New York Double Decker Bus Topples

One of the busiest tourist areas of Times Square became a scene of chaos when a double-decker tourist bus crashed into a light pole and toppled over on its side, spewing shattered glass into the streets. Witnesses said it sounded like “something was falling from the sky.”

Although there were no life threatening injuries, three people were sent to the hospital with serious injuries and several more were treated at the scene.  The accident shut down a portion of the area for a brief period of time and is still under investigation.

Other information obtained alleges the bus driver was under the influence of drugs; it was not clear whether they were illegal or prescription.  The driver was given a sobriety test at the scene which he failed and later submitted to a blood and urine test.  Further investigation revealed that since 1993 the driver has had his license and vehicle registration suspended various different infractions which include unpaid child support and failure to carry insurance.

Are Double-Deckers Double Trouble?

Just last month a 16-year-old boy was killed while riding on the upper level of a double decker bus.  The young man and his friends were on the top level when they were standing up to take pictures and noticed the overpasses the bus was traveling under were getting lower and lower.  Although no one is exactly sure what happened, it is believed the victim had his back to the direction of travel when he struck his head on an overpass. He died the next day.  The friends advised law enforcement officials that they had not been given any safety instructions and were unaware the bus had seat belts.

A California woman has filed a lawsuit against the bus company she was riding on claiming safety issues with the bus line.  The woman was riding on the top level of a double decker when she stood up to take photos and a low-hanging branch hit her in the face.  Her suit claims her face is disfigured, the bottom of her eye socket was shattered and she suffers from double vision.  Like the friends of the boy who was killed, she claims she was not given safety instructions and was unaware of any seat belts.

It is the duty of the bus company to keep you safe when you ride with them. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for damages. The Fitzgerald Law Firm in New York may be able to help you recover compensation if you are hurt in a bus accident. Call us today for more information.