Why Choose Bisnar Chase?
The experienced Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase have successfully represented accident victims for over 46 years.
Thousands of Americans are seriously injured or killed each year in public transportation accidents, and we have seen insurance companies cheat those victims out of fair financial compensation.
Having an attorney represent you not only protects your rights, which you may not realize you have but also can increase your compensation.
Whether you were a passenger on the bus or a pedestrian hit by the bus, we can help. We will help you with medical treatment and to secure all evidence in the accident as soon as possible.
We have litigation experts, trial attorneys and award-winning support staff to take the best care of you during a difficult time. The Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys of Bisnar Chase want to be the people at your side to fight for what you deserve.
- Almost one billion recovered
- 2025 Law Firm of the Year
- Serving California since 1978
- 99% success rate
- Top-rated seasoned trial attorneys
If you or someone you know has been involved in a bus wreck, contact our legal experts for a free consultation at (323) 238-4683.
Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyers
How to Make a Claim From a Bus Accident
If you’ve been involved in a public or private bus accident, there are important steps to take to protect your right to compensation.
- Consult with a personal injury attorney
- Review evidence with your legal team
- Identify all injuries and damages
- Retain experts and investigators
- File an insurance claim
- Negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit
- Prepare to go to trial if needed
- File an appeal if required
A bus accident claim can be complex and take time. If your attorney is “rushing” to settle your claim, then you are not getting superior representation.
Your lawyer’s job is to work as hard as possible to get you the best financial compensation, not just file an insurance claim.
What is the average payout for a bus accident claim?
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries. A case that requires a lot of medical care and long-term treatment will garner more financial compensation than a case with minor injuries.
Using pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and emotional distress, your lawyer will be in a case that could result in a settlement or verdict from anywhere from $10,000.00 to seven figures. Lost earnings, medical expenses, property damage and other living expenses can also be factored into your recovery.
Both economic and non-economic damages are factored into your claim. This includes what we mentioned above but also includes pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in life, a wrongful death, loss of consortium and other losses from the injury.
All claims are different, and there is no one formula to determine what a jury or insurance company will pay.
How much does a Los Angeles bus accident lawyer charge?
A law firm well-versed in public bus accidents will be able to hire experts and investigators to thoroughly investigate your personal injury case.
The typical cost for a California personal injury lawyer is 33 1/3%, but by law, they can charge more if the case requires extensive resources like evidence storage and private investigators and accident reconstruction experts. Call our Los Angeles bus accident attorneys for a free case revelation. There is no fee if we don’t win.
How long do I have to file a bus accident claim?
In California, the statute of limitations is two years for personal injury claims, so it’s vital that you file your case as soon as possible to protect your time to file. However, if you are suing a defendant that is a public entity like a bus company, then you need to file the claim within six months.
How long will my bus accident claim take?
Since a bus accident can involve multiple people and is complex, it can take anywhere from 12 to 20 months to successfully negotiate your claim. If your lawyer is rushing to settle the case, then they are not fighting hard enough for you. Our goal is to get maximum compensation for you.
Different Types of Bus Accidents in Los Angeles
At times, commuters ride buses to lessen transportation costs. Those who do not own a vehicle can save money by avoiding the costs of gas, routine maintenance, and a car insurance policy. Unfortunately, some fatal bus accidents can cost people their lives.
Buses that are frequently involved in accidents include:
School bus crashes: Children riding on school buses can be easily injured in an accident. School buses do not contain seatbelts; therefore, kids can be thrown from their seats in the event of a rollover.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports that at least 4–6 children are killed every year in school bus collisions. Bus drivers are to follow unloading and loading procedures according to the law to ensure the safety of students.
Public transportation collisions: Traveling by bus is a cost-effective mode of transportation. However, LA County bus crashes can occur, and the results can be devastating when they do.
Many victims of LA bus accidents need immediate medical attention and must miss work while they heal. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute analyzed data over 7 years and found that 63,000 bus accidents occur each year, with about 14,000 people suffering injuries.
Charter bus accidents: Charter buses are defined as vehicles traveling with many people onboard. Some of these types of buses can include party buses, buses hired for entertainers, or tour buses. This bus is usually used for 36 people or more. Organizations, businesses, or individuals can rent charter buses. These entities can potentially be liable for a collision and, if proven negligent, must compensate the victims for their damages.
