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.