Bus Accident Attorneys

Specialized representation for victims of bus and public transit accidents

Overview

At Keosian Law LLP, our bus accident attorneys provide specialized legal representation for individuals injured in incidents involving public transit buses, school buses, tour buses, and private coach lines. We understand the complex legal issues that arise in cases involving common carriers and government entities throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

Bus accidents can result in serious injuries to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles. The sheer size and weight of commercial buses—often exceeding 25,000 pounds—means that collisions frequently cause catastrophic injuries or even wrongful death. Our experienced legal team has successfully handled numerous bus accident cases against both private and public entities.

Whether you were injured as a passenger on a Metro bus, hit by a tour bus while crossing the street, or involved in a school bus accident, our attorneys navigate the unique procedural requirements and governmental immunity issues that can complicate these claims to secure the compensation you deserve.

Types of Bus Accidents We Handle

• Public transit bus accidents (LA Metro, DASH, city buses)
• School bus collisions and student injuries
• Tour and charter bus crashes throughout Southern California
• Greyhound and intercity bus accidents
• Private shuttle and corporate bus incidents
• Airport transportation and hotel shuttle accidents
• Party bus and limousine bus crashes
• Rideshare shuttle service collisions
• Bus rollover accidents on highways and mountain roads

Common Causes & Establishing Liability

Bus accidents in Los Angeles are caused by a range of factors. Understanding the cause of the crash is essential to identifying the responsible parties and building a strong claim:

Driver Negligence

Bus drivers who speed, drive distracted, operate under fatigue, or fail to follow traffic laws put every passenger and nearby motorist at risk. As common carriers, bus operators owe the highest duty of care to passengers—even slight negligence can establish liability under California Civil Code Section 2100.

Inadequate Training & Supervision

Bus companies that fail to properly train drivers, conduct background checks, or enforce safety protocols can be held vicariously liable for accidents. This includes private tour companies, school districts, and public transit authorities that cut corners on driver qualification programs.

Mechanical Failures & Poor Maintenance

Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions, and other mechanical defects often result from inadequate maintenance schedules. Bus companies are required by federal and state regulations to maintain detailed inspection records. When maintenance failures cause accidents, both the bus company and maintenance contractor may be liable.

Third-Party Driver Negligence

Sometimes bus accidents are caused by other motorists who cut off buses, run red lights, or drive recklessly near transit stops. In these cases, the negligent third-party driver is liable, though the bus company's insurance may also come into play depending on the circumstances.

Our attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists and transportation safety experts to establish the precise chain of events and identify every liable party. For claims against government entities like LA Metro, we navigate the strict California Government Claims Act requirements within the six-month filing window.

What Compensation Covers

Bus accident victims are entitled to full compensation for all losses caused by the accident. Because buses carry many passengers, these cases often involve significant combined damages:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic care, prescription medications, and all future medical treatment necessitated by the accident.
• Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery, as well as diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or working at all.
• Pain & Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and loss of enjoyment of daily activities.
• Permanent Disability: Compensation for spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, or other conditions that result in lasting impairment.
• Wrongful Death: In fatal bus accidents, surviving family members may recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other wrongful death damages.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving egregious conduct—such as a bus company knowingly operating unsafe vehicles—California law allows punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

The Legal Process for Bus Accident Claims

Bus accident claims are among the most procedurally complex personal injury cases. Here is how Keosian Law handles bus accident litigation:

1. Free Case Evaluation: We review the details of your bus accident, identify the responsible parties, and explain the legal process—including critical government claim deadlines—at no cost.
2. Government Claim Filing: For accidents involving public transit (Metro, DASH, school buses), we file the mandatory government tort claim within the six-month deadline, meeting all statutory requirements.
3. Investigation & Evidence: We obtain bus surveillance camera footage, onboard data recorders, driver logs, maintenance records, dispatch communications, and witness statements before evidence is destroyed or overwritten.
4. Expert Analysis: We retain accident reconstruction engineers, transportation safety consultants, and medical experts to build a comprehensive case demonstrating liability and the full extent of your injuries.
5. Demand & Negotiation: We present a well-documented demand to the bus company, transit authority, or their insurers, backed by expert reports and comprehensive damage calculations.
6. Litigation & Trial: If fair compensation is not offered, we file suit and pursue your case aggressively through discovery, depositions, and trial in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Why Choose Keosian Law for Bus Accident Cases

Bus accident cases demand attorneys who understand the complex interplay of common carrier law, government liability, and transportation regulations. Here is why Los Angeles bus accident victims trust Keosian Law:

• Government Claims Experience: We have extensive experience filing tort claims against government transit agencies and navigating the procedural hurdles that bar many unrepresented claimants from recovering compensation.
• Common Carrier Law Knowledge: We leverage the heightened duty of care owed by common carriers to strengthen liability arguments and maximize recovery for injured bus passengers.
• Multi-Party Litigation: Bus accidents often involve multiple defendants—the driver, bus company, maintenance firm, government entity, and third-party drivers. We coordinate complex multi-party litigation effectively.
• No Fees or Costs Unless We Recover: No attorney fees or costs unless we recover for you.
• Proven Trial Lawyers: Insurance companies and government agencies know we prepare every case for trial, which results in better settlement offers and fairer outcomes for our clients.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, contact Keosian Law today for a free consultation. Time is critical—especially for claims against government transit agencies where the filing deadline is just six months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

Who can be held liable in a bus accident case?

• The bus driver for negligent operation
• The bus company or transit authority
• Government agencies (for public transit buses)
• Bus maintenance companies
• Bus or parts manufacturers (in defect cases)
• Other drivers who caused the accident

What special rules apply to claims against public transit agencies?

What is the 'common carrier' standard for buses?

What types of bus accidents does your firm handle?

What compensation is available for bus accident injuries?

What should I do if I'm injured on a bus?