor hiring practices.

3. Involvement of Government Entities and Deadlines

The legal rules shift when public transit or government-owned buses (like the MTA) are involved. Because you are dealing with a government agency, you face unique and strict procedural hurdles:

  • Shorter Deadlines: Deadlines are drastically shorter, notice requirements are steeper, and liability may be capped in ways that do not apply to private-car accidents.
  • Unique Evidence: These cases also involve special commercial and municipal regulations, requiring us to secure unique evidence like black box data and mandated maintenance logs.

4. Compensation and Insurance 

Finally, the insurance and compensation side looks different. Because buses often run on commercial or municipal policies, the amounts, negotiation process, and potential defendants run wider and deeper than in a simple passenger car case. Your lawyer must prepare to fight against major commercial insurers or large governmental defense teams whose primary goal is to minimize your claim.

If you’ve been hurt in a bus crash, it’s not the same game as a regular auto wreck, and the approach you take needs to reflect that reality. Let’s talk about how we can help you handle a bus accident claim in Queens.

Google Review by

I just recently had an awesome experience with the team at K L Sanchez law office. The lawyer, Kettick Sanchez, was very professional and knowledgeable throughout the whole process, her assistant Kelly was also great at communicating and helping me with any concerns I had. Would definitely recommend their services due to their high quality of work and passion!

mary o

Why You Need an Experienced Queens Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accident cases aren’t like typical car accidents. In New York, they often involve multiple parties. Each party may have its own insurer, its own version of events, and its own legal team. Having someone who knows the local system can make a major difference.

Queens has some of the busiest streets and transit routes in all of New York City, and that means more frequent bus-related collisions. A local attorney knows how city agencies operate, where to look for evidence, and what local courts expect. You benefit from someone who understands how MTA claims are processed and how New York’s no-fault insurance rules apply to passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.

Having a Queens-based attorney gives you a practical advantage — someone who can act fast, stay close, and keep you informed as your case develops. 

After a bus crash, insurance adjusters may contact you quickly. They often sound helpful but are focused on minimizing payouts. Anything you say could be used to reduce your claim’s value. Your lawyer steps in to handle all communication, making sure you don’t feel pressured into signing a low settlement offer.

Our team can review every offer to confirm it truly covers your medical costs, lost income, and long-term needs. We push back against insurance tactics designed to delay or deny payments, and present strong evidence that highlights the full extent of your injuries and emotional suffering. You deserve to be treated fairly — not rushed into a deal that leaves you struggling later on.

When you’re hurt in a bus accident, you need more than advice; you need someone who will stand up for you from day one. Our dedicated Queens bus accident lawyers at K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. understand how to protect your rights and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Contact us today at (646) 701-7990 to speak with our team. Your recovery starts with one call.

Top-Rated Queens Bus Accident Lawyer – K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C.

keetick l sanchez photo

Keetick L. Sanchez

Keetick L. Sanchez is a lifelong New Yorker committed to advocating for injured individuals throughout Queens and the greater New York City area. As the founding attorney of K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C., she represents clients in courts across all five boroughs, handling administrative, civil, and criminal matters with focus and determination. Before earning her Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law School, Ms. Sanchez worked as a trial litigation paralegal on personal injury cases involving motor vehicle collisions and slip-and-fall accidents.

Following her admission to the bar, she built an extensive background as a litigator, successfully investigating and prosecuting hundreds of personal injury cases, including complex bus and transit-related claims. Ms. Sanchez is recognized for her tenacious approach to litigation and her unwavering dedication to securing fair compensation for her clients. She continues to apply that same drive to protecting victims of serious bus accidents and holding negligent drivers, companies, and public agencies accountable. Ms. Sanchez is admitted to practice law in all boroughs of New York City and in the State of Texas.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Queens

Queens’ streets are constantly packed with city buses, school buses, and private coaches. With so much traffic, it only takes one careless moment or overlooked safety step to cause a devastating crash. Knowing what often leads to these accidents helps you see who may be at fault and how your lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation under New York law.

