Bus Accident
$7 Million
Bus passenger suffered a neck injury requiring surgery
NYC Access-A-Ride Accident Lawyers
25+ years. Millions recovered.
Koenigsberg delivers.
Pay Nothing Unless We Win
Free case review
Millions recovered for New Yorkers
Koenigsberg & Associates have a proven track record fighting for our clients. We're committed to securing your recovery and getting you back on your feet.
How our lawyers can help
The experienced attorneys at Koenigsberg & Associates will listen to your needs, organize the facts, evidence, and details of your case, and aggressively pursue legal action until you get the compensation that you deserve:
- Medical Treatment
- Lost Wages
- Pain & Suffering
Common types of Access-A-Ride accidents
From wheelchair securement failures to crashes caused by other drivers, we handle every kind of NYC paratransit case.
Wheelchair securement failures
Missing or improperly fastened tie-downs let a wheelchair tip, slide, or roll during transit — one of the most common and preventable paratransit injuries.
Lift and ramp malfunctions
Drops from wheelchair lifts, collapsing ramps, and pinching mechanisms cause serious injuries during boarding and exit.
Sudden stops and aggressive driving
Hard braking, sharp turns, and speeding throw seated and unsecured riders forward, causing head, neck, and spine injuries.
Slip, trip, and fall while boarding
Slippery steps, broken handrails, and drivers who pull away too soon leave riders to fall at the curb or in the doorway.
Driver inattention and distraction
Texting, phone use, and inattentive driving by paratransit operators put medically fragile passengers at extra risk.
Collisions with other vehicles
Rear-end, intersection, and lane-change crashes involving the Access-A-Ride vehicle and another driver — often with overlapping insurance.
Pedestrian drop-off accidents
Riders dropped off in traffic lanes, behind double-parked vehicles, or far from a safe curb cut can be struck or fall before reaching the sidewalk.
Failure to assist disabled passengers
Federal and MTA rules require drivers to help riders board, exit, and secure themselves — and failing to do so can constitute negligence.
Improper route or unsafe vehicle condition
Worn tires, broken seatbelts, faulty brakes, and poorly maintained Access-A-Ride vehicles cause crashes that should never have happened.
Common Access-A-Ride accident injuries
Paratransit riders are often older or have pre-existing conditions, so even a "minor" incident can lead to serious harm.
Traumatic brain injuries
Head strikes against partitions, windows, or wheelchair frames can cause concussions and lasting cognitive impairment.
Spinal cord and back injuries
Herniated discs, vertebral fractures, and aggravation of prior back conditions are common after sudden stops and unsecured falls.
Hip fractures
Falls during boarding, exiting, or while unsecured in transit frequently lead to hip fractures that require surgery and long rehabilitation.
Broken arms, wrists, and shoulders
Riders instinctively brace during a crash or fall, fracturing the upper extremities and tearing rotator cuffs.
Knee and leg injuries
Crush injuries from a tipped wheelchair, ligament tears from a fall, and impact injuries from a sudden stop.
Soft-tissue and whiplash injuries
Neck strain, back strain, and joint sprains from being jolted while seated or improperly secured.
Lacerations and bruising
Cuts and contusions from contact with grab bars, partitions, lifts, and other rigid surfaces inside the vehicle.
Aggravation of pre-existing conditions
Many Access-A-Ride riders have underlying medical conditions, and New York law allows full recovery when a crash makes those conditions worse.
Wrongful death
When a paratransit crash or fall is fatal, surviving family can recover for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
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Who is responsible when I'm hurt as an Access-A-Ride passenger?
Access-A-Ride is operated by the MTA New York City Transit Paratransit Division, but the trips themselves are run by private contracted carriers and broker dispatchers. Depending on what went wrong, responsibility can fall on the driver, the contracted carrier company, the broker, the MTA, or a third-party driver who hit your vehicle. We investigate every layer of the operation so the correct defendants are named and no insurance policy is left on the table.
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Do I have to file a Notice of Claim against the MTA?
Yes — claims involving the MTA, New York City Transit, or its paratransit operation require a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident, and the lawsuit must usually be filed within one year and 90 days. Missing that 90-day window can end your case before it starts, which is why injured paratransit riders should speak with a lawyer immediately rather than waiting to see how their injuries develop.
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I was injured because the lift or wheelchair securement failed — can I sue?
Yes. Lift malfunctions, unsecured wheelchairs, missing tie-downs, and sudden stops while a rider is unsecured are among the most common causes of Access-A-Ride injuries. These claims involve the driver's training, the carrier's maintenance records, and sometimes the manufacturer of the lift or restraint system. We pursue every responsible party, including product-liability claims when defective equipment caused the harm.
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What if my Access-A-Ride vehicle was hit by another driver?
When a third-party driver causes the crash, you typically have two claims — one against the at-fault driver and one against the Access-A-Ride operator if their driver also contributed (for example, by failing to secure you, braking unreasonably, or following too closely). Paratransit passengers also have access to no-fault benefits through the vehicle they were riding in, which pay medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault.
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How long do I have to file an Access-A-Ride accident claim?
Against private parties, the personal-injury statute of limitations in New York is generally three years. Against the MTA or a public entity, the deadlines are dramatically shorter — a Notice of Claim within 90 days and suit within one year and 90 days. Wrongful-death claims have their own deadlines. Because paratransit cases almost always involve a public entity, you should not wait to consult a lawyer.
Offices across NYC
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Brooklyn Midwood
1213 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11229
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Brooklyn Flatbush
282 Flatbush Ave, Suite 2
Brooklyn, NY 11217
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Queens
80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 5001
Kew Gardens, NY 11415
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The Bronx
225B East 149th Street
Bronx, NY 10451