Bus Accident Lawyer California
Bus accidents can leave you dealing with serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and stressful claims against transit agencies or insurance companies. With 16+ years of experience, our experienced bus accident attorneys at Saeedian Law Group represent bus accident victims across California, standing up to public entities and private bus companies to fight for the compensation you deserve. If you were injured in a bus accident, contact us today for a free consultation and let our experienced attorneys protect your rights.
What Does California Law Say About Bus Accident Claims?
Bus accidents in California involve unique legal challenges that can affect your ability to recover compensation. For instance, for a valid bus accident claim, you must file within the official deadline, known as statute of limitations.
- The statute of limitations for car accidents in California (including bus accident cases) is generally two years from the date of the accident, for personal injury claims.
- If you’re filing for property damage, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident.
- If a public transit bus is involved, you must submit a government claim within six months, as provided by the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA).
- If you don’t file a bus accident lawsuit within these deadlines, you may lose your right to sue, and that means you cannot seek compensation anymore.
California also follows comparative fault rules, which means your compensation may be reduced if you are partly responsible for the accident. Moreover, commercial buses are required to carry substantial liability insurance, often $5 million or more for large passenger vehicles. Yet negotiating with transit agencies and insurance companies is rarely straightforward.
That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced bus accident lawyer. Our California bus accident attorneys at Saeedian Law Group are here to guide you through filing deadlines, establish liability, negotiate settlement amounts, and represent you in court to maximize your compensation so you can focus on recovery.
How Our Bus Crash Lawyers Can Help
Facing a bus accident claim can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries, financial stress, and aggressive insurance tactics. Our legal team steps in immediately to protect your rights and guide you through every stage of the process with clarity and confidence.
Investigate Every Detail
We carefully gather evidence, interview witnesses, review footage, and work with experts to build a strong case.
Maximize Your Compensation
From medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering and future medical treatment costs, we calculate all damages and fight to ensure you get every dollar you deserve.
Handle Insurance Pressure
Our personal injury lawyers are experts in settlement negotiations, so we protect you from lowball offers and deal directly with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
Navigate Complex Laws
We manage deadlines, government claim requirements under the California Tort Claims Act, and liability rules so your case stays on track.
Take the Case to Court if Needed
If insurers refuse to be fair, our California bus accident lawyers are fully prepared to fight for you in court to ensure fair compensation.
Support Beyond Legal Advice
Beyond the court, our personal injury lawyers are here for guidance, resources, and peace of mind during this stressful time. We help you access medical care, understand your options, and make informed decisions during recovery.
No Upfront Fees
You don’t pay attorney fees unless we win, so our success is tied to yours.
Tailored Strategies for Every Case
Every bus accident is unique, so we customize our approach based on your injuries, evidence, and the type of bus involved.
Bus Accident Cases We Handle in California
Bus accidents in California happen in many different ways, and each type requires a unique approach to proving liability and securing compensation. Our California bus accident attorneys handle a wide range of cases, giving you experienced guidance no matter what kind of bus was involved.
Public Transportation Bus Accidents (MTA, City Buses)
Collisions involving city buses can cause widespread injuries, especially in major areas like Los Angeles where LA Metro buses serve over 800,000 daily riders. We investigate driver negligence, unsafe bus operations, and government liability rules to build a strong claim.
School Bus Accidents
School bus crashes can lead to devastating bus accident injuries for children and families. We work quickly to investigate the cause, hold responsible parties accountable, and navigate the strict government claim deadlines that apply.
Charter Bus Accidents
Private charter buses often travel long distances, increasing risks related to bus driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or speeding. We examine company safety records, driver logs, and maintenance reports to establish negligence.
Greyhound/Long-Distance Bus Accidents
Long-haul buses operate on highways where high-speed crashes can cause severe injuries. We dig into federal regulations, driver rest requirements, and black-box data to uncover exactly what went wrong.
Accidents Caused by Reckless or Drunk Drivers
In 2023, over 1300 people died in alcohol-involved vehicle accidents in California. That’s a staggering 55% increase from 2014. When reckless or impaired drivers cause bus accidents, our bus crash lawyers pursue maximum compensation from every liable party and explore punitive damages where applicable.
Why You Should Not Face a Bus Accident Case Alone
Handling a bus accident claim without legal representation can leave you exposed to serious financial, legal, and procedural risks. Even a small mistake early in the process can significantly reduce your compensation or jeopardize your entire case.
Lowball Settlements
Insurance companies often offer far less than you deserve when you don’t have a lawyer pushing back.
Missed Deadlines
California’s strict filing deadlines, especially when government entities are involved, can cost you your entire claim if missed.
Uncovered Liabilities
Without proper investigation, you may fail to identify other responsible parties apart from bus drivers, reducing your compensation drastically.
Overlooked Damages
Many victims underestimate long-term medical costs, future income losses, and non-economic damages.
Court Confusion
Navigating hearings, motions, and evidentiary rules alone can weaken your case and increase the chance of losing.
Let’s Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
That’s why having our experienced bus accident attorneys at Saeedian Law Group on your side makes all the difference. Our attorneys know how to counter insurance tactics, meet every deadline, uncover hidden liabilities, and document the full extent of your damages. We fight aggressively in and out of court to protect your rights, secure maximum compensation, and guide you with clarity at every step. Reach out to us today for a free case review
FAQs
Our seasoned bus accident lawyers with over 16 years of experience have provided comprehensive answers to help you understand your rights, timelines, and what to expect during the claims process.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Bus Accident in California?
There is no fixed average because settlements depend on factors like injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and clarity of fault. However, severe injuries from bus crashes can lead to high-value claims because buses carry more passengers and create greater impact force. Our attorneys can help calculate the full value of your damages.
What are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents in California?
Bus accidents occur due to bus drivers’ negligence, distracted driving, speeding, mechanical failures, poor bus maintenance, or unsafe road conditions. Other common causes include collisions at intersections, reckless driving by other motorists, and impaired driving. Understanding the cause is crucial for building a strong car accident, bus accident, or personal injury case.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a California Bus Accident?
Liability may fall on the bus driver, the bus company, a government agency, maintenance contractors, bus manufacturers (in cases of defective vehicles) or even other vehicle drivers. In some cases, multiple parties share responsibility. California’s comparative negligence laws allow claims even when fault is divided.
Who Can File a Bus Accident Claim?
Anyone injured in a bus accident, including passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists can pursue compensation. If the accident was fatal, family members of the deceased person can file a wrongful death claim. The key requirement is proving that someone else’s negligence contributed to the crash. In some cases, multiple parties may file claims if several victims were harmed.
What are the Most Common Bus Accident Injuries in California?
Bus accident victims often suffer injuries such as fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe soft-tissue damage due to the size and force of buses. Passengers are especially vulnerable because many buses lack seatbelts. These injuries can lead to long-term medical care and higher compensation needs.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in California?
As mentioned earlier, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a government agency is involved, such as an MTA or city bus, you must file an administrative claim within six months. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation.
Can I Sue the Bus Company if I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes. Under California’s comparative fault rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. Your payment is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if the Bus Accident Was Caused by a Government Entity?
You must follow California’s strict government claims process, starting with filing a notice of claim within six months. If the claim is denied, you then have a limited time to file a lawsuit. These cases move faster and involve more rules, so legal representation is especially important.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer in California?
Most California bus accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees. They only get paid if they win your case. This makes legal representation accessible even for victims facing financial pressure after a crash.