Earlier this month, a bus collision in Manhattan resulted in multiple injuries, leaving many shocked.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported that a Topview NYC double-decker tour bus was excessively speeding when it rammed into an MTA bus at the junction of 1st Ave and E. 23rd Street.
Eyewitnesses provided vivid accounts of the horrifying incident, recounting the moment when the speeding tour bus collided with the MTA vehicle. The impact was so intense that the tour bus’s windows shattered, leaving no questions about the accident’s severity.
First responders promptly arrived at the scene, rescuing passengers trapped inside the tour bus and administering immediate medical assistance to the injured parties on both buses.
The aftermath of the accident saw 36 individuals transported to nearby hospitals, while an additional 10 were treated on-site.
MTA President Richard Davey expressed grave concern over the incident, emphasizing the reckless behavior of the tour bus driver. Initial findings suggest that the driver ran a red light, causing him to strike the MTA bus twice before coming to a halt.
The high speed at which the tour bus was traveling undoubtedly heightened the severity of the incident, highlighting the reckless endangerment of innocent lives.
Unfortunately, this is not the first case of negligence on the part of double-decker tour companies in Manhattan resulting in harm. Our team of bus accident attorneys have previously secured compensation for victims injured by buses throughout the 5 boroughs.
This accident poses serious questions about the regulation of these popular tourist transport services. Management of double-decker buses is often caught in a regulatory no-man’s land, with no clear control by federal, state, or local law.
Consequently, they are often exempt from certain safety standards and regulations, posing potential risks to passengers.
Bus operators don’t have to undergo background checks, driving tests, or regular physical exams. Astonishingly, there are no policies restricting drug and alcohol use within six hours before driving, and even sex offenders can be hired as drivers.
Furthermore, the companies are not obliged to have significant personal injury policies, report driver details, or maintain fair fares.
This lack of solid regulations raises serious questions about the safety and transparency of the double-decker tour bus industry.
For more info on bus related accidents and how Oliveri & Schwartz can help, call 212-987-1100.