On August 22, 2025, a tour bus traveling eastbound on the New York State Thruway rolled over near Pembroke, Genesee County. The crash claimed five lives and injured dozens more. Initial investigations revealed that many passengers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. For those who were unrestrained, the outcome was devastating. Several passengers were ejected from the bus, sustaining catastrophic injuries that included broken bones, traumatic head injuries, and spinal damage. While emergency responders acted quickly, the sheer number of serious bus accident injuries highlighted the importance of prevention over response.
Though legislation has been put in place to improve passenger safety earlier this year, injuries and fatalities continue to occur due to the number of riders deciding to skip the seatbelt. At Matera & Manley, LLP, we feel it’s our duty to educate our fellow Long Island residents on safety precautions that can mean the difference between life and death.
New Seatbelt Legislation in New York
In April 2025, New York enacted a long-overdue expansion of its occupant restraint laws, requiring passengers on charter buses to wear seatbelts when they are available. For years, lawmakers and safety experts had urged greater protection for bus passengers, citing data that clearly shows restraints save lives. The law is clear: if a charter bus has seatbelts, every rider must use them.
Despite this, compliance has been low. Many passengers still treat bus travel differently from car travel, assuming that the vehicle itself offers enough safety. The recent tragedy in Pembroke, NY, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks despite existing legislation.
Why Seatbelts Matter on Buses
Some riders may feel a false sense of security on larger buses, believing that size equals safety. But physics tells another story. In a rollover, unrestrained passengers can be thrown across the cabin or ejected from the bus. Seatbelts anchor passengers in place, reducing the chance of ejections and lessening the severity of bus accident injuries.
No one boards a bus expecting disaster. But the Pembroke crash serves as a wake-up call for all New Yorkers. Wearing a seatbelt on a bus is not just about following the law. It’s about ensuring you return home safely to your loved ones. Even if others on board choose not to buckle up, the choice to protect yourself is up to you.
Accountability and Legal Action for Bus Accident Injuries
When tragedies like the Pembroke rollover occur, questions of responsibility follow. Was the bus properly maintained? Was the driver fatigued? Were passengers warned about their duty to wear seatbelts under the new law?
The answers matter. Victims of bus accident injuries deserve a full investigation by a qualified personal injury attorney into what caused the crash and whether negligence played a role. In cases where safety rules are ignored or warnings are not communicated, liability may extend beyond the driver to the company operating the bus. In such situations, a dedicated law firm, such as Matera & Manley, LLP, can help victims pursue justice by investigating the circumstances of the crash, identifying liable parties, and pursuing rightful compensation for pain, suffering, and loss.
Matera & Manley, LLP: Fighting for Victims of Bus Crash Injuries
We hope you never have to experience the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. We encourage everyone to wear their seatbelts at all times to keep themselves and their families safe. However, accidents can happen, and when they do, we are here to help victims of bus crashes hold negligent parties accountable.
If you or a loved one were injured in a bus crash, contact Matera & Manley, LLP, to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys today. Together, we can fight for your rights, seek justice, and secure the compensation you deserve.
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