Long Island
Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus Accident Attorney on Long Island

Long Island Bus Accident Lawyer

Every day, hundreds of thousands of Long Island residents board buses operated by the MTA, NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express), Suffolk County Transit, school districts, and private charter companies. Buses move through some of the most congested corridors on the island — Hempstead Turnpike, Route 110, Sunrise Highway, and dozens of residential neighborhoods. When a collision involves a vehicle that weighs 25,000 to 40,000 pounds, the physics are unforgiving. Passengers inside the bus are thrown from their seats. Pedestrians are struck with catastrophic force. Occupants of smaller vehicles are crushed.

Bus accidents present legal challenges that go far beyond a standard car accident claim. Government-operated buses require Notice of Claim filings within 90 days. The common carrier doctrine imposes a heightened duty of care that changes the negligence analysis entirely. Multiple liable parties — the driver, the transit authority, the municipality, the bus manufacturer — create layered claims that demand aggressive, experienced legal representation.

At the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, our personal injury attorneys have spent 24 years handling complex accident cases across Nassau County and Suffolk County. We understand the procedural hurdles of government claims, the legal advantages of the common carrier doctrine, and how to investigate and litigate bus accident cases from the first phone call through trial.

If you or a family member was injured in a bus accident anywhere on Long Island, call (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. Time is critical — especially if a government entity operates the bus.

Bus Accident Statistics: Long Island and New York

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 60,000 bus accidents occur annually in the United States, resulting in roughly 14,000 injuries and 270 fatalities. While buses are statistically safer per passenger mile than private vehicles, the sheer size and weight of a bus means that when accidents do happen, the injuries tend to be severe — particularly for pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles involved in the collision.

New York State sees a disproportionate share of bus accidents due to its extensive public transit infrastructure. The MTA alone operates the largest bus fleet in North America, with over 5,700 buses making approximately 666 million passenger trips per year across New York City and portions of Long Island. MTA buses are involved in thousands of collisions annually, including hundreds that result in passenger and pedestrian injuries. NICE Bus, which took over Nassau County’s public bus system in 2012, operates 37 fixed routes across Nassau County, serving millions of riders each year and traversing some of the most congested intersections on Long Island.

Suffolk County Transit, the public bus system serving Suffolk County, operates 20+ routes covering approximately 1,500 square miles of territory. School bus accidents add another layer — New York transports approximately 2.3 million students on school buses daily, and Long Island’s hundreds of school districts contract with private carriers to cover routes across both counties. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data shows that school-bus-related crashes injure thousands of children and bystanders annually, with the majority of fatalities occurring outside the bus during loading and unloading.

These numbers make clear that bus accidents are not rare events on Long Island. They are a recurring reality of the region’s transportation system — and the injuries they cause demand serious legal attention.

Types of Bus Accidents on Long Island

Bus accidents on Long Island take many forms, each presenting distinct liability theories and evidentiary challenges. The type of bus, the operating entity, and the circumstances of the crash all affect how the case is investigated and litigated.

MTA and NICE Bus Crashes

Public transit bus accidents are the most procedurally complex bus accident claims on Long Island. MTA buses serving eastern Queens and portions of western Nassau County, along with NICE Bus routes throughout Nassau County, are involved in collisions caused by driver error, mechanical failure, and hazardous road conditions. Because these are government-operated systems, claims require Notice of Claim filings within 90 days and must navigate the specific procedural requirements of the Public Authorities Law and General Municipal Law.

School Bus Accidents

School bus accidents on Long Island involve both district-operated buses and buses operated by private carriers under contract. Children are particularly vulnerable because most school buses lack seatbelts, relying on compartmentalization for protection. School bus accidents during loading and unloading — when children are crossing the street or standing near the bus — account for the majority of school-bus-related fatalities nationwide. Claims against school districts require a 90-day Notice of Claim; claims against private carriers follow standard negligence timelines.

Charter and Tour Bus Accidents

Long Island’s wineries, beaches, casinos, and entertainment venues generate heavy charter and tour bus traffic, particularly from spring through fall. Charter bus companies are regulated by the FMCSA and must comply with federal hours-of-service rules, vehicle inspection requirements, and driver qualification standards. When charter bus operators cut corners on maintenance, push drivers past legal hours limits, or hire unqualified drivers, passengers pay the price. Charter bus rollover accidents are among the most devastating — high center of gravity combined with excessive speed on curves produces catastrophic multi-injury crashes.

