When a public bus is involved in a crash, the circumstances are often more complex than a typical car accident. Because the bus may be owned or operated by a city or other government agency, special rules apply. You may be able to seek compensation but you need to know what to do and what legal requirements exist.
What Buses Might Be Covered
- City buses run by municipal transit authorities
- School buses operated by public school districts
- Regional transit buses connecting cities
- Government-operated shuttles or airport courtesy buses
If the bus is publicly owned or operated, then the city or government agency may be potentially liable under certain conditions.
Who You Might Sue
Depending on the particular facts, possible defendants include:
- The bus driver
- The transit agency or bus company that operates the bus
- The manufacturer of the bus or its parts if defects played a role
- The city or state if road conditions, signage, or maintenance contributed to the accident
Special Rules for Suing Public Entities
- In California, before you sue a city or public agency, you must file a “notice of claim” within six months of the accident. This gives the government formal notice and a chance to respond.
- After the notice of claim is filed, the government typically has 45 days to decide whether to approve or deny it. If denied or no response is received, you can then proceed to file a lawsuit.
What Compensation You May Recover
If you succeed, damages may include:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident
How Hillstone Law Can Help
Hillstone Law can assist by reviewing your accident details to identify all responsible parties, helping you prepare and file the notice of claim properly, gathering evidence like accident reports, witness statements, and relevant bus or transit records, negotiating with public entity insurers, and pursuing full compensation through litigation if needed.
Note: These blog posts are created solely for the use of Hillstone Law. The information is gathered from internet research, publicly available sources, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. While we aim to share helpful and educational content, Hillstone Law does not independently verify every detail. Some information may be incomplete, outdated, or subject to change without notice. If you believe any part of a post is inaccurate, misleading, or infringes upon copyright, please contact Hillstone Law immediately so we can review it and take appropriate action, including correction or removal.
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.
