Hit by a Bus While Riding My Bicycle in Manhattan: What Are My Legal Options?

Negligent bus drivers can easily cause bicycle accidents in Manhattan. Contact Cohan Law, PLLC to learn more about your legal options and rights in this scenario. Bus accident cases are often more complex than ordinary bicycle crashes because the first question is not just “who caused the crash?” It is also “who operated the bus?” We can identify whether the claim involves a public transit authority, NYC agency, private bus company, shuttle operator, contractor, tour bus company, or employer and then pursue the correct legal track. Our Manhattan bus accident attorney is ready to protect your legal rights and financial interests.

Buses Hit Cyclists All the Time in New York

Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents are quite common in New York. On May 8th, 2026, Eyewitness News reported that a cyclist had been struck by a NY Waterways bus in Manhattan. The incident shut down the West Side Highway for hours, and first responders rushed the injured cyclist to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Later reports confirmed that the bus was in the process of turning onto the road, while the cyclist was heading straight. It implies that the turning bus failed to yield to the cyclist, although this is pure speculation. Crime scene investigators are still trying to determine exactly what caused the crash, and they have not announced any criminal charges. The crash happened on the West Side Highway, one of Manhattan’s busiest transportation corridors and a route where cyclists may be exposed to buses, trucks, ferries, shuttles, rideshare vehicles, and turning commercial traffic.

Can I Sue the Bus Company After a Bicycle Accident?

You may be able to sue the bus company after being injured in this type of accident. New York is rife with negligent, reckless bus drivers. Even if you’re not yet sure whether the bus driver caused your crash, you can gather the necessary evidence and establish negligence with help from a lawyer.

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1146 requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with bicyclists. A bus driver may be negligent if they fail to yield, turn across a cyclist’s path, merge unsafely, drive distracted, make an unsafe stop, open a door into a rider’s path, or fail to check mirrors and blind spots before moving.

Often, cyclists are left in critical condition after bus accidents. It’s not difficult to understand why this is so common, as a heavy bus striking a completely vulnerable cyclist can easily cause fatal or catastrophic injuries. This means that the underlying injury almost always crosses the “serious” threshold in New York, allowing victims to directly sue negligent parties.

Was It a Transit Company or a Private Bus?

One relevant question may be whether the bus was operated by a public transit company or a private organization. If the bus was part of the public transit system, you may need to sue the government agency itself. These kinds of claims follow slightly different rules, including shorter timelines. This highlights the need to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as your injuries stabilize. If the bus was operated by a private company (like a tour bus), you can still sue.

The distinction can change the deadline immediately. If the bus was operated by the MTA, NYC, or another public entity, you may have only 90 days to serve a Notice of Claim under General Municipal Law § 50-e. Missing that deadline can seriously damage or even destroy the case. If the bus was operated by a private company, shuttle service, tour company, hotel, ferry operator, school bus contractor, or employer, the ordinary personal injury timeline may apply, but the investigation should still begin right away.

An Overview of Evidence to Preserve After a Manhattan Bus-Bicycle Crash

Bus cases are evidence-heavy. Key evidence may include onboard bus video, exterior cameras, driver logs, GPS data, dispatch communications, route data, maintenance history, drug and alcohol testing records, cell-phone records, police reports, witness statements, nearby surveillance footage, and photographs of the bike and bus damage. Much of that evidence is controlled by the bus operator, which is why preservation letters should be sent quickly.

Key Takeaways

• If you were struck by a bus while riding your bicycle in New York, you should contact a lawyer immediately
• If you can establish that the bus driver was to blame, you could sue the transit company or bus tour company
• Other drivers may have also contributed to your accident, and they may be liable
• The first step is identifying whether the bus was public, private, or contractor-operated
• If the bus was operated by MTA, NYC, or another public entity, a 90-day Notice of Claim may be required
• Private bus claims may involve commercial insurance, negligent hiring, negligent maintenance, and driver-training evidence

Can a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Manhattan Help Me?

A bicycle accident attorney in Manhattan may be able to help if you were injured by a bus. These accidents are completely unacceptable, especially if caused by negligent bus drivers. Hit by a bus while riding your bike in New York? Contact Cohan Law, PLLC to discuss the next steps during a free consultation. We represent bus accident victims in Manhattan and throughout New York City.

Sources:

abc7ny.com/post/bicyclist-hit-ny-waterway-bus-west-side-highway-manhattan/19063122/

nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/1146

nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GMU/50-E