Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
Human error, use of electronic devices, fatigue, absence of collision warning systems and structural defects are among the causes of mass transit accidents. Citing five transit accidents involving the Metro-North Railroad that caused six fatalities and 126 injuries from May 2013 to March 2014, along with these causes, the National Transportation Safety Board recognized safer… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
Charter bus accidents can cause injuries and even fatalities for New York travelers. Accordingly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) has issued an advisory on hiring a motor coach company for a trip. This information may help select a company from the more than 4,000 registered interstate carriers in the United States. An interstate… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
Passengers injured on New York’s buses and subways must prove that the carriers’ negligence caused the injuries to receive compensation. As part of this proof, plaintiffs must establish the duty of care that these common carriers owed to its passengers. Until the end of the 20th Century, New York courts generally held that these common… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
Commercial vehicles, such as motorcoaches and school buses, are often equipped with vehicle onboard onboard video systems that continuously record video or make these recordings after an event that triggered the crash. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board recently issued a report and safety alert on the benefit of these systems and recommending improvements. The… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
The recent derailment of an Amtrak train that was speeding excessively outside of Philadelphia has focused attention over the implementation of safety technologies for commuter, intercity and freight trains. Earlier this year, the National Transportation Safety Board listed the use of positive train control systems, as mandated by Congress, as one of its most wanted… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
To combat fatalities and injuries among pedestrians and bicyclists in New York City, Mayor de Blasio implemented the Vision Zero street safety program. As part of this program, the City enacted the Right of Way Law that subjects drivers to a misdemeanor charge for striking or killing a pedestrian who has the right of way…. (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
Mass transit accidents harm numerous victims besides passengers and operators. Recent lawsuits involving the May 12 derailment of an Amtrak passenger train 188 traveling to New York illustrate the type of victims in these accidents. The derailment outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania resulted in eight fatalities and over 200 injuries. Over 12 lawsuits have been filed. A… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
After the May 12 derailment of New York-bound Train 188 outside of Philadelphia, Amtrak announced that the planned installation of inward-facing video recorders in some of its trains’ operating cabs. However, the National Transportation Safety Board asked Amtrak to install these devices in all of its trains in a July 8 letter because audio recordings… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
The National Transportation Safety Board called for improvements on motorcoach interiors and better data recorders on these vehicles and trucks following its investigation of a 2014 fatal truck motorcoach collision in Orland, California. These upgrades, if adopted, could improve passenger safety in New York and across the country. The 2014 accident involved a FedEX Freight… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
Both the presence of new technology and its absence have posed safety challenges for passengers of New York’s buses and subways. Recent technology has diverted the attention of operators while failure to adopt new innovations has diminished safety. Like drivers of vehicles, transit operators may be distracted with the use of personal electronic devices. Answering… (keep reading)
Posted on October 3, 2015 in Bus Accidents
New York has a population of over eight million people, and that number is growing. The city continues to try to find new ways to transport people from one side of the city to the other. The subway system and the bus system are great ways to get around the city — especially for those… (keep reading)