Driver Negligence and Fatigue

Bus drivers have a huge responsibility. When they’re careless, exhausted, or simply in a rush to stay on schedule, it can lead to tragic results. In many cases, driver negligence includes running red lights, speeding through intersections, or failing to yield to pedestrians. Fatigue is another frequent factor, especially during long shifts or double routes.

New York law requires all drivers, including those working for the MTA and private companies, to operate safely and with reasonable care. If a driver’s inattention or exhaustion caused your injuries, that can form the basis of a strong liability claim.

Distracted or Reckless Driving

Bus drivers must focus entirely on the road but distractions still happen. Checking a phone, adjusting controls, or even talking to passengers can divert a driver’s attention for just a second. That single second is often enough to cause a collision.

Reckless driving also plays a role in many Queens bus accidents. This may include:

  • Speeding to make up lost time
  • Following vehicles too closely
  • Making unsafe lane changes or turns

These behaviors violate New York’s traffic laws and demonstrate disregard for passenger safety. When a bus driver acts recklessly, both they and their employer can be held accountable.

Poor Bus Maintenance and Mechanical Failures

Every bus must be properly maintained to remain safe for passengers and others on the road. Unfortunately, some operators skip regular inspections or delay repairs to save money. Worn brakes, tire blowouts, steering problems, or malfunctioning lights can quickly lead to catastrophe.

Under New York law, both private companies and government agencies like the MTA have a duty to keep their fleets in working condition. When that duty is ignored, they can be held liable for accidents caused by preventable mechanical failures.

Unsafe Road or Weather Conditions

Queens sees its fair share of unpredictable weather, heavy rain, snow, and ice, all of which increase the risk of crashes. While bus drivers can’t control the weather, they are still required to adjust their driving to match the conditions. That means slowing down, leaving more space between vehicles, and being extra alert near intersections or bus stops.

If a driver or bus company failed to take reasonable precautions in bad weather, their negligence may still make them responsible under New York’s standard of care for safe operation.

Negligence by Bus Companies or Municipal Agencies

Bus companies and city agencies set the tone for safety. When they hire unqualified drivers, skip training, or fail to enforce rest periods, accidents become more likely. Some agencies also cut corners on maintenance or ignore repeated safety complaints from riders.

When someone’s carelessness causes a bus crash, you shouldn’t be left dealing with the consequences alone. Our dedicated Queens bus accident lawyers at K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. know how to uncover the true cause of the accident and hold every negligent party responsible.

Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation, let a skilled legal team review your case and start working toward the justice and compensation you deserve.

Schedule a Free Consultation

(Consulta Gratis)

Google Review by

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident was tough, but having this Keetick by my side made all the difference. Her skill in the courtroom and compassion during my recovery period were more than I could have asked for. Truly the best in Queens.

yanay perera reves

ABOGADOS QUE HABLAN ESPAÑOL!

Schedule a Free Consultation

(Consulta Gratis)

queens bus accident lawyers keetick sanchez gmb

Bus Collision Categories and Your Legal Rights in Queens

As a Queens resident, you encounter all sorts of buses daily, and each type of bus accident may present a slightly different set of legal requirements and responsible parties under New York law. 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates many of the buses you see across Queens, and collisions involving them are governed by a different set of rules because the MTA is a governmental entity. After a bus accident, dealing with a public agency such as the MTA is significantly more complicated than a private insurance claim.

  • You must file a formal Notice of Claim with the MTA, which is a mandatory pre-lawsuit step that must be completed within 90 days of the accident.
  • Missing this extremely short deadline can forfeit your right to recover damages, no matter how badly you were hurt.
  • The overall statute of limitations, or the final deadline to file a lawsuit, is also shorter against the MTA; only one year and 90 days from the accident date, compared to the typical three years for other personal injury claims.