Private Shuttle and Commuter Bus Accidents

Private shuttle services operating between Long Island communities, train stations, and employment centers add to the bus accident landscape. These vehicles range from full-size buses to passenger vans, and their operators may or may not carry adequate insurance coverage. Casino buses, airport shuttles, hotel shuttles, and corporate commuter buses all fall into this category. Liability depends on the operator’s status as a common carrier, the adequacy of their insurance, and whether the driver was operating within the scope of employment.

Pedestrians Struck by Buses

Pedestrian accidents involving buses are among the most catastrophic on Long Island. The size and weight of a bus — 25,000 to 40,000 pounds — means that even a low-speed impact can cause fatal or permanently disabling injuries. Pedestrians are struck at bus stops, crosswalks, and intersections where buses make wide turns with significant blind spots. The common carrier doctrine heightens the bus operator’s duty to watch for and protect pedestrians in the bus’s operating zone.

Passenger Falls Inside the Bus

Not all bus accident injuries result from collisions with other vehicles. Passengers are frequently injured when a bus driver brakes suddenly, accelerates aggressively, or takes a turn too sharply. Standing passengers, elderly riders, and passengers moving through the aisle are particularly vulnerable. These incidents may not generate a police accident report, making it critical to document the event and identify witnesses immediately. The common carrier doctrine imposes liability on the bus operator for failing to operate the vehicle in a manner that protects passengers from foreseeable harm.

Bus vs. Car Collisions

When a bus collides with a passenger vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle bear the brunt of the impact. The mass differential between a 4,000-pound car and a 35,000-pound bus means the car absorbs almost all of the crash energy. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are common in these collisions, particularly when the bus strikes the side of a car at an intersection.

Bus Rollover Accidents

Buses have a high center of gravity that makes them susceptible to rollovers, particularly charter and tour buses traveling at highway speed. Rollover accidents are among the deadliest bus crash types because unrestrained passengers are thrown inside the vehicle, colliding with seats, windows, and each other. Causes include excessive speed on curves, tire blowouts, driver overcorrection, and top-heavy loading.

Whatever type of bus accident you were involved in, call (516) 750-0595 for a free case evaluation from an experienced Long Island bus accident attorney.

Common Carrier Doctrine: Heightened Duty of Care

One of the most significant legal advantages in a bus accident case is the common carrier doctrine. Under New York law, any entity that transports the public for compensation — including the MTA, NICE Bus, Suffolk County Transit, school bus operators, and charter bus companies — is classified as a common carrier and owes its passengers the highest degree of care.

This is a substantially higher standard than the ordinary negligence duty of reasonable care that applies to regular drivers in a car accident. Under the common carrier standard, the bus operator must exercise extraordinary vigilance to protect passengers from harm. This means:

• The driver must operate the bus with the utmost caution, including safe speeds, smooth braking, and careful turns
• The bus company must properly maintain the vehicle, inspecting brakes, tires, steering, and safety equipment on schedule
• The operator must adequately train and supervise drivers, including screening for substance abuse and monitoring fatigue
• The carrier must provide safe boarding and alighting conditions for passengers
• The operator must take reasonable steps to protect passengers from foreseeable dangers, including the actions of other passengers

The practical effect is that establishing negligence in a bus accident case is often more straightforward than in a standard car accident. A sudden stop that injures a standing passenger, a failure to maintain brakes that contributes to a collision, or a driver’s failure to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk — each of these can constitute a breach of the common carrier’s heightened duty.

If you were a passenger on a bus when you were injured, the common carrier doctrine works in your favor. Call (516) 750-0595 to discuss how this legal advantage applies to your specific case.

Who Is Liable for a Bus Accident?

