New York City Access-A-Ride Accident Lawyers

Injured in a transport vehicle or paratransit accident? Giampa Law can help you get compensation.

For many elderly and disabled New Yorkers in areas like the Bronx and Valhalla, Access-A-Ride and paratransit services are vital lifelines, offering a dependable way to get to medical appointments, family gatherings, and daily necessities. But when something goes wrong, these services can lead to dangerous situations and traffic accidents, leaving passengers with severe injuries and little support.

Recovering compensation after an accident can be complex, but with an experienced New York City paratransit accident lawyer from Giampa Law on your side, you’ll have a legal team who knows how to win cases like yours.

Injured? Contact us now for a free consultation. A member of our team is available to hear from you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can listen to the details of what happened, answer your questions, and explain your potential legal options. With offices in the Bronx and Valhalla, we proudly serve clients throughout the five boroughs, Nassau County, and Westchester County.

Understanding Access-A-Ride and Paratransit Accidents in NYC

Access-A-Ride (AAR) and other paratransit options operate to support those who can’t easily use standard public transportation, providing essential services across NYC’s five boroughs and nearby parts of Nassau and Westchester counties. While these services are invaluable, they are not without risks.

Accidents involving transportation services for the disabled and elderly often stem from a variety of situations, including driver negligence, poor vehicle maintenance, or improper loading procedures. Additionally, many accidents involve third-party drivers who may not follow road safety rules around these specialized vehicles. Here are some of the most common scenarios:

Driver Negligence or Error: Paratransit drivers may fail to follow safety protocols or make judgment errors, like sudden braking or unsafe turns, which can easily result in passenger injuries.
Vehicle Maintenance Issues: Poorly maintained vehicles increase the risk of mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or door failures, that can lead to accidents or injuries during boarding and exiting.
Improper Loading and Securing of Mobility Equipment: Accidents can occur if wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids are not securely fastened within the vehicle, causing passengers to fall or be injured if the equipment shifts during transit.
Inadequate Assistance During Boarding or Exiting: Drivers are only permitted to help within certain limits – for example, assisting up/down one curb or step - which can lead to falls or missteps if passengers require more support.
Third-Party Driver Collisions: Regular drivers often do not exercise additional caution around paratransit vehicles, leading to collisions with AAR vehicles, especially during pickups and drop-offs where the paratransit vehicle may be stopped in vulnerable positions.

These unique risks make accidents involving Access-A-Ride and paratransit services particularly dangerous, often resulting in serious injuries for those already more vulnerable to harm.

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Transportation Vehicle Accidents

When an accident involves elderly or disabled passengers, the injuries can be severe and long-lasting, often carrying unique complications. Paratransit accidents expose passengers to jolts, falls, and collisions, which can result in injuries beyond what younger or fully mobile individuals might experience. These injuries often lead to extended hospital stays, increased medical expenses, and a prolonged recovery.

Fractures and Broken Bones: The risk of fractures is particularly high during sudden stops, impacts, or unexpected movements. For passengers with pre-existing mobility issues, a minor fall can result in significant injuries, like broken hips, wrists, or legs, which are harder to heal and require intensive rehabilitation.
Head Trauma and Concussions: A sudden impact, even a moderate one, can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion, especially if the passenger strikes their head on a seat or window. These injuries often require extensive medical care and can lead to long-term cognitive problems, making it challenging for elderly passengers to regain full independence.
Worsening of Existing Conditions: For passengers with chronic conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, or respiratory issues, the trauma from an accident can exacerbate these conditions, leading to additional pain and mobility challenges. This can lengthen recovery times and increase the need for supportive care.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons are common in paratransit accidents. Whiplash, shoulder strains, and back injuries can occur from the jerking movements or sudden stops, leading to chronic pain and limiting the passenger’s ability to perform daily activities.
Internal Injuries: Elderly or disabled passengers may suffer internal injuries like organ damage or internal bleeding from even low-impact accidents. These injuries can be particularly dangerous because symptoms may not be immediately apparent, leading to delayed treatment and more severe complications.

For elderly or disabled passengers, the toll is often more severe, requiring careful legal attention to ensure all future medical needs and support are considered when seeking compensation.

Insurance companies often resist paying full compensation for paratransit accident claims involving elderly or disabled victims, citing high medical costs, pre-existing conditions, delayed symptoms, and the long-term financial liability associated with ongoing care. Thus, legal support is essential to secure fair compensation.

Why Liability is Complex in Paratransit Accidents

Liability and fault in Access-A-Ride accidents in New York City are complex due to the layered structure of the service and the different types of vehicles and operators involved. AAR relies on a combination of public and private transportation providers, meaning that AAR contracts with private carriers that operate lift-equipped vans, ramp-equipped vehicles, and sedans.

Additionally, service may be provided by private taxis, livery services, black car services, and TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) licensed Yellow and Green accessible taxis. The variety of providers and vehicles involved adds multiple layers of responsibility and potential for error.

Multiple Parties: Each provider has different insurance policies, standards, and training, so liability may fall on the driver, the company, or NYC Transit, making fault complex to determine.
Service Limits: AAR drivers can only assist passengers within set limits, like helping up to a curb or carrying light bags; injuries outside these boundaries can create fault disputes.
Inconsistent Vehicle Types: AAR doesn’t guarantee a specific vehicle type, so passengers may face inconsistent accessibility levels, which can contribute to unsafe situations and accidents.
Shared Liability: AAR is run by NYC Transit but operated by private carriers, meaning both public and private entities may share liability, complicating the claims process.

The combined factors of multiple providers, strict yet limited assistance policies, and inconsistencies in accessibility support make establishing fault in AAR paratransit accidents uniquely challenging. A detailed, professional investigation is often essential to navigate these layers of liability and ensure that injured passengers receive fair compensation for their injuries.

Our experienced New York City Access-A-Ride accident lawyers handle cases involving serious paratransit accident injuries. We know how to hold negligent drivers and companies accountable for the harm caused in elderly or disabled transportation accidents.

Filing a Claim After a Paratransit Accident

The process of filing a claim for an AAR or another type of paratransit accident involves gathering strong evidence, understanding complex insurance policies, and negotiating with insurers. Giampa Law’s team has the experience to handle these details so you can focus on healing.

At Giampa Law, we investigate each accident thoroughly, identifying all responsible parties to build a strong claim. Our expertise ensures that liable parties are held accountable, helping you recover the compensation needed for your recovery. If you’ve been injured in an Access-A-Ride or paratransit accident, you may be eligible for multiple forms of compensation:

Medical Expenses
Rehabilitation Costs
Pain and Suffering
Lost Wages

Getting full compensation is essential for recovery. The team at Giampa Law fights to ensure every client receives a settlement or judgment that reflects the true extent of their damages so no cost is left uncovered.

Get Giampa Law on Your Side

Handling an Access-A-Ride or paratransit accident case alone can feel overwhelming. But with Giampa Law, you gain a dedicated partner who knows New York’s laws and fights for maximum compensation. Our experience means we know how to navigate challenging cases, ensuring clients don’t have to shoulder the burden alone.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving transportation for elderly or disabled individuals, Giampa Law can help. Contact us today for a free consultation and start your path toward justice and recovery.

“Giampa Law did an amazing job on my case. They were always available to speak with me at any time, unlike other law firms that give you the runaround. I highly recommend this law firm.” – Elias