Concurrent to the 90-day timeline, New York’s No-Fault system requires you to submit an Application for No-Fault Benefits (PIP) within 30 days of the accident. This claim is necessary to get basic economic benefits like coverage for your initial medical bills and lost wages. For MTA bus accidents, this claim is typically made through your own auto insurance (if you or a resident relative owns a car); otherwise, the MTA or another involved vehicle’s insurer may cover it. Missing this 30-day window can jeopardize your immediate coverage for economic losses.

When an MTA bus driver’s negligence causes an accident, their employer, the MTA, can be held financially liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They have a duty to keep their passengers safe, but also to operate their buses safely around all other vehicles and pedestrians in the busy Queens streets.

School bus accidents are incredibly distressing, particularly when your child is involved, but the potential parties you can pursue for damages can vary depending on who operates the bus. Often, the liability rests with the school bus driver or the private bus company contracted by the school district.

  • If the school bus is operated by a public school district in Queens, your claim will fall under the same strict and accelerated time limits as an MTA claim, requiring a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
  • If the bus is operated by a private transportation company under contract, the process is generally governed by the standard three-year statute of limitations for negligence claims, though you might still name the school district if their actions, such as negligent hiring or training, contributed to the crash.


The priority here is determining whether a public or private entity is at fault, as that dramatically impacts your filing deadlines. Students, other drivers, or pedestrians injured by a negligent school bus operator all have grounds for a claim.

Private bus companies, like those running charter trips, sightseeing tours, or inter-city travel, are purely commercial entities, making the legal process for a crash claim follow the standard personal injury framework in New York. You will generally have the full three years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit.

  • Liability often falls to the bus company for the negligence of their driver under the principle of respondeat superior.
  • Beyond the driver, the company itself can be held accountable if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle or pressured their drivers to work dangerously long hours, leading to a collision.
  • Furthermore, if a part of the bus, such as a tire or brakes, was defective and caused the crash, you might be able to pursue a claim against the manufacturer of that part.


These carriers owe a high duty of care to their paying passengers and to others on the road, and when they fail in that duty, you have a right to seek compensation.

Shuttle buses, whether they service the local area, transport people between parking lots and JFK or LaGuardia airports, or carry employees for a large company, present another unique category. The legal avenue for your claim hinges on the bus’s ownership.

  • If the shuttle is owned and operated by a private business, such as a hotel or a corporate entity, your claim will proceed against that company and the driver under the standard New York three-year statute of limitations.
  • If the shuttle is affiliated with a public agency or the Port Authority, you may face the same Notice of Claim requirement and short deadlines that apply to the MTA.


We have to determine precisely who owned and controlled the bus at the time of the collision, because that distinction dictates the strict procedural timeline you must follow to preserve your rights.

After a devastating bus accident in Queens, your focus should be on your physical recovery. Our seasoned Queens Bus Accident Lawyer from K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. knows precisely which entity to pursue, the critical 90-day and one-year-ninety-day deadlines you face against government agencies, and how to build a rock-solid case demonstrating negligence. Don’t let these procedural rules risk your financial future; call us today so we can immediately preserve your claim and begin fighting for the full compensation you deserve.

Bus Collision Category Potentially Liable Party Key Legal Deadlines and Rules
MTA and City Bus Accidents Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident. Lawsuit deadline is one year and 90 days. No-Fault (PIP) application must be submitted within 30 days.
School Bus Collisions Public school district, private bus company, or school bus driver Publicly operated school buses require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Privately operated buses generally follow the three-year statute of limitations.
Private Charter and Tour Bus Crashes Private bus company, driver, or parts manufacturer Standard New York personal injury rules apply. Lawsuit must generally be filed within three years of the accident.
Shuttle and Airport Bus Accidents Private business, Port Authority, or other public agency Privately owned shuttles follow the three-year statute of limitations. Public agency involvement may require a 90-day Notice of Claim and shorter deadlines.