Bus accidents frequently involve multiple liable parties, each with distinct legal obligations and insurance coverage. Identifying every responsible party is critical to maximizing your recovery. Potential defendants in a Long Island bus accident case include:

• The bus driver — negligent driving, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, failure to yield, running red lights, excessive speed, and aggressive braking all create direct driver liability
• The bus company or transit authority — the MTA, NICE Bus, Suffolk County Transit, or private bus operator can be liable under respondeat superior (employer liability for employee actions) and for their own negligence in hiring, training, supervising, and maintaining the fleet
• The school district — districts that operate their own buses or contract with private carriers remain responsible for the safe transportation of students
• The charter or private bus company — charter operators must comply with FMCSA regulations covering driver hours of service, vehicle inspections, and driver qualifications
• The municipality — if a road defect, missing signage, malfunctioning traffic signal, or dangerous intersection design contributed to the accident, the municipality responsible for road maintenance may bear liability under premises liability principles
• Other drivers — a car, truck, or motorcycle that caused the bus to crash creates liability against that third-party driver and their insurer
• The bus manufacturer or parts supplier — if a defective component — brakes, tires, steering system, door mechanism — caused or contributed to the accident, products liability claims apply against the manufacturer
• The maintenance company — third-party contractors responsible for bus maintenance and inspection can be liable for negligent repair work that leads to mechanical failure

We investigate every potential defendant and insurance policy to ensure you recover the maximum compensation available. Call (516) 750-0595 to start the investigation.

Government Claims: Notice of Claim Requirements

The most critical procedural issue in any bus accident case involving a government entity is the 90-day Notice of Claim deadline under General Municipal Law §50-e. This applies to accidents involving MTA buses, NICE Bus, Suffolk County Transit, public school buses, and any bus operated by a municipality or public authority.

The Notice of Claim must be served on the correct government entity and must contain specific information: the nature of the claim, the time and place the claim arose, the injuries sustained, and the damages sought. Errors in the notice — serving the wrong entity, omitting required details, or missing the deadline — can result in dismissal of your case.

MTA Bus Accident Claims

MTA bus accident claims are governed by the Public Authorities Law. The MTA is a public benefit corporation, and claims against it follow specific procedures that differ from claims against a municipality. The Notice of Claim must be filed with the correct MTA subsidiary — MTA Bus Company, New York City Transit Authority, or Long Island Bus (now NICE) — within 90 days. Lawsuits are typically filed in Supreme Court or the Court of Claims depending on the specific MTA entity involved.

NICE Bus Claims

NICE Bus is operated by Transdev under contract with Nassau County. Claims may need to be filed against both the private operator (Transdev) and Nassau County, depending on the nature of the negligence. The 90-day Notice of Claim applies to the county government component. Our attorneys navigate these dual-track claims to ensure no deadline is missed and no liable party escapes responsibility.

School District Claims

Notice of Claim must be filed with the school district within 90 days if a district-operated or district-contracted school bus is involved. The school district’s clerk or board of education is typically the proper party to receive the notice. School bus accident claims also involve the potential application of governmental immunity doctrines, which an experienced attorney can navigate.

Late Filing Petitions

If you missed the 90-day deadline, all is not necessarily lost. Under General Municipal Law §50-e(5), courts have discretion to grant leave to file a late Notice of Claim. Factors the court considers include whether the public entity acquired actual knowledge of the essential facts within 90 days, whether the claimant had a reasonable excuse for the delay, and whether the delay substantially prejudiced the government entity’s ability to defend the claim. However, late filing petitions are difficult to win, and the outcome is never guaranteed — which is why contacting an attorney immediately after a bus accident is so important.

Don’t let a procedural deadline destroy your bus accident claim. Call (516) 750-0595 now — we can prepare and file your Notice of Claim promptly.

Dangerous Bus Routes and Locations on Long Island

Bus accidents cluster on specific Long Island corridors where traffic volume, road design, and pedestrian activity create high-risk conditions. If your accident occurred at one of these locations, the area’s history of bus-related incidents strengthens your case.

