As bicycles and bike-sharing programs grow in popularity, you may notice an increase of traffic accidents occurring in the Bronx and in New York City. Some of the bikes that are available for borrowing as an alternative to taking public transportation are docked in heavily congested locations. If you are using a bike-share that requires you to make a pick-up or drop-off in an unfamiliar location, you may find yourself bicycling in heavy traffic areas.
As reported by the New York Post, a 26-year-old bicyclist was struck by an MTA bus in the Bronx. He was riding his bike on the right side of the bus along Grand Concourse. The bus driver swerved to the right to get to a bus stop and then struck the bicyclist. With his condition reported as stable, the cyclist required stitches to his head after the first responders rushed him to the hospital. MTA and FDNY officials provided an update to the accident, and the MTA opened an investigation.
There were about 17 bicycle deaths reported throughout NYC’s five boroughs during the first seven months of 2019. While it is not unusual to hear about minor injuries from bike and pedestrian run-ins, a bus slamming into a bicycle may be catastrophic. There are certain procedures for bus drivers to follow when involved in an accident, and they may find themselves penalized for deviating. Although remaining aware of city traffic patterns and hazards is vital for NYC bicyclists, knowing what to do when involved in an MTA bus accident may help in reducing conflict or confusion later.
An individual who has suffered serious harm or injuries may file a claim against the MTA. You must, however, show that the bus driver’s negligence caused the injuries, such as proving that the bus turned into you or that its driver ran a red light. Because the claim is against a government agency, a Notice of Claim must first get filed within 90 days of the accident. This notice provides all of the details of the accident and your injuries. The agency will review it in 30 days and may then request that you attend a pre-suit hearing. An attorney may be able to file and settle the matter quickly by following the MTA’s legal protocols. In some cases, your insurance policy may provide no-fault coverage for traffic accidents that include collisions with public transportation vehicles.