Other types of buses
- Government buses, both state and federal
- Metro buses
- Commuter buses
- Tour buses
Leading Causes of Los Angeles Bus Accidents
Recently, there was a stream of California bus accidents involving tour bus companies. The Feds stepped in and cracked down on unsafe bus companies.
Typically, these charter buses are poorly maintained and put lives at risk. Some of the most common causes of Los Angeles bus crashes include:
Driver inexperience and lack of training
It is the responsibility of all bus companies to ensure that their drivers are skilled, experienced, and properly trained. Bus drivers who are new to the job should not be allowed to transport passengers on the congested and dangerous streets of Los Angeles.
Bus driver negligence
It is crucial that bus drivers check for traffic before changing lanes or entering busy streets. Bus drivers must obey the speed limit and slow down on the few days during the year when roads are wet in Los Angeles.
Additionally, they must not allow themselves to become distracted by other drivers or electronic devices while driving. It is illegal in California for all drivers to use a cell phone or text while driving.
Driver fatigue
It is irresponsible to drive a bus full of passengers while drowsy. Drivers who push through fatigue are more likely to doze off, lose focus, or miss important changes in the flow of traffic.
Federal law requires all commercial drivers to adhere to hours-of-service regulations, which restrict the number of hours bus drivers can drive continuously.
Faulty equipment
Some Los Angeles bus accidents could have been prevented had the bus company performed proper safety inspections and repairs. When bus companies fail to replace worn or broken parts, it puts everyone on the roadway in danger. An uninspected bus or a bus that has not been properly maintained may have overinflated tires that could blow, brakes that are ready to fail, or an engine that could catch fire.
Other reasons
- Speeding
- Reckess driving
- Blind spots and weather
If you are not sure what caused your accident, contact our award-winning Los Angeles bus accident attorneys for a comprehensive, free evaluation. Call 323-238-4683 today.
Bus Driver Negligence is Common
Bus driver negligence or error are common causes of bus accidents. Drivers and bus companies have a legal obligation to safely transport their passengers. There are many ways in which a bus driver’s negligence can cause a bus to crash.
Some of the actions that can lead to a catastrophic bus accident include:
Making an unsafe lane change
Buses are large vehicles that may have several blind spots. However, it is the bus operator’s duty to ensure that it is safe to change lanes before doing so. Changing lanes without looking properly is one of the most common reasons for auto accidents.
Exceeding the speed limit
Because of the size and weight of buses, they are often difficult to stop. Bus drivers who exceed the speed limit may not be able to adjust to the changing traffic conditions or to come to a stop in time to avoid a collision.
Driving distracted
Under California law, school, transit, and commercial bus drivers are not allowed to use a cell phone or text while driving. There are other forms of distracted driving that can prove dangerous as well. Any driver who takes his or her hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or mind off the task at hand is considered distracted.
Failing to stop at a train track
All bus drivers should stop at train tracks to look and listen for approaching trains.
Driving while fatigued
Operating a bus while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Commercial drivers, including bus drivers, are required to get adequate rest before they start a shift.
If a negligent driver caused your accident and injuries, call the experienced Los Angeles bus accident lawyers of Bisnar Chase for a free case evaluation. Call 323-238-4687.
Proving Bus Accident Negligence
A lawyer needs to show a few things to prove a bus driver was negligent and caused an accident that hurt passengers. First, they must prove the driver should have been careful—that’s their “duty of care.” Bus drivers have a significant responsibility to keep everyone safe.
The personal injury lawyer must show that the driver didn’t do their job. Did they speed? Were they texting? Driving recklessly? Were they too tired? Was the bus in bad shape and underserviced? These are all things that could show they weren’t being careful and caused the bus accident.
Next, the attorney has to prove that the driver’s mistakes actually caused the accident. And finally, they need to show how much the passengers were hurt—medical bills, lost wages, the pain and suffering they went through. If negligence was involved, you may also be entitled to punitive damages.
To prove all this, we will look at the police report, any videos and CCTV, the driver’s past driving record, how well the bus was maintained, and talk to witnesses. Sometimes, we might get an expert to help figure out what happened and reconstruct the accident scene.