Nassau County: NICE Bus Routes

• Hempstead Bus Terminal — the central hub of the NICE Bus system, where multiple routes converge. Heavy pedestrian traffic, frequent bus movements, and congested surrounding streets make this one of the highest-risk locations for bus-related accidents in Nassau County
• Route N1/N2 along Hempstead Turnpike — these high-frequency routes run through some of the most congested commercial corridors in Nassau County, with frequent stops, turning vehicles, and pedestrian crossings at nearly every block
• Route N4 along Jerusalem Avenue — connecting Hempstead to Massapequa, this route passes through dense residential and commercial areas with limited pedestrian infrastructure
• Route N6 along Sunrise Highway — merging bus traffic with high-speed vehicle traffic along this major commercial artery creates collision risks at every stop
• Mineola and Hicksville transit hubs — bus-to-rail transfer points with heavy pedestrian activity, tight turning radii, and limited bus staging areas

Suffolk County: Suffolk County Transit Routes

• Route 110 Corridor (Amityville to Huntington) — one of the busiest north-south corridors on Long Island, with heavy commercial traffic, narrow lanes in sections, and buses competing with trucks and passenger vehicles for limited road space. The Huntington Station area along Route 110 is particularly congested during commute hours
• Huntington Station — a major transit hub where Suffolk County Transit and private shuttle services converge near the LIRR station. Narrow streets, heavy pedestrian activity, and frequent bus stops create persistent collision risks
• Route S1 along Route 112 — connecting Patchogue to Port Jefferson, this route traverses a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial zones with inconsistent pedestrian infrastructure
• Patchogue and Bay Shore transit centers — high-volume bus stops near LIRR stations with significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic

School Bus Hot Spots

• School zones across both counties — particularly during morning drop-off (7:00–8:30 AM) and afternoon pick-up (2:30–4:00 PM), when buses make frequent stops and children are crossing streets
• Major intersections near elementary and middle schools — where drivers violate school bus stop-arm laws at alarming rates
• Residential streets without sidewalks — common in suburban Suffolk County, where children must walk in the roadway to reach bus stops

If you were injured at any of these locations, call (516) 750-0595 immediately. The location of your accident can significantly strengthen your claim.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Bus accidents produce a distinctive pattern of injuries driven by two factors: the mass of the vehicle and the lack of passenger restraints. Most public transit buses and school buses do not have seatbelts, and standing passengers have no protection beyond a handrail. When a collision or sudden stop occurs, passengers are thrown into seats, poles, other passengers, and the bus interior with tremendous force.

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — passengers who strike their heads on seats, poles, windows, or the bus floor during a collision or sudden stop can sustain concussions, contusions, diffuse axonal injury, and subdural hematomas. TBI is the leading cause of long-term disability in bus accident victims.
• Spinal cord injuries — the violent forces of a bus collision can damage vertebrae, herniate discs, and injure the spinal cord itself, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis
• Broken bones and fractures — fractured ribs, arms, legs, wrists, and pelvic bones are among the most common bus accident injuries, particularly for standing passengers and pedestrians struck by buses
• Internal organ damage — blunt force trauma from being thrown inside the bus can rupture the spleen, liver, or kidneys and cause life-threatening internal hemorrhaging
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries — sudden deceleration forces cause neck and back injuries that can produce chronic pain and long-term disability
• Shoulder and knee injuries — passengers bracing for impact or being thrown laterally sustain torn rotator cuffs, ACL tears, and meniscus damage requiring surgical repair
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — the psychological impact of a bus accident — particularly for children in school bus crashes — can produce lasting anxiety, sleep disturbances, and avoidance behaviors that significantly diminish quality of life
• Child injuries in school bus accidents — children are particularly susceptible to head and neck injuries because their bodies are still developing. The absence of seatbelts on most school buses means children are especially vulnerable during rollovers and side-impact collisions

Bus accident injuries often require emergency trauma care at facilities like Nassau University Medical Center, Stony Brook University Hospital, or North Shore University Hospital. If you or a loved one is being treated for bus accident injuries, contact our office immediately at (516) 750-0595 — early legal involvement protects critical evidence and preserves your rights.

New York Bus Safety Laws and Regulations

Bus operators on Long Island are subject to an extensive framework of federal, state, and local regulations governing vehicle safety, driver qualifications, and operational standards. Violations of these regulations are powerful evidence of negligence in a bus accident case.

