If you are in a bus accident, your first priority is safety: stay calm, call 911, stay at the scene, and get medical attention even if you feel fine. Document the scene, collect witness contacts, and note the bus number and route. In New York, filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days is required before you can sue a public bus operator like the MTA.
The steps below walk through each action in order — from the moment impact happens to the days that follow.
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys explain what riders should know after a New York City bus accident, including how claims against the MTA work and what evidence matters most.
Step 1: Make Sure You Are Safe
The moment a collision stops, scan yourself for obvious injuries before moving. If you can move without pain and the bus is on a public roadway, stay seated until emergency personnel arrive — standing passengers who move around after impact sometimes fall and worsen existing injuries.
If the bus is on fire, filling with smoke, or in water, exit immediately using the nearest emergency exit. Bus emergency exits are typically marked in red and located at the rear, roof, or side windows.
Do not assume you are unhurt because you feel no pain right away. Bus crashes involve sudden deceleration forces that can cause whiplash, concussion, and soft-tissue injuries whose symptoms show up hours or days later.
Step 2: Call 911
Call 911 even if injuries appear minor. A police report creates an official record of the accident — the time, place, parties involved, and initial observations. That record can be important later if a dispute arises about what happened or who was at fault.
When the operator asks what happened, describe what you observed factually. Avoid saying things like "I'm fine" or "it wasn't that bad" — those statements can be used against you later.
Paramedics will assess passengers on scene. Accept that evaluation. If they recommend transport to an emergency room, go.
Step 3: Document the Scene
While waiting for emergency responders — and assuming you are physically able — gather as much information as you can:
On the bus:
- Bus number (posted inside and outside the bus)
- Route number and direction of travel
- Driver's name and badge number (usually displayed near the driver)
- Bus operator (MTA, NICE Bus, private charter, school bus, etc.)
At the scene:
- Photos of the bus, any other vehicles involved, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible damage
- Photos of any visible injuries on yourself
- Your location (cross streets, landmarks, GPS coordinates from your phone)
- Time of the accident
Witnesses:
- Names and phone numbers of any other passengers or bystanders who saw what happened
If there is a passenger manifest or sign-in log on the bus, ask to be included or photograph it. That list can later help confirm you were aboard.
Step 4: Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Go to an emergency room or urgent care the same day, even if you feel well enough to go home. A medical record created shortly after the accident is one of the most important pieces of evidence in any injury case.
Two injuries are especially common in bus accidents and frequently have delayed symptoms:
Whiplash: The sudden forward-and-back movement of a bus stop or collision can strain the muscles and ligaments of the neck and upper back. Pain, stiffness, and headaches often appear 24–72 hours after impact.
Concussion / traumatic brain injury: A bump or jolt to the head — even without a direct blow — can cause a mild TBI. Symptoms including confusion, difficulty concentrating, and nausea may not appear until the next morning.
Tell the treating physician exactly what happened and every symptom you have noticed, no matter how small. Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every follow-up appointment. Gaps in treatment are often used by insurance adjusters to argue that injuries were not serious.
Step 5: Report the Accident to the Bus Operator
For MTA buses, you can file an incident report directly with the MTA. The MTA provides a Personal Injury Claim Form for passengers injured on NYCTA, MaBSTOA, and SIRTOA buses. You can download this form at mta.info or request it by calling 511.
Keep a copy of every form you submit and note the date and method of submission.
Step 6: File a Notice of Claim (If the Bus Is Publicly Operated)
This step is specific to New York and critical if you were on an MTA or other government-operated bus.
Under New York General Municipal Law § 50-e, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident before you can sue a public bus operator. The Notice of Claim formally notifies the government entity that you intend to pursue compensation. Miss this deadline and you lose the right to bring a lawsuit.
The Notice must state:
- Your name and address
- The nature of the claim
- The time, place, and circumstances of the injury
After filing the Notice, you have one year and 90 days from the accident date to file a lawsuit.
For accidents involving a private bus company or charter service, the Notice of Claim requirement does not apply, but normal civil court deadlines still govern. The general personal injury statute of limitations in New York is three years under CPLR § 214.
If you are unsure whether your bus was publicly or privately operated, a Queens bus accident lawyer can help you identify the operator and ensure all deadlines are met.
Step 7: Protect Your Evidence
In the days and weeks after the accident:
- Save all receipts for medical treatment, prescription medication, transportation to appointments, and any other out-of-pocket costs related to your injuries
- Keep a pain journal noting your daily symptoms, how they affect your work and activities, and any new symptoms that develop
- Do not post about the accident on social media — insurance investigators monitor social media, and even an innocuous photo can be taken out of context
- Do not give a recorded statement to the bus operator's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a bus accident?
Call 911, stay at the scene, accept a medical evaluation on site, and take photos of the bus number, route, scene, and your injuries. Get the driver's name and badge number, and collect contact information from witnesses. Seek medical care the same day even if you feel well.
Do I need to see a doctor after a bus accident if I feel fine?
Yes. Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries often produce no symptoms for 24 to 72 hours after impact. A same-day medical visit creates a record linking any injuries to the accident. Waiting days or weeks to see a doctor makes it easier for insurers to argue your injuries came from somewhere else.
What is the Notice of Claim deadline for an MTA bus accident in New York?
Under New York General Municipal Law § 50-e, you have 90 days from the date of the accident to file a Notice of Claim against the MTA or any other municipal bus operator. Missing this deadline typically bars you from suing. After filing, you have one year and 90 days to actually file a lawsuit.
What information should I collect at the scene of a bus accident?
Collect the bus number, route number, bus operator name, driver's name and badge number, witness names and phone numbers, and the location and time of the accident. Take photos of the bus, any other vehicles, the road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Should I talk to the bus company's insurance adjuster?
No — not before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters work for the bus operator, not for you. A recorded statement made early, before the full extent of your injuries is known, can be used to minimize your claim. If you receive a call from an adjuster, you can tell them you will respond through your attorney.
Sources & Official Resources
New York Laws Cited
Government Claim Resources
- MTA Personal Injury Claim Form (NYCTA, MaBSTOA, SIRTOA)
- NYC Comptroller — File a Claim Against the City
- NYC 311 — City Claim Information
Talk to a Bus Accident Lawyer — Free Consultation
If you were injured in a bus accident in Queens or anywhere in New York City, the attorneys at The Orlow Firm are ready to help. Understanding the deadlines, gathering the right evidence, and dealing with the MTA or a private carrier's insurance company are all things we handle for injured passengers every day.
For questions about liability, settlement value, or whether you have a viable claim, visit our Queens bus accident lawyer page or call us directly.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. Se Habla Español.
The Orlow Firm has four offices in New York City and will travel to you if you cannot come to us.
