Bus Accident Lawyers In California | GJEL Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident anywhere in California, you deserve experienced legal representation that will protect your rights and help you recover. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, a California transit accident attorney and bus crash law firm, we have spent more than 40 years fighting for victims of serious crashes involving public transit, school buses, and private motorcoaches.

We understand that after a bus accident, you may be overwhelmed, facing hospital bills, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next. Our goal is simple: to help you get justice, rebuild your life, and secure the compensation you deserve.

Why Bus Accidents Are Different

Bus collisions are often more complex than car accidents. Buses carry dozens of passengers, weigh many tons, and are governed by both California law and federal safety regulations under the FMCSA. The absence of seat belts, wide blind spots, and long braking distances can make injuries more severe.

Unlike typical vehicles, buses are considered common carriers, which means operators owe a higher duty of care to passengers and the public. This stricter standard means even small acts of negligence can lead to liability.

According to NHTSA data, over 60,000 bus-related crashes occur each year in the United States, many within California’s urban corridors. These accidents can involve city buses, tour buses, and school transportation, each with its own legal process and insurance coverage.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Most bus crashes stem from negligence. Common bus-related causes include:

• Distracted bus driving, such as texting, eating, or using a dispatch device
• Drowsy or fatigued bus drivers operating beyond regulated hours
• Speeding buses that cannot stop safely in traffic
• Unsafe bus turns or failure to yield to pedestrians and cyclists
• Poor bus maintenance, including skipped brake or tire inspections
• Bus brake failure caused by wear or mechanical neglect
• Blind-spot collisions where the bus driver fails to see nearby vehicles
• Mechanical defects in steering, suspension, or transmission systems
• Worn or under-inflated bus tires that cause blowouts
• Bus drivers under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or impairing medication
• Hazardous road or weather conditions that increase the risk of bus crashes
• Poor roadway lighting or visibility near bus stops and intersections

Additional hazards include sudden braking that throws standing passengers, a limited turning radius, and the lack of seat belts that often worsen injuries.

We investigate bus driver training, driver logs, maintenance records, and dispatch data to uncover what went wrong. Our bus driving legal team examines whether proper inspections were performed, whether the bus was overloaded, and whether the operator was properly certified under California law.

Who Can Be Held Liable

Liability in a bus crash is rarely simple. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:

• The bus driver or operating company for negligent driving, speeding, or unsafe operation of the bus.
• A public transit agency (city, county, or state) that owns or manages the bus service and fails to train or supervise drivers properly.
• A private charter or tour bus operator that neglects maintenance, schedules unsafe routes, or hires unqualified drivers.
• The bus manufacturer or parts supplier if a design flaw or defective component contributed to the crash.
• Bus maintenance contractors or fleet managers who fail to inspect, repair, or service buses according to safety standards.
• Third-party motorists who cause or contribute to a bus collision through reckless or distracted driving.
• Government entities responsible for unsafe roads, faulty traffic signals, or poor roadway design that lead to bus accidents.

When a government agency is involved, California’s Government Claims Act applies. You must file a formal claim within six months of the incident, which is far shorter than the two-year window for private parties. Our attorneys handle these deadlines for you and ensure no technicality jeopardizes your claim.

School Bus Accidents

When children are injured in school bus crashes, multiple parties may share responsibility, including the school district, private transportation contractors, or the bus manufacturer. These cases require strict compliance with the California Tort Claims Act, which limits the time to file to just six months.

Our attorneys handle these sensitive cases with urgency and care. We work directly with families to secure compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional trauma, ensuring that every claim meets both the procedural and emotional needs of the child and their parents.

Common Injuries from Bus Accidents

Because buses lack standard car safety features like airbags and seat belts, even minor collisions can cause severe harm. Common injuries in California bus accidents include:

• Whiplash and neck strain from sudden braking or sharp bus turns.
• Back and spinal cord injuries caused by passengers being thrown against hard surfaces.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions from head impact inside the bus during a crash.
• Broken or fractured bones due to falling or being struck by interior bus structures.
• Amputations and crush injuries in collisions involving large commercial buses or rollovers.
• Soft tissue injuries and severe bruising from being jolted against seats or railings.
• Internal bleeding or organ damage resulting from high-impact bus collisions.
• Post-concussion syndrome following repeated head trauma in a bus crash.
• Burn injuries or scarring from bus fires or contact with hot engine components after impact.
• Nerve damage or paralysis linked to spinal compression or severe trauma during the crash.
• Psychological trauma, including PTSD, from witnessing or surviving a catastrophic bus accident.

These injuries can be life-changing, especially when they limit your ability to work or care for your family. Our attorneys help clients recover compensation for medical care, rehabilitation, therapy, and lost income after serious bus accidents. We also work with medical experts to document long-term effects such as chronic pain or permanent disability, ensuring your claim reflects the full impact of your injury.

What To Do After a Bus Accident

After a bus crash, every decision matters. Follow these steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

• Call 911 immediately and report that a bus accident has occurred. Request both police and medical assistance so an official record is created.
• Seek medical care right away, even if injuries seem minor. Many bus-related injuries like whiplash or head trauma appear hours later.
• Collect contact information for all witnesses, passengers, and the bus driver or operator, including the bus number and bus company name.
• Take photos or videos of the bus, damage, license plate, roadway conditions, and your injuries to preserve key evidence.
• Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters or transit representatives until you have legal guidance. Anything you say may be used to minimize your claim.
• Contact an experienced California bus accident lawyer before signing any documents or accepting any bus accident settlement offer.

