Part 1 of this article series discusses how injured passengers on buses may recover their medical expenses as a result of a bus accident. Specifically, an injured passenger on a bus who has an applicable car insurance policy (i.e., personal, family, parents, etc.) will make a claim under the Extended Medical Expense Benefits coverage in the policy to pay for the medical treatments.
Part 2 of this article, which is below, will discuss what happens if the injured bus passenger does not have any applicable car insurance policies with Extended Medical Expense Benefits coverage and whether he/she can file a claim under the bus’s insurance policy.
NJ Bus Accident Law – Injured Passengers do not have PIP Coverage
If injured bus accident passengers do not have applicable car insurance policies with Extended Medical Expense Benefits coverage, then they have to look to the bus company to pay for their medical expenses.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. Section 17:28-1.6, the owner, registered owner or operator of a motor bus shall maintain medical expense benefits coverage for passengers who sustain injury while riding the motor bus regardless of fault. This type of medical coverage is called Medical Expense Benefits Coverage (MEB) or also known as Bus-PIP.
However, not all buses are required to carry Medical Expense Benefits coverage to pay for injured passengers’ medical expenses. Only “motor buses” are required to maintain Bus-PIP. New Jersey Statute Annotated Section 17:28-1.5 (e) defines “motor bus” and lists the types of buses the definition DOES NOT include, such as:
- school buses
- NJ Transit buses
- cabs or taxis
- limos
- hotel shuttles/buses
Please note, this list is not complete. For a full list of buses not included in the definition, see N.J.S.A. 17:28-1.5.
Therefore, bus passengers who are injured while riding a NJ Transit bus and do not have applicable car insurance policies with Extended Medical Expense Benefits coverage will not be able seek medical coverage from NJ Transit.
The injured passengers will then have to use their health insurance to pay for the medical expenses. Naturally, there will be co-pays for doctors’ visits and medication, and these expenses will be part of the damages presented in a lawsuit filed against the bus company and/or driver at fault.
Suggested Reading: Injured in a NJ Car Accident? – The Basics of Medical Benefit (PIP) Claims
New Jersey Car and Truck Accident Lawyer with Over 35 Years of Experience. Free Consultations
If you were in a bus accident on a New Jersey roadway, feel free to contact Phil T. Ciprietti, Esquire for a free initial consultation. 800.281.8695
Mr. Ciprietti places the interests of his clients first in all matters. In addition to helping residents of New Jersey in all types of accident cases, Mr. Ciprietti also represents residents of other states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia who are injured in car, truck or bus accidents while driving on New Jersey roadways such as, the NJ Turnpike, AC Expressway, Interstate 295 or the Garden State Parkway.
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