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL)

The VTL contains specific provisions for bus operations. VTL §1174 governs the school bus stop-arm law, making it a violation for any driver to pass a school bus while its red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended. VTL §375 sets vehicle equipment standards, including braking, lighting, and mirror requirements for buses. VTL §509 establishes bus driver licensing requirements, including the requirement for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA)

Charter bus companies, intercity bus operators, and private carriers operating in interstate commerce must comply with FMCSA regulations. These include hours-of-service rules (49 CFR Part 395) limiting driving time to prevent fatigue-related crashes, vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements (49 CFR Part 396), driver qualification standards (49 CFR Part 391) including medical fitness determinations and background checks, and drug and alcohol testing requirements (49 CFR Part 382). Violations of FMCSA regulations are admissible evidence of negligence per se in New York courts.

DOT Inspection Requirements

Commercial buses must pass periodic DOT safety inspections. New York requires annual inspections, and federal law requires pre-trip and post-trip inspections by the driver. Failure to conduct inspections, or operating a bus with known defects, is strong evidence of negligence by the bus operator.

CDL and Driver Qualification Requirements

All bus drivers must hold a valid CDL with a passenger (P) endorsement. School bus drivers additionally need an (S) endorsement and must pass background checks, fingerprinting, and physical examinations. Hiring a driver without proper credentials, or failing to monitor driver violations and medical fitness, creates direct liability against the bus company or school district for negligent hiring and supervision.

Compensation Available in Bus Accident Cases

Bus accident victims can recover the full spectrum of damages under New York law. The common carrier doctrine, which applies to most bus accident cases, strengthens the plaintiff’s position on liability and can support enhanced damage awards. Recoverable damages include:

• Medical expenses — emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, prosthetics, and projected future medical costs for ongoing treatment
• Lost wages and earning capacity — income lost during recovery and long-term reduction in earning ability if the injury prevents returning to your prior occupation or working at full capacity
• Pain and suffering — physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, disfigurement, and the diminished quality of life caused by the accident and resulting injuries
• Loss of enjoyment of life — inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed, restrictions on daily living, and loss of independence
• Wrongful death damages — when a bus accident results in death, surviving family members can recover funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance (for children), and loss of consortium
• Long-term care and life care planning — for catastrophic injuries requiring ongoing assistance, a life care plan projects the total cost of future medical care, home modifications, assistive devices, and personal care attendants

New York does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Government transit agencies like the MTA carry substantial insurance or self-insure, meaning coverage limits are rarely an obstacle in serious bus accident cases. Use our settlement calculator for a preliminary estimate of your bus accident case value.

To discuss the full value of your bus accident claim, call (516) 750-0595 for a free, no-obligation case assessment.

How We Handle Bus Accident Claims

Bus accident cases demand a different investigative and litigation approach than standard vehicle accident claims. Multiple potential defendants, government claim deadlines, common carrier liability analysis, and the need to preserve critical evidence all require immediate, aggressive action. Here is how we handle these cases:

• Immediate evidence preservation — buses are equipped with surveillance cameras, GPS tracking, and event data recorders. This evidence is routinely overwritten or destroyed in the ordinary course of business unless a legal preservation demand is served promptly. We send spoliation letters to the bus company, transit authority, or school district within days of the accident to ensure this evidence is preserved.
• Driver records investigation — we obtain the bus driver’s CDL records, employment history, training records, drug and alcohol testing results, prior complaints, and any history of accidents or moving violations. A pattern of reckless behavior or inadequate training supports claims against both the driver and the employer.
• Maintenance record analysis — we subpoena the bus’s maintenance history, inspection logs, and repair records. Deferred maintenance, missed inspections, or known defects that were not addressed establish negligence by the bus company and potentially by the maintenance contractor.
• Notice of Claim filing — for government entity claims, we prepare and serve the Notice of Claim within the 90-day deadline, ensuring it is served on the correct entity with all required information. We also initiate 50-h hearings — pre-litigation depositions required by government defendants — and prepare our clients thoroughly for this testimony.
• Expert consultation — we retain accident reconstruction engineers, biomechanical experts, medical specialists, and life care planners to establish how the accident occurred, the mechanics of the injuries, and the full cost of present and future damages.
• Litigation and trial preparation — we prepare every bus accident case for trial in Nassau County or Suffolk County Supreme Court. Thorough trial preparation is what moves settlement numbers — insurance companies and government lawyers know the difference between an attorney who bluffs and one who will actually try the case.

Ready to start your bus accident case? Call (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. We respond within minutes.