Google Review by

The legal office of Lawyer K L Sánchez, provided us with an excellent service with very qualified personnel, Lawyer Sánchez is a very professional, very qualified and very responsible person, in the same way Ms. Yenny is a very professional and qualified person, they They show interest and concern for your case and do not rest until it is 100% resolved, which I certainly recommend. For my part you have my gratitude and thanks.

horus garay

Determining Liability in a Queens Bus Accident

After a serious bus accident in Queens, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out who’s truly responsible for your injuries. In many cases, more than one party played a role. Holding each accountable is key to recovering the full compensation you’re entitled to under New York law.

Identifying All Responsible Parties

Bus accidents often involve several layers of responsibility. It’s not always just the driver at fault. Others may have contributed through poor decisions or failed oversight.

Your lawyer can investigate every possible source of liability, such as:

  • The bus driver for negligent or reckless actions
  • The MTA or private bus company for unsafe operations or poor training
  • Mechanics or maintenance providers for faulty repairs
  • Other motorists or pedestrians who caused or worsened the crash

Each party may have its own insurance policy and defense strategy, which makes identifying every responsible individual or organization essential to securing full compensation for your injuries.

Employer and Third-Party Contractor Negligence

In many cases, the driver isn’t the only one at fault. Employers and contractors may also bear responsibility when they fail to follow safety rules or properly supervise their drivers.

Common examples include:

  • Inadequate driver training
  • Poorly enforced rest schedules
  • Neglecting to review safety or maintenance records

Under New York law, employers can be held vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence while performing job-related duties. This means the company that hired the driver or the contractor responsible for repairs could share financial responsibility for your losses.

Comparative Fault and Shared Responsibility Under New York Law

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation can still be recovered even if you’re found partly at fault for the accident. However, your total award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re found 10% at fault, you would still receive $90,000. This system aims to distribute financial accountability fairly across all parties involved. Your attorney’s job is to present strong evidence showing the other parties’ greater share of responsibility, protecting the value of your claim.

Proving liability after a bus accident in Queens takes skill, timing, and careful investigation. Our experienced attorneys at K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. know how to uncover every layer of fault and hold negligent drivers, companies, and agencies accountable.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let our skilled Queens bus accident lawyers fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. One conversation can make all the difference in your recovery.

Call for a free case review

(Consulta Gratis)

Google Review by

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I will give more than 5 stars if I could! They are really so helpful and knowledgable. The team always made sure our case was up to date, especially YENNY. She’s one of a kind! She’s always there when I need her! So polite and so kind. We are so grateful to Attorney Sanchez and her team for winning our case!!! Thank you so much K L Sanchez Law Office!

alex vicquierra

Schedule a Free Consultation

(Consulta Gratis)

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Ready to Fight for Your Recovery? Your Next Step is With Us.

You’ve been through a traumatic event, and now you face a legal battle against parties that are already trying to minimize what they owe you. That simply isn’t fair. 

At K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C., our focus is on building your strongest possible case, from securing the critical video and maintenance logs before they disappear, to systematically investigating every detail of the crash. We take on the bus company’s defense tactics, proving their negligence so you can focus entirely on healing.

We meticulously calculate the full extent of your losses, including every medical bill, every lost paycheck, and all of the pain and suffering this accident has caused you. Our team stands ready to fight for the compensation you deserve and guide you through this entire process.

Don’t let vital evidence vanish or a critical legal deadline pass you by. Your opportunity to secure justice and full financial recovery begins right now.

Call K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. today at (646) 701-7990 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us start the work of building your strong case immediately, so you can move forward with your life. You deserve justice, and we are here to help you get it.

k l sanchez team

Google Review by

I had a really good experience working with my lawyer Keetick Sanchez. She greatly helped me through a stressful time in my life and made the whole process go very smooth. Ms. Sanchez’s paralegal Sonia Espinoza was always available and took the time to answer all of my questions. Neither of them ever rushed me through anything, rather they provided me with thoughtful support and advice.

mina horn