15 People Injured in Queens School Bus Crash

Six Adults, Nine Children Injured in Queens School Bus Accident on the Long Island Expressway by Grand Central Parkway

QUEENS, NEW YORK (April 23, 2026) – At least 15 people were injured in a Queens school bus accident on the Long Island Expressway at Grand Central Parkway near 108th Street.

New York City officials are saying that the collision took place around 1:26 PM on Wednesday afternoon. A school bus was heading down the roadway when it was involved in a collision.

It remains unclear if the school bus hit another vehicle. Paramedics were called to the scene to help all of the victims.

Six adults and nine children were taken to local area hospitals to receive treatment. A full investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Queens School Bus Accidents

School buses are considered common carriers. Their drivers must operate with a great deal of care to avoid causing harm to passengers. This requires that school bus drivers maintain a safe speed at all times. According to NY Veh & Traf L § 1180, “No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.” Several factors could contribute to any school bus crash.

• Blind Spots: A school bus driver may fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes on the roadway.
• Distracted Driving: A school bus driver may have been distracted by their phone or GPS.
• Fatigue: A school bus driver may have been fatigued after staying awake for an extended period of time.

If a school bus driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with other vehicles, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Liability for a school bus crash could extend beyond one specific driver determined to be at fault. The private employer or municipal entity a school bus driver was working for could also be liable. As a general rule, employers can be liable for the negligent conduct of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.

Steps to Take After Queens School Bus Accidents

School buses are typically considered very safe for passengers. But a number of people are still injured or killed in preventable collisions with school buses each year. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 128 people nationwide in 2023, up 23% compared to the 104 deaths in 2022, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” Several actions should be taken after any school bus crash.

• The police should be called as early as possible so that they can begin an investigation.
• Victims should seek medical treatment, even if they feel mostly alright. Many injuries associated with the school bus crash will not be immediately obvious.
• All of the evidence associated with the crash should be preserved. This includes photos of the accident site.
• Victims should consider their legal options with an experienced school bus accident attorney.

School bus crashes tend to be very preventable. They may involve liability on more than one party. Any person injured in a school bus accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a personal injury claim. Damages in a personal injury claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. A New York City bus accident attorney can examine the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating Queens School Bus Accidents

We at GLK Law extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Queens school bus crash. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have information about what happened should reach out to the NYPD. Many questions have yet to be answered. What was the speed of the bus driver involved in the crash? What’s the safety record of the driver operating the bus?

Have you or someone you care about been injured in a Queens school bus accident? Our team of school bus accident attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial assistance that they need to move forward with their lives. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.