Short summary: An FDNY fire truck and an MTA bus collided in the Bronx's Longwood section Tuesday afternoon, sending 19 people, including five firefighters, to the hospital. If you were a passenger on that bus or any city vehicle in a crash, you generally have a claim, but the deadlines are shorter than most people expect.
It happened around 12:30 p.m. near Southern Boulevard and Barretto Street. Witnesses say the fire truck came through the intersection at high speed without its lights or siren on, and hit the bus head-on.
EMS took five firefighters and 14 civilians to area hospitals. Three more were checked out at the scene. The bus was carrying more than a dozen passengers, some of whom said they were thrown from their seats.
Why a crash involving two city vehicles is different
Most crashes involve two private drivers and their insurance companies. This one involves the FDNY and the MTA, both city or city-affiliated agencies.
That matters because claims against the City of New York generally run on a much shorter clock than an ordinary insurance claim. Miss it, and you can lose your right to recover, no matter how clear the fault is.
What bus passengers hurt in a crash like this should do
Don't assume "the bus" automatically covers you
As a passenger, you're generally entitled to no-fault benefits that cover medical bills and some lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. That claim runs on its own 30-day clock, and it starts now, not after you start feeling better.
Document everything before it disappears
Get checked out the same day, keep every bill and discharge paper, and start physical therapy if it's recommended. Buses don't always have working cameras, so your own records matter more.
Get advice before any deadline passes
Because a city agency is involved, there's generally a notice you have to file fast, often within 90 days. Here's the fuller list of steps that protect a claim like this.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
Can I file a claim if I was a passenger and not driving either vehicle?
Yes. Passengers generally have a claim against whichever driver or agency caused the crash, sometimes both. You didn't do anything wrong, and that doesn't change your right to be compensated.
What if I feel fine now but I'm sore in a few days?
See a doctor anyway, and soon. Injuries from being thrown around inside a bus often show up days later, and waiting too long to get checked out can hurt your health and your claim.
Does it matter that one vehicle was a fire truck responding to a call?
It can affect the legal analysis, but it doesn't erase your right to file a claim. Whether the lights and siren were on, which witnesses here dispute, is generally a key fact.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: NBC New York.
