Raimondo Law Firm wins $900,000 settlement in Long Island bus crash case

The Raimondo Law Firm secured a $900,000 settlement for a Long Island client who suffered serious neck injuries after a charter bus rear-ended a passenger vehicle. The case underscores how New York’s serious-injury threshold and medical proof shape recovery in no-fault claims.

Why it matters: - A $900,000 settlement can help cover the long-term costs of surgery, permanent hardware and lasting mobility limits after a serious crash. - The case also highlights how injured New Yorkers must clear the state’s no-fault serious-injury threshold before pursuing claims against at-fault drivers and companies.

What happened: - The Raimondo Law Firm, based in Lake Grove, N.Y., secured a $900,000 settlement for a client injured in a rear-end collision with a charter bus. - The client suffered serious neck injuries that required surgery and the placement of permanent hardware. - Attorney Michael A. Raimondo said the settlement reflects both the client’s injuries and the personal trauma caused by the crash.

The details: - The case alleged that the charter bus operator failed to maintain a safe following distance, keep the vehicle under control and avoid a foreseeable rear-end collision. - The firm said the size and weight difference between a charter bus and a passenger vehicle can cause disproportionate neck and spine trauma, even at low speeds. - New York Insurance Law §5102(d) requires injured claimants to show a serious injury before suing at-fault drivers, companies or government entities. - The law includes categories such as dismemberment, death, loss of fetus, significant disfigurement, fracture, permanent consequential limitation, permanent loss of use and significant limitation. - Medical proof can include MRI results, objective diagnostic findings and surgical records. - The firm said it also seeks police reports, witness statements, 911 and dispatch records, commercial vehicle maintenance and driver logs, and surveillance or dashcam footage. - The Raimondo Law Firm regularly works with orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, accident reconstruction experts and other professionals to support causation, treatment and prognosis. - The firm operates on contingency, with no upfront legal fees and no payment unless it wins a settlement or verdict. - The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. - New York generally gives victims three years to file claims against private citizens and businesses. - Claims against government entities come with stricter deadlines and procedural rules. - The firm advises accident victims to seek medical attention right away, document everything and avoid speaking directly with at-fault-party insurance representatives. - The Raimondo Law Firm says it has handled personal injury cases for more than 35 years and has more than 10,000 successful cases. - The firm serves Suffolk and Nassau counties, New York City and parts of Upstate New York. - The firm lists David J. Raimondo, Jon L. Raimondo and Michael A. Raimondo as its leading attorneys. - The firm’s website is the company’s announcement.

Between the lines: - Rear-end crashes involving commercial vehicles often turn on medical documentation and expert testimony, not just fault. - A strong settlement can also reflect the permanence of an injury, especially when surgery leaves hardware in place for life. - The firm’s release uses the case to reinforce a broader message: early medical care and careful evidence preservation can make or break a personal injury claim.

What's next: - Injured drivers in New York still need to act quickly because filing deadlines and evidence preservation can affect recovery. - The Raimondo Law Firm is encouraging accident victims to get medical care immediately, keep records and seek legal advice before dealing with insurers. - Clients can request a free case evaluation before moving forward.