# Bus & Transit Accident Claims in NYC
> City buses, the subway, shuttles, and tour buses can mean a public entity — and a 90-day deadline that ends many claims before they start.

- Type: informational
- URL: https://autoaccidentlawyersnyc.com/motor-vehicle/bus-transit-accidents/
- Updated: 2026-08-20T00:46:23+00:00

## About this page
City buses, the subway, shuttles, and tour buses can mean a public entity — and a 90-day deadline that ends many claims before they start.

## Key facts
- Phone: (212) 555-0100
- Location: New York, New York
- Logo: /storage/projects/27/files/lawlogo.webp

## Page content
When your injury involves the MTA, a city bus, the subway, or another public transit body, the ordinary three-year window does not apply. A Notice of Claim is usually required within about 90 days, and the lawsuit itself within one year and 90 days. The single most important thing after a transit injury is to move…
The free Accident Answer Engine walks through your situation and shows the legal issues, deadlines, and next steps that fit it. Open the Answer Engine →

## How New York law applies
- Notice of Claim within ~90 days. General Municipal Law § 50-e requires a formal Notice of Claim against public entities like the MTA or NYC, generally within…
- Shorter suit deadline. Lawsuits against these entities usually must be filed within one year and 90 days — far shorter than the standard three years.
- A 50-h hearing may be required. Public entities can demand a recorded examination before suit, which makes early, careful preparation important.

## Who may be responsible
Liability often reaches beyond the obvious. Depending on the facts, responsible parties can include:
- The MTA, NYCTA, or other transit authority
- A private bus or shuttle company and its insurer
- A tour-bus operator
- Another at-fault driver
- A maintenance or parts contractor

## Deadlines that matter
Most New York injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash. But if a city bus, the MTA, or another public entity was involved, a Notice of Claim is generally due within 90 days and suit within one year and 90 days. Evidence fades fast, so earlier is always stronger.

## What to do now
- Get checked by a doctor right away, even if you feel “okay” — adrenaline hides injuries, and a gap in treatment is the first thing an insurer attacks.
- Open a No-Fault claim with your own auto insurer promptly; the application is generally due within 30 days of the crash.
- Photograph the vehicles, the street, traffic signals, and your injuries, and write down the police report number.
- Get names and numbers for every driver, passenger, and witness before anyone leaves.
- Keep a short daily note of pain, missed work, and out-of-pocket costs.

## Mistakes to avoid
A good case can be undercut in the first days. Watch for these:
- Giving the other driver's insurer a recorded statement, or accepting a quick settlement, before you know what your claim is worth — early offers are usually…
- Posting about the crash, your injuries, or your activities on social media.
- Letting treatment lapse; insurers read missed appointments as proof you weren't really hurt.
- Assuming you can't be helped because you have no health insurance — No-Fault may cover your bills.

## Related
- [Hit-and-Run Accident Claims in NYC](https://autoaccidentlawyersnyc.com/motor-vehicle/hit-and-run-accidents/)
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