Why Hire Jason Tenenbaum for Your Bus Accident Case

Jason has handled complex accident cases involving government entities, common carriers, and multi-party litigation since 2002. His practice across Nassau and Suffolk County courts gives him deep familiarity with the procedural requirements that derail bus accident claims when handled by less experienced attorneys.

Government claims expertise is central to how we handle bus accident cases. Jason has prepared and filed hundreds of Notices of Claim against municipalities, school districts, and public authorities across Long Island. He understands the nuances of the Court of Claims Act, the Public Authorities Law, and the General Municipal Law provisions that govern claims against the MTA, NICE Bus, Suffolk County Transit, and public school districts. He has successfully navigated 50-h hearings and defeated governmental immunity defenses.

Jason handles every case personally from the initial consultation through settlement or trial. He writes his own briefs, takes his own depositions, and argues his own motions. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you — that’s the contingency fee guarantee.

Local Trauma Centers for Bus Accident Victims

Severe bus accident injuries require immediate treatment at a Level I or Level II trauma center. Long Island’s major trauma facilities equipped to handle the injuries commonly seen in bus accidents include:

• Nassau University Medical Center (East Meadow) — the only Level I trauma center in Nassau County, equipped with full surgical, neurological, and orthopedic trauma capabilities
• Stony Brook University Hospital (Stony Brook) — a Level I trauma center serving central and eastern Suffolk County with comprehensive emergency and critical care services
• South Shore University Hospital (Bay Shore) — a Level II trauma center serving southern Suffolk County, with emergency surgical and neurosurgical capabilities
• North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset) — a Level I trauma center serving northern Nassau County and western Long Island, with one of the busiest emergency departments in the region

If you or a family member has been transported to any of these facilities after a bus accident, contact our office at (516) 750-0595 as soon as possible. Early attorney involvement ensures that critical evidence — bus camera footage, driver logs, maintenance records — is preserved while medical teams focus on stabilization and treatment.

School Bus Accidents: Special Considerations

School bus accident cases on Long Island involve a unique intersection of government liability, child protection standards, and heightened public concern. Long Island’s hundreds of school districts transport tens of thousands of students daily, and the legal framework governing these cases is distinct from other bus accident claims.

School District Liability and Governmental Immunity

School districts are government entities, and claims against them are subject to the 90-day Notice of Claim requirement under General Municipal Law §50-e. School districts may assert governmental immunity as a defense, arguing that certain decisions — such as route planning or bus stop placement — are discretionary functions protected from liability. However, courts have consistently held that the actual operation of a school bus is a proprietary function to which governmental immunity does not apply. The district’s duty to safely transport students is non-delegable, meaning the district remains liable even when it contracts with a private bus company.

The No-Seatbelt Issue

New York law does not require seatbelts on large school buses (over 10,000 pounds). The industry relies on “compartmentalization” — closely spaced, high-backed, energy-absorbing seats designed to contain children during a frontal or rear-end collision. However, compartmentalization does not protect children in rollover accidents, side impacts, or when the child is standing, moving in the aisle, or improperly seated. The absence of seatbelts is a significant factor in the severity of school bus accident injuries, particularly for children in rollover crashes.

Loading and Unloading Zone Accidents

The most dangerous moments in school bus transportation occur during loading and unloading. According to NHTSA data, more school-age children are killed by passing motorists during loading and unloading than in crashes involving the school bus itself. New York’s school bus stop-arm law (VTL §1174) makes it a violation for any driver to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, in either direction. Drivers who violate this law and strike a child face both criminal and civil liability. The school bus driver and school district may also bear liability if the driver failed to activate the stop arm, selected an unsafe stop location, or failed to ensure children crossed safely.

Pursuing Claims for Child Injuries

Claims for injured children are subject to special procedural rules. Under CPLR §1201, a parent or guardian must bring the action as the child’s legal representative. The statute of limitations is generally tolled for minors under the “infancy toll,” but the 90-day Notice of Claim deadline is not tolled for infants — it must be filed within 90 days regardless of the child’s age. Any settlement must be approved by the court in an “infant compromise” proceeding to ensure the child’s interests are protected.

If your child was injured in a school bus accident on Long Island, call (516) 750-0595 immediately. The 90-day Notice of Claim deadline applies even for children’s claims, and we need to act fast to preserve your child’s rights.