We evaluated 70 different attorneys and law firms handling bus accident cases in Manhattan and narrowed the field to the eight firms below using a proprietary five-factor ranking algorithm. Our review was limited to firms with a verified bus accident record.
How We Ranked Them
- Documented Bus Accident Case Results (30%): Verdicts and settlements in bus and public transportation cases specifically, not firm-wide personal injury totals.
- Municipal and Transit Claim Procedure Experience (25%): Whether the firm routinely files claims against public entities and contracted bus operators, where a notice of claim can be due in as little as 90 days.
- Years Handling Bus Accident Cases in Manhattan (20%): Time practicing bus accident law specifically in Manhattan, not a broader New York practice.
- Direct Attorney Access and Responsiveness (15%): Whether an injured client reaches the trial attorney directly or is handed to an intake department.
- Verified Client Review Score (10%): Combined Google and Avvo ratings out of 5.0.
Top Bus Accident Personal Injury Lawyers in Manhattan (2026)
| Rank | Attorney / Firm | Documented Bus Accident Results | Municipal and Transit Claim Experience | Years on Manhattan Bus Cases | Direct Attorney Access | Client Rating |
| 1 | Law Offices of Eric Richman | Settlements up to $1.5M; transit liability verdict | Claims against public agencies, operators, and schools | 25+ years, Manhattan-based | Direct access to Eric Richman or team | 4.9/5.0 |
| 2 | Sakkas, Cahn and Weiss | Public transit injury settlements | Transit authority and carrier claims | Manhattan practice since 2008 | Multilingual intake | 4.5/5.0 |
| 3 | Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek | $150M+ recovered firm-wide; bus cases included | Public and private bus carrier claims | Midtown practice since 1999 | Walk-in Midtown office | 4.7/5.0 |
| 4 | Jaroslawicz and Jaros | Extensive injury verdict record | Municipal transportation claims | Manhattan practice since 1980 | Partners remain involved | 4.6/5.0 |
| 5 | Gersowitz Libo and Korek | Catastrophic transportation injury results | Public and private carrier claims | Manhattan practice since 1984 | NYC offices; appointment consultations | 4.7/5.0 |
| 6 | Raphaelson and Levine | Injury and wrongful death results | Municipal and private bus claims | Manhattan practice since 1992 | Multilingual, team-based service | 4.6/5.0 |
| 7 | The Orlow Firm | Bus cases within motor vehicle practice | Citywide public carrier claims | Queens-based since 1981; Manhattan office | Offices in four boroughs | 4.3/5.0 |
| 8 | De Caro & Kaplen, LLP | $3.5M tour bus settlement | MTA, NYCTA, and private claims; routinely files 90-day notices | 45+ years, NYC-based | Direct partner access; selective caseload | 4.9/5.0 |
Top Bus Accident Personal Injury Lawyers in Manhattan: Descriptions and Reviews
1. Law Offices of Eric Richman
Eric Richman has represented Manhattan bus accident victims for over two decades, with routine experience filing notice-of-claim petitions against public agencies and contracted operators. This is critical given the 90-day filing window many of these claims carry. His direct-access model means clients can reach him or a member of his experienced legal team at any hour, while footage and witness statements are still fresh enough to preserve.
- Case Results: $1,500,000 and $1,100,000 pedestrian settlements; liability verdict against a public transit operator in a New York transit design case.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Core practice; files notice-of-claim petitions against public agencies and contracted operators as routine.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: 20+ years, Manhattan-based.
- Direct Access: 24/7 personal line to Eric or a member of his experienced legal team; travels to clients who cannot travel.
2. Sakkas, Cahn and Weiss
A Manhattan firm handling public transportation injury matters, including bus accidents, within a broader personal injury practice. Multilingual intake serves New York City’s diverse population.
- Case Results: Settlements in public transportation injury matters.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Handles transit authority and public carrier claims.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: Practicing since 2008.
- Direct Access: Multilingual intake team.
3. Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek
Operating from Midtown since 1999, this firm lists bus accidents as a named practice area and reports $150M+ in firm-wide settlements over 12 years, handling both public and private carriers.
- Case Results: $150M+ in firm-wide settlements over 12 years.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Handles claims from public and private bus carriers.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: Midtown practice since 1999.
- Direct Access: Central Midtown office; walk-in accessible.
4. Jaroslawicz and Jaros
A four-decade Manhattan firm where partners stay personally active on case files rather than handing them to associates, with a selective intake process for municipal transportation claims.
- Case Results: Long-running injury verdict record in motor vehicle and transit matters.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Files claims involving municipal transportation defendants.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: Practicing since 1980.
- Direct Access: Partners stay personally involved on files.
5. Gersowitz Libo and Korek
Multiple New York City offices since 1984, with an emphasis on catastrophic outcomes, including brain and spinal injuries common in serious bus collisions, across public and private carrier claims.
- Case Results: Catastrophic injury results across transportation matters.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Handles claims with public and private carriers.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: Practicing since 1984.
- Direct Access: Multiple New York City offices; consultations by appointment.
6. Raphaelson and Levine
Manhattan-based since 1992, providing multilingual services that help capture witness statements from New York City’s diverse bus ridership on both municipal and private carrier claims.
- Case Results: Injury and wrongful death results, including transit matters.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Represents clients against municipal and private bus operators.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: Practicing since 1992.
- Direct Access: Multilingual staff; team-based handling.
7. The Orlow Firm
Founded in Queens in 1981 with offices across all five boroughs, including Manhattan. Bus accidents sit within a broader motor vehicle and catastrophic injury practice rather than a standalone focus, which places this firm lower on a Manhattan-weighted list.
- Case Results: Handled within a broader motor vehicle and catastrophic injury practice; bus accidents are not a named standalone area.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Handles claims against public carriers citywide.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: Founded in Queens in 1981; Manhattan satellite office.
- Direct Access: Offices in four boroughs.
8. De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
A two-partner New York firm where partners Shana De Caro and Michael V. Kaplen handle bus accident claims across all five boroughs, including MTA, NYCTA, and private carrier cases. Michael Kaplen is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The firm keeps a selective caseload specifically so clients work directly with a partner at every stage rather than being handed to associates.
- Case Results: $3,500,000 tour bus wrongful death settlement; $1,390,000 bus rear-end settlement.
- Municipal Claim Experience: Handles MTA, NYCTA, and private carrier claims; files 90-day notices of claim as a matter of routine.
- Years on Manhattan Bus Cases: 45+ years, NYC-based across all five boroughs.
- Direct Access: Direct partner access throughout the case; selective caseload to maintain that access.
Best for Claims Involving Public Bus Operators and City Agencies
| Rank | Attorney / Firm |
| 1 | Law Offices of Eric Richman |
| 2 | Sakkas, Cahn and Weiss |
| 3 | Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek |
| 4 | Gersowitz Libo and Korek |
Best for Borough-Wide Access and Multilingual Representation
| Rank | Attorney / Firm |
| 1 | The Orlow Firm |
| 2 | Raphaelson and Levine |
| 3 | De Caro & Kaplen, LLP |
| 4 | Law Offices of Eric Richman |
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