Victim of a bus accident?

If a Los Angeles bus accident injured you, the process for getting compensation is entirely different from a standard car crash claim. Many buses in the city are run by government agencies, like the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). This means a separate set of rules and much shorter deadlines are in play — something a car accident attorney can help you navigate.

You have the right to seek payment for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence—whether it’s the bus driver, the transit authority, or another driver. 

Our firm handles these specific types of claims. As Los Angeles bus accident attorneys, we know the last thing on your mind during recovery is keeping track of legal deadlines. If you have questions about what happened, we’re here to give you clear answers. 

Call Sweet James Accident Attorneys for a free review of your case at (800) 900-0000.

Key Takeaways for Los Angeles Bus Accident Claims

1. A six-month deadline may apply to your case. If your accident involved a public bus, like one operated by LA Metro, you must file a formal notice of claim with the government agency within six months, or you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever.
2. Multiple parties could be responsible. Liability might not just rest with the driver; it could extend to the transit company for poor maintenance, a parts manufacturer for a defective product, or another driver on the road.
3. Insurance companies are not on your side. Whether dealing with a private insurer or a government claims administrator, their primary responsibility is to their bottom line, which means they will look for reasons to pay out as little as possible.

Why Trust Sweet James with Your Bus Accident Claim?

When you’re dealing with a serious injury, you need a law firm with a history of holding large corporations and government agencies accountable. Our record is built on a deep commitment to the people we represent.

With a 98% success rate, we have recovered over $2 billion for our clients. Our founder, James Bergener, once worked for insurance companies, giving our team firsthand knowledge of their tactics. We use that insight to build strong cases for our clients.

We level the playing field. You get direct, personal attention from our team. We manage the paperwork, the investigators, and the negotiations so you can put your energy toward your health.

• No Win, No Fee: You pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
• Direct Communication: You will have a clear line of communication with our team, so you’re never left wondering about the status of your case.
• Proven Results: We have secured multi-million dollar results for our clients, including a $17.4 million jury verdict and a $6.5 million settlement for a pedestrian accident.

Our Los Angeles office (16133 Ventura Blvd Suite 700), based in the Financial District near Downtown LA, is here to help residents across the county.

What Are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Los Angeles?

Bus accidents are rarely simple. They happen for many reasons, and figuring out the cause is the first step in identifying who is responsible. We frequently see accidents that come from:

• Driver Error: This is the most common reason and includes a range of behaviors. A driver who is tired from long shifts, distracted by a conversation, or fails to follow traffic laws puts everyone at risk.
• Inadequate Training: Operating a bus in dense city traffic requires specific skills. When transit companies don’t train their drivers properly on safety procedures or defensive driving, the chance of an accident increases.
• Poor Maintenance: Buses are complex machines that need constant upkeep. A failure to properly inspect and maintain brakes, tires, or steering systems can lead to mechanical failures on the road.
• Company Negligence: Sometimes the fault lies with the bus company’s policies. Unrealistic schedules might pressure drivers to speed or drive recklessly to stay on time.
• Other Drivers on the Road: In many cases, the bus driver is not at fault. Another driver may cut off the bus, run a red light, or swerve into its lane, causing the bus driver to lose control or make a sudden stop that injures passengers.
• Road or Weather Conditions: Poorly maintained roads with large potholes or confusing layouts can contribute to a crash. Sudden rain, though less common in Los Angeles, can make roads slick and reduce visibility.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident?

Unlike a typical car accident, a bus crash might involve several responsible parties. You could be dealing with a government agency and its legal team, a private corporation, or even a parts manufacturer. Each requires a different legal strategy.

Our role is to investigate every angle of the accident to identify all potential sources of compensation. Depending on the details, responsibility may lie with one or more of the following:

• The Bus Driver: If the driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent, they may be held personally responsible.
• The Transit Company or Government Agency: The employer is usually responsible for the actions of its employees. This means a public entity like LA Metro or a private company like Greyhound could be liable for a driver’s negligence, poor maintenance, or insufficient training.
• Another Motorist: If another driver’s actions caused the accident, your claim would proceed against their insurance policy, much like a standard car accident claim.
• The Bus Manufacturer: If a defective part, like faulty brakes or a flawed tire, caused the crash, the manufacturer of the bus or that specific part could be held liable under product liability law.
• Maintenance Companies: Some transit agencies outsource vehicle maintenance. If a third-party company failed to service the bus properly, they could be held responsible for a resulting mechanical failure.

How Is Fault Decided in a Bus Accident?

