18-Year-Old Scooter Rider Died After Being Hit By MTA Bus In Jamaica, Queens
JAMAICA, QUEENS (September 3, 2023) – A man riding a scooter has tragically died in a collision with an MTA bus along 89th Avenue in Jamaica, Queens.
New York City police officials are saying that the collision took place on Monday night. An 18-year-old man was heading north on 168th Street when he was struck by a Q20 MTA bus.
The bus was apparently empty at the time of the collision. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries where he was pronounced dead. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Queens MTA Bus Accidents
Far too many people are killed or seriously injured in collisions involving MTA buses each year. According to one report from the New York Post, “At least 2,520 people — or 2.7 per day — were injured [from 2015 – 2018], according to the MTA. At least 14 people died, including a 25-year-old skateboarder, a 62-year-old pedestrian, a 60-year-old motorist and a 70-year-old with a walker who was mutilated by a hit-and-run bus.” There are a number of steps that bus drivers should take in order to avoid hitting cyclists and pedestrians.
- Bus drivers should slow down at intersections.
- Bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Bus drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them.
Bus drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid causing accidents. To that end, drivers must always operate their vehicles at a safe speed. Pursuant to New York Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1180, no person is allowed to operate a motor vehicle faster than what would be prudent or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a bus driver fails to slow down and hits a scooter rider, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- An experienced bus accident attorney should be contacted.
Depending on the facts of any case, a bus driver’s employer could be liable for a collision. Generally speaking, employers are principally responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. The family of any person that died in a bus accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. A bus accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Jamaica, Queens MTA Bus Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the scooter rider killed in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Jamaica, Queens bus accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of bus accident attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
