Queens, NY (October 13, 2026) – One person was hurt in an accident involving a small school bus in Ridgewood, Queens, according to the FDNY. The accident happened on the morning of October 13.
The details available so far do not identify the person who was hurt or describe the injury. They also do not say whether other vehicles were involved, where in Ridgewood the accident happened, or whether students were aboard the bus.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
School Bus Crashes in New York: Key Facts and First Steps
NHTSA counted 1,069 deaths in school-transportation-related crashes nationwide from 2015 to 2024. Seventy percent of the people killed were occupants of other vehicles, and occupants of school vehicles made up 119 deaths, or 11 percent. The figures come from the agency’s school-transportation crash report.
Closer to home, NYC DOT recorded 57 traffic deaths in Queens in 2025, down from 74 in 2024, in its January 2026 announcement.
- Get checked the same day and keep the discharge papers. If a child was aboard, tell the pediatrician about the crash even when the child seems fine, since symptoms can surface later.
- Write down the bus company name, bus number, route, and time. Then ask the school or the operator for the incident report number and the name of its insurer.
- Photograph injuries, the vehicles, and the scene, and collect names and numbers from other riders, parents, and witnesses.
- Watch a child for changes in sleep, appetite, mood, or schoolwork over the following days, and report them to the doctor.
- Send written notice to the no-fault insurer within 30 days of the crash. If you are unsure which insurer applies, ask the bus operator for its policy details.
- Keep a copy of anything the school or bus operator asks you to sign. Hold off on releases or recorded statements until you understand them.
Your Legal Questions After a School Bus Crash in Queens, NY
A school bus claim in New York can involve a private operator, other drivers, and a public agency at the same time. These five questions come up first.
Who can be held responsible for a school bus crash in New York?
It depends on what investigators find. The bus driver, the bus operator, another motorist, or a public agency that oversees the service can each share responsibility.
Can I recover if no one has said who caused the crash?
Yes. Fault is decided from evidence such as camera footage, vehicle data, and witness accounts, and a claim can begin before any agency names a cause.
What if the city or another public agency shares responsibility?
A 90-day notice of claim applies under Gen. Mun. Law § 50-e, and for an October 13, 2026 crash that date is January 11, 2027. Late notice needs court permission and is not guaranteed.
What if fault is shared?
Shared fault changes the outcome. For covered motor vehicle injury claims, CPLR § 1411(b) bars recovery when a claimant’s fault exceeds the combined fault of the defendants.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
Three years from the crash under CPLR § 214. For an October 13, 2026 accident, that is October 13, 2029, and missing it usually bars the claim.
Speak With a Queens Bus Accident Lawyer at Frekhtman & Associates
Frekhtman & Associates has represented injured New Yorkers for more than 25 years from offices in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Russian-language services are available, and we meet clients at home or in the hospital when travel is hard.
In Queens, our Queens bus accident lawyers take on claims against bus operators, private drivers, and public agencies. We know the short-notice deadlines that apply when a public entity is involved.
When a child is hurt, a parent or guardian brings the claim on the child’s behalf, and we explain each step before anything is filed.
Founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman is rated 9.8 out of 10 (Superb) on Avvo and was named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 in 2017. The firm also holds a 4.8-star Google rating across more than 155 reviews.
Before you pick a Queens firm for a bus accident claim, compare what Frekhtman & Associates puts on the table:
- $900M+ recovered for injured New York clients across more than 25 years of practice
- $69,225,000 auto accident jury verdict, one of the largest in New York State history
- Free 24/7 consultations, including home and hospital visits for clients unable to travel
- Personal callbacks from founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman
- Russian-language services available
- Zero fees unless we win your case
- Queens office in Forest Hills, serving families across the borough
Our Queens office at 100-09 Metropolitan Ave in Forest Hills, NY, is the closest to Ridgewood. Call 866-821-0718, visit us in person, or send the details through our contact form.
