It was a frightening scene in Lower Manhattan on Monday, November 2, 2020 as the remnants of a subway entrance were scattered along the street after an Access-a-Ride van slammed into the railing, injuring two people. It all unfolded around 6:15 a.m. at Church and Barclays streets at the Chambers Street subway station, home to the 1,2,3, A, C, and E lines.
The van ripped the entire entrance structure from its base, sending metal railing and glass flying onto the street, all during the early morning commute. Two people sustained reportedly minor injuries, one of whom went to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, and the other to Bellevue Hospital. According to MTA sources, only one passenger was in the van at the time of accident, but it is not known whether that passenger was one of the injured two.
MTA spokesman Michael Cortez said preliminary assessments uncovered no mechanical error with the van, but a full investigation will take place to determine the cause of the accident. The driver of the bus will also be tested for drugs and alcohol as is protocol for these types of incidents.
We wish the injured victims a full and speedy recovery and are thankful no others were hurt during this harrowing crash.
Bus accidents are not uncommon, especially on the busy streets of New York City. According to an article in the New York Post, the number of MTA bus customer accidents was up by 11% from 2018 to 2019. Although not as recognized as a city or express bus, the Access-a-Ride van in Monday’s accident is a part of the New York City transit system. MTA New York City Transit offers the paratransit service for customers with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public subways and buses. Access-a-Ride provides services to all five boroughs, including parts of Long Island and Westchester.
Many bus accidents are caused by drivers trying to avoid pedestrians, cars, and bicyclists as well as forces of nature, such as slick roads or icy conditions. Passengers can get hurt while riding and when entering and exiting buses. MTA bus operators are trained to avoid these types of accidents and go through a demanding six-week training program, with only 70% completing the course. However, accidents still happen and can sometimes lead to serious injury or even death.
The bus accident attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy have experience dealing with serious injuries involving buses and other public transit vehicles. Some of our results include:
- $6,000,000 settlement for a bus passenger injured when the bus he was riding on collided with a flatbed truck, resulting in serious spinal, shoulder, and leg injuries.
- $3,450,000 settlement for a pedestrian who was injured while crossing the street after being hit by an Access-a-Ride bus, sustaining multiple fractures to his leg and hip
- $3,000,000 settlement for a man who was hit by an MTA bus in Brooklyn, sustaining extensive fractures to his ribs and hips
- $2,500,000 settlement for a 32-year-old cyclist who was forcefully doored by the driver of an Access-a-Ride van, resulting in herniated discs that required surgery, among other injuries
To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys call us at 212-736-5300 to discuss your options or contact us by filing out our online form.