The main aspects of the case will be:
- Duty of care
- Breach of that duty
- Causation
- Monetary damages
Los Angeles Bus Accident Cases
When you are a passenger on a bus, there is very little you can do to prevent an accident beyond making sure that you are not a distraction.
Multiple passengers have been hurt due to negligence on the part of a bus driver or a faulty bus part. These types of accidents are common in Los Angeles County. Below is a list of bus crash cases that have occurred in LA.
- I-10 tour bus accident leaves 25 passengers injured:In downtown Los Angeles, a bus carrying 35 passengers tipped over and injured 25 riders. The bus was transporting people from the Pala Casino in San Diego and was headed toward Koreatown in LA. Four were reported to be in critical condition after the incident took place.
- Four girls left with injuries after a school bus collision:
Four girls, said to be around the age of 12, were involved in a school bus crash. At the scene of the accident, it appeared that the bus collided head-on with a utility pole, bringing down electrical wires with it. The motor vehicle accident took place in North Los Angeles on the 500 block of West Solano Avenue. - Metro bus plows into cars, injuring nine people and leaving one dead:Paramedics and firefighters rushed to the scene of a metro bus accident on South Alameda Street and East 131st Street at around 2 am. The city bus struck four parked cars and killed 30-year-old Lynwood resident Jose S. Hernandez. He was transported to St. Francis Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Common Bus Collision Injuries
Due to their size and weight, buses can be particularly dangerous when they are involved in crashes with smaller passenger vehicles.
Those who have been seriously injured in any type of accident, including bus crashes, or who have lost loved ones, can file for fair compensation.
Bus accident injuries that can be claimed in a bus accident lawsuit can include:
Whiplash
The sudden impact can cause the head and neck to jerk violently forward and back, leading to neck strains, sprains, or more severe cervical spine injuries. These types of injuries to the neck can linger and cause long-term problems.
Head injuries
Passengers may hit their heads on seats, windows, or other hard surfaces, potentially causing concussions, contusions, or even traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Head injuries are one of the most common results of a motor vehicle accident.
Broken bones
The force of the collision can lead to fractures in various parts of the body, such as arms, legs, ribs, or collarbones. Serious hip injuries or a broken back or pelvis are also often seen in crashes, especially high-impact ones.
Cuts and lacerations
Broken glass, torn metal, or loose objects can cause cuts and deep lacerations to the skin and can be serious.
Soft tissue injuries
Muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be stretched or torn due to the impact, resulting in sprains, strains, or contusions.
Spinal cord injuries
In severe cases, damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis. A spinal cord injury is a very serious issue that will take a lot of time to recover from, and total recovery is not always possible.
Internal injuries
Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs such as the lungs, liver, spleen, or kidneys. Many times, these internal injuries are not immediately identifiable and can be life-threatening.
Emotional trauma
Survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression following the accident, which can linger for quite some time. Many times, the victim will carry the stress and anxiety of the crash throughout their life.
Burn injuries
In cases where the accident results in a fire, passengers may suffer from burn injuries of varying degrees.
The severity of injuries depends on factors such as the speed of the bus, the point of impact, and whether passengers were wearing seat belts.
It’s crucial for anyone involved in a bus accident to seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor initially, as some symptoms may appear later. Contact a Los Angeles public transportation accident lawyer if you have questions about a crash you were involved in or whether you are entitled to financial compensation. Call Bisnar Chase today at 323-238-4683.
What to do After a Los Angeles Bus Accident
Your actions after a bus collision are important because they can affect the amount you receive in your settlement. If you are injured while riding a bus in Los Angeles, there are a few steps that you can take to protect your best interests.
Call the police
One of the first steps after a bus collision is to contact the authorities. Once the authorities have been contacted, depending on the severity of the accident, an ambulance will be sent to your location.
Pull over to the side of the road or to a safe area so that you can easily receive medical attention promptly when the ambulance arrives.
Collect information and evidence
Regarding evidence, do not walk away empty-handed. As you wait for the police to arrive, write down everything you remember about the crash. Keep these questions in mind when making notes.
Where were you seated? What were you doing at the time of the crash? When and where did the accident occur? What types of injuries did you sustain?
Who were the people who witnessed the collision? If you are not physically capable of gathering information such as a driver’s license number, insurance policy number, photos, or witness accounts, have somebody else at the scene gather this evidence.
