The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York had a 58-year-old bus driver arrested under the requirements of administrative code 19-190 on Feb. 13. The city law makes injuring or killing a pedestrian or bicyclist a criminal misdemeanor.
Police said the bus driver was charged in the injury of a 15-year-old girl whose left leg became pinned under his bus when it hit her while she crossed Grand Street in Williamsburg. The bus had been headed south on Union Avenue when it turned left on Grand Street. The girl was struck at that point. Authorities reported that her leg injury was severe when she went to the hospital.
Before administrative code 19-190 came into effect, vehicle accidents with bicyclists or pedestrians had usually been treated as traffic violations. A representative from the MTA commenting on the accident said the agency has made safety a priority and is always trying to improve its accident prevention strategies.
In this example, the girl with the leg injury might face a long recovery or even permanent disability after being hit by the bus. A person injured in a car accident might choose to make a personal injury claim. This process might be successful in recovering medical expenses and compensation for pain and suffering. An attorney might be able to help such a person learn about his or her rights to compensation and consider the long-term costs of care. Familiarity in dealing with insurance companies during a personal injury lawsuit is also something an attorney might bring to the table for a client. If an insurance company offers a settlement out of court, an attorney might be able to help the client decide if it is a good offer or not.
Source: NBC New York, MTA Bus Hits 15-Year-Old Girl Crossing Street in Brooklyn; Driver Arrested: Police
