Bus accident in New York causes personal injury to 13 people

Two tour buses collided in Times Square, causing several injuries. New York police said 13 people were injured, one seriously. However, fire officials on the scene said the incidence of personal injury could have been much worse.

According to the accident report, a GrayLine bus which was touring Manhattan was unable to negotiate a stop, resulting in it striking a traffic pole. The bus apparently then continued on to strike a CitySights tour bus. An employee of one of the two bus lines claimed the driver said the brakes on the bus failed, but so far police have not commented on whether this claim has been confirmed by a mechanical review of the vehicle.

The pole crashed to the ground, apparently injuring a man in the area. Witnesses said the man was struck in the leg by the falling pole, though no further information was available on his condition as of this report. Most of the injuries took place on the sidewalk, where people were hit by debris. No one was critically hurt, and police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

Depending on the outcome of the New York police investigation, charges against the driver may could be forthcoming. If brake failure is determined to be the cause of the bus accident, a further investigation will take place into the cause for the failure. Injured parties will be entitled under law to file a personal injury suit against the individuals and/or business entities deemed responsible for any negligence that is deemed to have been proximately related to the accident and injuries that resulted.

Source: q13fox.com, “Two tour buses crash in Times Square, injuries reported“, , Aug. 5, 2014