Bus accidents involve unique liability rules and strict government deadlines. If you were injured, acting quickly is not optional.
Auto accidents are always complicated. Finding the true cause of a wreck involving multiple cars and personal injuries requires tremendous depth of experience.
This is particularly true when the vehicles involved include large passenger busses. These accidents are big, they’re confusing and they’re devastating in their scope and in the extent of the injuries suffered by those involved.
The legal issues involved are only more complicated when the bus in question is public and run by a municipality or other government organization. Fortunately, our bus accident lawyers have decades of experience with these complicated wrecks.
If you were hurt in a bus accident in the Redondo Beach, California area and need an experienced lawyer, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Understanding what caused a bus accident is the first step toward identifying who is responsible. Common causes we investigate include:
- Driver error: Being distracted while driving, fatigue, speeding, and failure to yield are all leading causes of bus collisions in the South Bay.
- Inadequate driver training: Transit agencies that fail to properly train operators create foreseeable risks for passengers and other road users.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and mechanical defects caused by neglected maintenance schedules
- Dangerous road conditions: Any poorly maintained roads, missing signage, and defective signals can contribute to accidents that fall under government responsibility.
- Third-party negligence: Other drivers who cut off or collide with a bus can share or bear primary liability for resulting injuries.
Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle
As a bus accident lawyer in Redondo Beach, we represent injured clients across all bus accident types:
- Public transit accidents: LA Metro bus, Metrolink, and municipal transit collisions involving government-operated vehicles
- School bus accidents: Claims involving student passengers, pedestrians, and vehicles in school zone collisions
- Charter and tour bus accidents: Private carrier collisions involving passengers on chartered or event transportation
- Shuttle accidents: Airport shuttles, hotel transfers, and private shuttles operating throughout the South Bay
- Pedestrian and cyclist collisions: Injuries to those struck by buses at intersections, bus stops, and crosswalks
Who Is Responsible?
Bus accidents share some similarities with truck accidents – the vehicles involved are large, liability is complicated and injuries tend to be of the catastrophic variety. However, there are some factors that make bus accidents even more complicated.
Many bus accidents involve privately owned passenger buses – these cases can be complicated, but the ability to sue the parties involved is rarely in doubt. But what happens if the bus is run by a municipality, such as the city of Long Beach or a collection of regional governments?
These cases are decidedly more complex. Suing the government is far from impossible, but it requires a unique experience and understanding of difficult legal issues.
In the state of California, suits against government entities must be filed within six months of the instigating event. And we would you advise you to move even quicker than that- municipal busses tend to be repaired quickly, which means some vital physical evidence can be lost.
Our bus accident lawyers have ample experience pursuing claims against government entities. We know how to navigate these difficult cases and we won’t be intimidated by sitting across the table from government officials.
It’s not unreasonable or litigious to vigorously pursue compensation if you suffered an injury in a bus accident caused by someone else’s mistakes. Your medical expenses are ever-mounting, and your ability to work and earn a living has been compromised. Protecting your legal rights is absolutely crucial.
If you need an experienced bus accident lawyer in South Bay, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation. We serve accident victims in or around Redondo Beach, Torrance, South Bay, and nearby areas in California. Call 24/7!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there special deadlines for claims against government entities?
Yes, and they are strict. Claims against government-operated transit agencies, including LA Metro, must be filed as a tort claim within 6 months under California Government Code section 911.2. Missing this deadline typically bars recovery entirely. Contact a train accident lawyer or bus accident attorney in Redondo Beach immediately after any public transit accident.
How long do I have to file a bus accident claim in California?
It depends on who operated the bus. Private carrier claims are subject to California's two-year personal injury statute of limitations under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Government transit claims must be filed within 6 months of the tort. A bus accident attorney in South Bay confirms the correct deadline for your situation before any time is lost.
Can passengers and pedestrians both file claims?
Yes. Both have legal standing when a bus operator's negligence caused their injuries. Passengers inside the vehicle and pedestrians struck outside are treated as independent claimants. A slip-and-fall injury lawyer in Redondo Beach or a bus accident attorney from our team evaluates both claim types at no cost.
Do you offer free bus accident consultations in Redondo Beach?
Every case starts with a free, no-obligation consultation. As a law firm in Redondo Beach available around the clock, call (310) 536-1000. Se habla español.