Brooklyn Bus Crashes Into Light Pole, Kills Pedestrian

A 59-year-old pedestrian was hit by a light pole that had been knocked down by a swerving MTA bus on Eastern Parkway near Utica Avenue in the Crown Heights neighborhood, New York authorities said.

Police say the MTA bus was attempting to maneuver around a disabled vehicle when it jumped the sidewalk and struck the street pole, causing it fall. Lance Margolin, 59, was walking home from a birthday party with his wife and friends when the pole toppled on him.

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Light Pole Falls On Pedestrian in Brooklyn Bus Crash

Authorities in New York City say Lance Margolin was rushed to Kings County Hospital with head and body injuries resulting from the downed street pole in Crown Heights. Police say Margolin later died of his injuries.

The New York Police Department Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad said it would launch an investigation into the incident, and MTA stated that it’s fully cooperating with the NYPD, and the driver of the bus has been removed from active duty pending an internal review.

Below, The Barnes Firm’s bus accident attorneys explain that a thorough legal investigation may also be necessary to help victims and their families get closure after an accident.

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busses and train in NYC, Brooklyn bus crashes in Light Pole

What To Know About Bus Accidents In New York

Whether you were a passenger on a bus, an occupant in another vehicle or a pedestrian involved in a bus accident, there are many things to consider after such a traumatic experience.

First, your health and safety should ALWAYS take precedence. It’s critical to get immediate medical attention, and have your injuries documented by healthcare professionals. This documentation allows investigators to connect injuries suffered to an incident of negligence, such as a bus crash.

It’s also highly recommended that you contact an experienced bus accident lawyer in your area who can help protect your family’s rights, and guide you through the legal process that is to come.  If you contact The Barnes Firm, we’ll put one of our best bus accident lawyers in Brooklyn on your case who can not only help you plan for what’s next, but also help you get the best result possible.

What Needs To Be Investigated?

After an accident, it’s important to have an independent investigation that will dive into the facts of the case. Since there are many possible factors that could cause a severe bus accident, there are several pieces of evidence a legal team should be looking for, including:

  • Bus maintenance records
  • Bus driver’s driving record
  • Collecting any video evidence of the crash
  • Determine whether alcohol or drugs were a factor
  • Determine whether distractions were a factor
  • Examine MTA hiring records
  • And More…

Additionally, there are other things to consider when investigating a bus accident that may not be directly related to the crash, but the following evidence could be critical:

  • Design & Location of the street, crosswalks, sidewalks and curbs
  • Potential defects with light poles, signals or traffic lights

It’s also important to look at all vehicles involved and determine what role they may have played in a motor vehicle accident. Even the circumstances regarding a disabled vehicle could play a crucial role in determining who is at fault in an accident.

Male driver taking a picture of his car damage after being in a car accident for his insurance claim, with a witness in the background
Male driver taking a picture of his car damage after being in a car accident for his insurance claim, with a witness in the background

What Needs To Be Investigated?

After any accident, it’s important to have an independent investigation that will dive into the facts of the case. Since there are many possible factors that could cause a severe bus accident, there are several pieces of evidence a legal team should be looking for, including:

  • Bus maintenance records
  • Bus driver’s driving record
  • Collecting any video evidence of the crash
  • Determine whether alcohol or drugs were a factor
  • Determine whether distractions were a factor
  • Examine MTA hiring records
  • And More…

Additionally, there are other things to consider when investigating a bus accident that may not be directly related to the crash, but the following evidence could improve the value of a claim:

  • Design & Location of the street, sidewalks and curbs
  • Potential defects with light poles or signals

It’s also important to look at all vehicles involved and determine what role they may have played in a motor vehicle accident. Even the circumstances regarding a disabled vehicle could play a crucial role in determining who is at fault in an accident.

Choosing The Right Law Firm

Bus accident victims, and their families, face difficult decisions after a crash. It can be overwhelming. That’s one of the reasons why it’s important to have an experienced legal team on your side to help navigate the process that is to come. It’s critical to choose your firm wisely, and quickly — as there are deadlines to meet, and the longer you wait to file a claim, the more difficult it can become to maximize your recovery.

If you or a family has been impacted by a bus crash in New York City, you’ll want a legal team with years of experience handling claims similar to your situation.

At The Barnes Firm, we have one of the largest personal injury law firms in America. Each of our 40-plus attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury matters, including bus accidents. With decades of combined experience helping victims and their families get the best results possible, our team will stop at nothing to help our clients get justice.

If you choose to contact The Barnes Firm, we’ll pair you with our best bus accident attorney for your case based on their experience handling these matters, and the results they’ve obtained for their clients. Please contact us with any questions you may have about your insurance, accident, injuries, or the legal process you must go through to obtain fair compensation.

Our bus accident lawyers are here to help 24/7. Call us now for a FREE case evaluation at (800) 800-0000

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