To build a strong case, we gather specific evidence to show what happened and who was responsible. Insurance companies and government agencies won’t pay a claim without convincing proof. Our investigation typically involves:

• On-Board Cameras: Most modern transit buses are equipped with multiple cameras. This footage provides an unbiased view of the driver’s actions, the behavior of other motorists, and what happened inside the bus during the crash.
• Event Data Recorders (EDRs): Similar to an airplane’s “black box,” an EDR records technical data about the bus in the moments before a collision. This includes the bus’s speed, braking patterns, and steering inputs.
• Maintenance and Inspection Logs: We can request the bus’s full maintenance history. These records show whether the transit authority followed safety protocols or if a known mechanical issue was ignored.
• Witness Statements: Passengers on the bus, pedestrians, and other drivers who saw the accident can provide valuable perspectives. We work to contact witnesses and record their accounts before memories fade, and a pedestrian accident attorney can help ensure this evidence is preserved and used effectively.

What Types of Compensation Can You Pursue?

The goal of a personal injury claim is to provide financial resources to cover the losses you suffered. These are divided into different categories of damages. Our team documents every loss to pursue the maximum compensation available under California law.

Economic Damages

These are the direct financial losses with a clear dollar amount. We gather receipts, bills, and employment records to prove these costs.

• Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to future surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you’ve lost while unable to work.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your old job or earning the same amount of money, you can be compensated for this future loss of income.

Non-Economic Damages

These losses are more personal and don’t come with a price tag, but they are just as real. We work to show how the accident has impacted your quality of life.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress the accident and your injuries have caused.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This applies if your injuries stop you from participating in hobbies, activities, or family life that you previously enjoyed.

How Your Own Actions Might Affect Compensation

California uses a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This legal concept means your compensation may be reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault for the accident. Insurance companies look for any evidence to argue you were partially to blame, which reduces what they have to pay. Our job is to keep them accountable and ensure no amount of blame is unfairly placed on you.

The Six-Month Clock: The Challenge of Suing a Government Entity

If your accident involved a public bus operated by an entity like LA Metro, you must follow a special set of rules. You cannot just file a lawsuit—you need to get permission from the government first.

The Government Claim Requirement

Before you can sue a government agency in California, you must first file a formal “notice of claim.” This is a formal document that puts the government entity on alert that you intend to seek compensation for your injuries. This process is strict, and any mistake on the forms can jeopardize your case.

A Dangerously Short Deadline

You have just six months from the date of the injury to file this claim. This is a much shorter deadline than the standard two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in California.

If you miss this six-month deadline, you almost always lose your right to pursue compensation from that government entity. The government will review your claim and either accept or reject it. Only after it has been rejected can you proceed with filing a lawsuit.

Los Angeles Bus Accident Hotspots

While a bus accident can happen anywhere, the dense traffic and complex intersections of Los Angeles create areas with higher risks. Based on traffic patterns and public data, accidents happen more frequently in:

• Congested Downtown Intersections: Areas like the Figueroa Corridor or intersections around Pershing Square see a high volume of both bus and vehicle traffic, increasing the chances of a collision.
• Major Boulevards: Streets like Wilshire Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Sepulveda Boulevard are main arteries for many bus lines. The constant stopping and starting, combined with heavy car traffic, can lead to rear-end collisions and pedestrian accidents.
• Freeway On-Ramps and Off-Ramps: Commuter and charter buses using the I-10, the 110, or the 405 face challenges when merging with fast-moving freeway traffic.

What to Expect from the Transit Authority’s Claims Administrator

Whether you are dealing with a private insurance company or a government claims administrator, they operate as a business. This means they must balance paying valid claims with protecting their financial interests. 

Here is a look at what to expect:

• They Will Conduct a Thorough Investigation: Their investigators will review the accident report, inspect the vehicles, interview witnesses, and look for any information that could suggest you were partly at fault.
• They Might Ask for a Recorded Statement: You are not required to provide one. These statements can be used later to find inconsistencies in your story. It’s best to let your lawyer handle all communications.

An Early Offer Is Rarely a Fair Offer: Some insurers may make a quick settlement offer before the true extent of your injuries is known. It may be tempting to accept money when bills are piling up, but these offers are frequently far less than what you need for long-term care.

Take the First Step in Protecting Your Rights

You don’t have to face a government legal team or a corporate insurance company by yourself. Having someone on your side who understands the rules and deadlines can make all the difference.

The path forward starts with a simple conversation. Call Sweet James Accident Attorneys at (800) 900-0000 to discuss your case with our team at no cost.