Remember to not only take pictures of the vehicles but also of the street conditions and weather.
Stay until the authorities say you can leave
This is important. The authorities are there to assess the situation. When the local authorities arrive at the scene of the accident, you need to file a police report as well.
This is one piece of evidence that is vital and can help you win the compensation you need to recover from your catastrophic injuries.
Contact your insurance company
After you have sought medical attention for your injuries, file a claim immediately.
The sooner you contact your insurance company, the sooner you can receive compensation for damages such as lost wages and bills from medical treatments.
It is not necessary for you to speak to the other party’s insurance company.
Seek legal advice
A Los Angeles bus accident attorney like those at Bisnar Chase has held negligent bus companies accountable since 1978. We have sustained a 99% rate of winning compensation for our injury clients and will inform you of the status of your case every step of the way. Call our law firm today at (323) 238-4683 for a free case evaluation.
Who Can Be Responsible for My Bus Accident?
Several parties can be responsible for your bus collision. The first can be the bus manufacturer. A bus requires a lot of maintenance, and manufacturer negligence can result in a dangerous bus being sent out for use.
The second party that can be responsible for a bus wreck is the bus company or the tour company. Bus companies are legally obligated to hire the right people to operate the common carriers. Companies should also ensure that bus drivers are adequately trained and supervised.
The bus company is also responsible for maintaining the buses. Companies should regularly inspect their vehicles, paying special attention to the tires and brakes, to reduce the number of bus crashes annually.
Who Pays for My Medical Bills?
Bisnar Chase will work on your behalf to place your medical expenses into a lien that will be paid at the end of your personal injury case. Whether you have health insurance or not, those medical bills will be tracked by us and will factor into how much compensation we ask for. We can also assist you with steps to obtain Medi-Cal, Medicare, and indigent medical programs.
Bus Accident Statistics for California
Though statistically less frequent than other types of motor vehicle accidents, bus accidents can have devastating consequences due to their sheer size and passenger capacity. This section explores bus accident statistics in California, delves into the common causes of these incidents, and outlines the safety regulations to prevent them.
To illustrate the potential impact of these accidents, consider the tragic incident in Yucaipa in 2013, where a bus carrying 39 passengers crashed while traveling down a mountain road, resulting in at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries.
Recent Bus Accidents in California
Several notable bus accidents have occurred in California recently, highlighting the need for safety improvements.
- November 17, 2024: A Los Angeles Metro bus was involved in a three-vehicle collision in South L.A., resulting in several injuries.
- April 30, 2024: A University of Southern California bus collided with a Los Angeles Metro train, injuring at least 55 people.
- June 27, 2022: A commuter bus overturned near LAX after colliding with a parked big rig, leaving four people in critical condition.
California experiences a significant number of bus accidents each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 138 fatal bus accidents and 5,913 non-fatal accidents in California in the current year.
In 2020, California had 100,828 registered buses, with 176 total fatalities in bus crashes. Of these fatalities, 131 involved school buses and transit buses. While buses have a lower overall accident rate than cars per passenger mile traveled, the severity of bus accidents can be much higher due to their size and passenger capacity.
Over a six-year period, there were 63,000 bus-related crashes, 14,000 injuries, and 325 fatal injuries. On average, there were 50 passenger deaths per year, including drivers. Charter buses have a higher likelihood of being involved in an accident compared to transit buses.
Choosing the Right Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyers
Finding a great injury lawyer to take on your case is crucial. There are some key qualities to look out for that your Los Angeles bus accident lawyer should have.
One of the most important qualities a lawyer should have is years of experience working on these cases.
Additionally, an accident attorney may have years of experience in personal injury law but not much experience with public transit collisions.
Another significant quality a bus crash lawyer should have is a high success rate in winning personal injury cases. The lawyers of Bisnar Chase have a history of winning compensation for our clients. We are determined to do the same for you. Contact our law firm to explore your legal options.
The law firm of Bisnar Chase and its skilled team of trial attorneys have over 46 years of experience and have won over $900 million in verdicts and settlements.
Bisnar Chase is passionate about our clients and will ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to for your bus accident or wrongful death claim. Call for a free consultation with our top-rated Los Angeles bus accident lawyers at 323-238-4683.
