Bus & Public Transit
A subtype of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Start your free evaluation
A licensed California lawyer responds right away · free consult, nothing to pay until you're compensated
About Bus & Public Transit
Bus accidents may involve public transit (Metro, city bus) or private operators (tour buses, school buses). Claims against government-operated buses require filing a Government Tort Claim within 6 months of the accident — far shorter than the standard statute of limitations. Bus accidents may injure multiple passengers, creating complex multi-party litigation. Acting early is the best way to protect your rights.
What insurance companies won't tell you
The first offer is usually low
Adjusters' first offers are often on the low side, and many people accept without knowing. Before you sign anything, it's worth hearing a lawyer out.
Your calls may be recorded
Anything you say to the insurance company can be recorded and affect your claim. Once you have a lawyer, the insurer generally has to communicate with your lawyer instead.
Delay is a common tactic
Medical bills keep growing while they wait for you to get anxious. A lawyer keeps following up and applying pressure so your claim doesn't stall.
What to do right now
Don't talk to the other driver's insurance alone
The other side's adjuster aims to pay as little as possible. Until you have a lawyer, you don't have to give a recorded statement or sign anything.
Photograph everything at the scene with your phone
Vehicles, road conditions, injuries, the other driver's plate and insurance — photos and video are the strongest evidence.
See a doctor soon, even if you feel fine
Injuries can show up days later, and timely medical records matter a great deal to your claim.
Keep every receipt and report
Medical bills, the police report, proof of missed work — every document can affect your compensation.
Talk to a lawyer as early as you can
The earlier a lawyer gets involved, the more completely the evidence is preserved. The consultation is free.
Your call is answered directly by the named member-attorney team — never sold to third parties.
Frequently asked questions
How is a bus-accident claim different from a car accident?
Two big ways: public transit (Metro, city buses, school districts) is a government entity — you must first file an administrative claim within 6 months (Gov. Code §911.2), far shorter than the usual 2 years; and buses are common carriers owing passengers the utmost duty of care (Civ. Code §2100).
I fell inside a bus during hard braking — can I claim?
Yes. Common carriers must use the utmost care for passenger safety, and standing passengers thrown by hard braking or sharp turns is a classic recoverable scenario. Note the route, time, and bus number, and get medical care promptly.
A school-bus crash injured my child — anything special?
A minor's ordinary deadline is usually tolled until adulthood, but the 6-month government claim deadline against a school district still applies strictly. Missing that window is the most common mistake in these cases.
Do the same rules apply to private buses (tour, shuttle, intercity)?
Private carriers owe the same heightened common-carrier duty, but the government claim process doesn't apply — generally a 2-year deadline, and they typically carry large commercial policies. Whether the operator is public or private determines your deadlines and procedure.
General information, not legal advice.
Other cases in this category
Motor Vehicle Accidents lawyers by city
Get a free case evaluation
Injured in California? Share a few details and we'll connect you with a California attorney.