There are a growing number of companies now running sightseeing buses in New York City, many of which are double-deckers. Currently, they are not legally required to file reports of any accidents to the city’s licensing agency.
There are at least 5 entities, including the Consumer Affairs Department, that have some say in the running of these tourist attractions, but not one of them requires mandatory reporting of accidents, such as the one that took place in Times Square recently, injuring 14 people.
Spokeswoman Abby Lootens said city law does not require companies to report accidents to the department.
An aide to Ydanis Rodriguez, who is the chairman of the City Council transportation department, said they are looking into changes in this loophole by making a proposal to revoke licenses issued by the city to those companies whose drivers have committed too many violations.
Currently, the police department, one of the entities involved in bus transportation, does not separate different types of bus transportation companies when it comes to accidents in the city or the results of vehicle inspections and the status of drivers and their licenses.
Gray Line, which is NYC’s biggest sightseeing company, had 11 percent of its fleet of 80 buses stood down for compulsory repairs in 2013. It was one of Gray Line’s buses that was the culprit in the crash in Times Square. It appears that 20 to 25 percent would definitely be a cause for concern.
At the moment, the general public is not aware exactly what types of buses are involved in accidents and the regulatory system conceals the true picture of the 263 sightseeing double-decker buses’ safety and operational history. This means bus companies can claim a high safety record without the public knowing otherwise.
Despite this secrecy, anyone who is injured on a sightseeing bus and has to receive hospital treatment may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the company who caused the accident.
Once the person or company who caused the accident has been determined, then any victim who has been injured in a sightseeing bus accident in NYC should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Long Island, such as Richard S. Jaffe Esq. He will ensure a complete claim is made, covering all aspects of the injury from medical expenses from the day of the accident until the victim has fully recovered and loss of income for the same time period.
Most visitors to New York City choose a sightseeing bus company to show them the sights so that they can sit back in comfort and enjoy the city and the commentary provided by the bus driver. Buses such as these don’t tend to speed but take their time, so no one in their right mind would expect an accident to occur and injuries to take place.
Bus companies are competitive businesses in NYC, and even though they may feel safe, there are other aspects such as driver experience on busy, congested New York roads and bus maintenance. Turning a blind eye to these could result in a serious accident caused by such things as faulty brakes or driver inexperience.
If you or a family member has been injured in a NYC double-decker sightseeing bus accident you should contact Richard S. Jaffe today for a free consultation to discuss your eligibility to file a personal injury claim. You can contact him for a free consultation at the Law Offices of Cohen & Jaffe LLP, 2001 Marcus Avenue, Suite W295, Lake Success, NY 11042. Phone: 516-358-6900 or toll free: 800-483-6149.
For a free legal consultation, call 516-358-6900
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