Woman Died In Upper East Side, Manhattan MTA Bus Accident Near the Intersection of 3rd Avenue at East 96th Street
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (December 26, 2022) – A woman has tragically died in an Upper East Side MTA bus accident by the intersection of 3rd Avenue at East 96th Street.
New York City police officials are saying that the collision took place around 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. A woman in her 20’s or 30’s was crossing the street when she was hit by a sedan.
The victim was then hit by an MTA bus. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
She was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside where she was later pronounced dead. Police are still searching for the sedan involved in the crash that fled the scene.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Manhattan MTA Bus Accidents
Buses weigh substantially more than passenger vehicles and can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians. According to the Journalist’s Resource, “The researchers note that, on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in a given year.” There are a number of common causes of bus accidents.
- Speeding
- Inclement weather
- Distracted driving
- Poor road conditions
- Driver fatigue
Bus drivers will need to acquire a commercial drivers license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must do everything in their power to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to New York Vehicle Code 1146, drivers must take measures to avoid hitting pedestrians, bicyclists, and domestic animals in the roadway. A large number of pedestrian collisions are due to drivers that fail to scan the road ahead of them. If a bus driver failed to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company that a bus driver worked for could be held at fault for a collision. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior employers are principally responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. According to Judith M. v. Sisters of Charity Hosp., 93 N.Y.2d 932, 933 (1999) respondeat superior will apply “so long as the tortious conduct is generally foreseeable and a natural incident of the employment.” There are many steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that died in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. However, it is common for bus companies to fight hard to deny liability for any collision. This is one of the reasons it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
Investigating A Manhattan Bus Accident
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman that died in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Manhattan bus accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 800-529-9997.
