California is home to countless attractions in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. For many visitors, tour buses offer an affordable and convenient way to see the state’s sights. However, with more tour buses on the road, accidents are becoming increasingly common and determining who is responsible for resulting injuries can be complex. If you’ve been injured in a tour bus accident, the attorneys at Hillstone Law can help you navigate the legal process.
California Tour Bus Laws
Tour bus companies must follow strict safety regulations under both state and local laws. For example, the Los Angeles City Council recently restricted buses on certain streets to improve safety, and California lawmakers passed AB 1677, giving cities and counties the authority to request inspections of tour buses by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Despite these laws, many buses still slip through the cracks due to limited inspections and funding challenges. Unfortunately, this can leave unsafe buses on the road, putting passengers and other drivers at risk.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Under California Civil Code Section 2100, tour bus operators owe passengers the highest duty of care. They must operate safely and maintain their vehicles to protect riders from harm. Liability in a tour bus accident may fall on several parties, including:
- The bus company – if the bus was poorly maintained, improperly inspected, or operated negligently
- The bus driver – if they engaged in reckless driving, distracted driving, or violated traffic laws
- Third-party drivers – if another motorist’s negligence caused or contributed to the crash
- Maintenance or inspection companies – if they failed to properly service or inspect the bus
At Hillstone Law, our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to identify every potentially responsible party so we can maximize the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After a Tour Bus Accident
If you’re injured in a tour bus crash, here are steps that can help protect your case:
- Seek immediate medical care for your injuries
- Gather information from the bus driver, witnesses, and other involved parties
- Document the scene with photos of the bus, license plate, and any visible damage
- Note potential video footage from bus cameras or nearby security systems
- Contact a skilled attorney before speaking to insurance companies
Get Help from Hillstone Law
Tour bus accidents can leave victims facing costly medical bills, lost wages, and long-term physical or emotional suffering. At Hillstone Law, we fight to hold negligent bus companies and other responsible parties accountable.
Call us today for a free consultation to learn how our team can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Note: The content published on the Hillstone Law blog is prepared for informational and educational purposes using a variety of research resources and publicly available information. We make reasonable efforts to provide helpful, relevant, and current information; however, laws, regulations, facts, and other details may change over time or vary depending on the circumstances. If you believe any portion of a post contains inaccurate or misleading information, or raises a copyright concern, please contact Hillstone Law so we can review the matter and make any appropriate corrections or updates.
Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