Our team helps clients gather evidence, preserve bus company records, and ensure all claims are filed before state or local deadlines expire.

How We Build a Strong Bus Accident Case

We begin every bus accident claim with a focused investigation designed to preserve critical evidence and prove liability. This includes:

• Reviewing bus driver logs, maintenance schedules, and inspection reports to identify safety violations or missed repairs.
• Obtaining onboard bus surveillance footage and GPS data to track speed, braking, and route activity before the crash.
• Interviewing passengers, witnesses, and first responders to establish what happened in the moments leading up to the accident.
• Consulting accident reconstruction experts who specialize in commercial and municipal bus collisions.
• Assessing all insurance coverage layers both public, private, and excess policies to determine every potential source of recovery.

We act quickly because bus accident evidence can disappear within days, and public transit agencies often have strict notice deadlines under California’s Government Claims Act.

Recent Bus Accident Cases Won by GJEL Accident Attorneys

Our bus injury legal team has successfully handled numerous bus accident lawsuits throughout California, achieving significant settlements and verdicts:

$420,000 Mini-Bus Accident Settlement – Concord, CA

A pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk was hit by a mini-bus in Concord. GJEL proved bus driver negligence and secured a $420,000 recovery for the victim’s family.

$625,000 Transit Bus Accident Settlement – Oakland, CA

A pedestrian was hit by a city transit bus in downtown Oakland. GJEL proved bus driver negligence and recovered $625,000 in compensation for the injured pedestrian.

$730,000 Hospital Shuttle Bus Accident Verdict – Alameda, CA

A hospital shuttle bus hit a pedestrian at Alameda Hospital. GJEL proved hospital negligence and won a $730,000 verdict covering medical bills, lost wages, and nerve damage.

$1.9 Million Public Bus Accident Verdict – San Francisco, CA

A retired General and spouse were struck by a public bus in a San Francisco crosswalk.
GJEL proved operator negligence and secured a $1.9 million verdict for severe injuries and long-term medical care.

Damages You Can Recover

Our bus accident attorneys fight to recover the full value of your losses after a bus accident, ensuring both financial and personal impacts are addressed.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (past and future) for treatment and rehabilitation after a bus crash.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent you from working.
• Property damage to vehicles or personal items involved in the bus collision.
• Out-of-pocket costs such as medication, transport, and mobility aids.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering from lasting bus-related injuries.
• Emotional distress and trauma from the crash experience.
• Loss of enjoyment of life due to reduced mobility or chronic pain.
• Disfigurement or disability caused by severe injury.
• Loss of consortium when family relationships are affected.

If a loved one was killed in a California bus accident, we also pursue wrongful death compensation for surviving family members to cover funeral costs, lost support, and emotional loss.

Why Choose GJEL Accident Attorneys

For more than 40 years, GJEL Accident Attorneys has helped injured Californians recover over $950 million in verdicts and settlements. Our California bus accident lawyers are recognized statewide for excellence in bus injury litigation and complex transportation cases.

We handle every bus accident claim on a no win, no fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Every client also receives a free bus accident case review with no pressure and no obligation.

We treat every client like family. From the moment you contact our bus injury legal team, we manage everything for you, including medical coordination, claims handling, insurance communication, and settlement negotiation, so you can focus on recovery and rebuilding your life after a bus crash.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accident Claims and Lawsuits

How long do I have to file a bus accident claim?

You generally have two years to file a bus accident lawsuit against a private company, but only six months if a public transit agency is involved. Contact a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights and key evidence.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for a bus crash?

Yes. Under comparative negligence law, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault, which an experienced bus injury attorney can help minimize.

How much does it cost to hire a bus accident lawyer?

Hiring our bus injury legal team costs nothing upfront. We work on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your bus injury claim.

How long do bus accident cases usually take to settle?

Most bus accident cases are resolved within 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the investigation, the number of defendants, and whether a public transportation agency is involved. Serious injury or wrongful death cases may take longer due to expert evaluations and insurance negotiations.

What types of buses are involved in bus accident cases?

Our firm handles lawsuits involving city buses, school buses, charter buses, tour buses, airport shuttles, and private motorcoaches. Each type of bus has its own insurance coverage and safety regulations.

Who can file a bus accident claim?

Passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and family members of those killed in a crash can file a bus accident claim. A bus injury lawyer can help determine who is legally entitled to pursue compensation and what deadlines apply.

Who pays for medical bills after a bus crash?

Medical expenses are usually covered through insurance held by the bus company, public agency, or private operator. Our bus injury legal team ensures that all responsible parties are held accountable for your medical costs, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.

When should I contact a bus accident lawyer?

You should contact a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. Bus companies and public agencies start investigating immediately, and critical evidence such as onboard video or driver logs can disappear within days. Acting quickly helps protect your rights and strengthens your claim.

How do you prove negligence in a bus accident?

Our attorneys analyze driver logs, maintenance reports, GPS data, and witness statements to determine exactly how negligence caused the bus crash. We also consult with accident reconstruction experts and transportation specialists to establish fault and secure maximum compensation.

How are bus accident settlements calculated?

Bus accident settlements depend on the severity of injuries, the extent of medical treatment, lost wages, and future earning capacity. Our bus accident attorneys work with medical and financial experts to calculate fair compensation for every client, including pain and suffering and long-term care needs.