Tustin Bus Accident Lawyer
Injured in a Bus Accident in Tustin?
Buses carry dozens of people with no seat belts, standing passengers and a vehicle that weighs many times more than a car. When a bus brakes hard, collides with another vehicle or hits a pedestrian, the injuries can be serious, and the claim is rarely as simple as a normal car accident. Many bus operators are public agencies with their own short deadlines, and private bus companies have commercial insurers and lawyers ready from day one.
I'm Gary A. Peterson. I've practiced law for more than 30 years, and for the last 20-plus I've represented injured people. Before that, I defended insurance companies and corporations, so I know how transit agencies and bus companies defend these claims. When you hire my office, you work directly with me.
No Win, No Fee.
Contact Us Today.
Bus Companies Owe Passengers the Highest Level of Care
Under California Civil Code section 2100, a "common carrier," a business or agency that carries the public for a fare, must use the utmost care and diligence for its passengers' safety. That is a higher standard than the ordinary care required of other drivers. It applies to public transit, charter and tour buses, airport shuttles and similar services, and it covers boarding and getting off as well as the ride itself.
Passengers are often hurt without any collision at all: a sudden stop or sharp turn throws a standing rider to the floor, a door closes on someone getting off, or the bus pulls away before a passenger is seated or safely off.
Types of Bus Accidents I Handle
- injuries to passengers on public transit buses, including OCTA routes through Tustin
- pedestrians and cyclists hit by buses, often in turns or at stops
- drivers and passengers in cars hit by a bus
- school bus accidents
- charter, tour, airport shuttle and private company buses
Claims Against Public Agencies: The Six-Month Deadline
When a bus is run by a public entity, such as a regional transit authority, a city or a school district, you generally can't go straight to court. California's Government Claims Act requires a written claim to the agency, usually within six months of the injury. If the claim is denied, there are further deadlines for filing a lawsuit. Missing the six-month deadline can end an otherwise strong case, so if a public bus was involved, it's important to act quickly.
Private bus companies, such as charter and tour operators, are subject to the general two-year deadline for injury claims in California, and interstate passenger carriers must follow federal safety rules on driver hours, qualifications and vehicle maintenance.
Evidence in Bus Accident Cases
Most transit buses have multiple video cameras inside and out, along with data on speed and braking. That evidence can show exactly what happened, but it may not be kept for long. I request it right away, along with the driver's training and discipline records, maintenance records, the agency's incident report and the names of other passengers who saw the crash. I studied mechanical engineering before law school, which helps when a case depends on braking, speed or turning movements.
For more, see my article on recovering compensation after a bus accident.
What Your Claim Can Cover
A bus accident claim can include medical bills and future treatment, lost wages and earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Bus crashes can cause serious injuries, including brain injuries and spinal injuries, and fatal crashes can lead to wrongful death claims. Over my career, I've recovered over $20 million for my clients in total.
How Fees Work: No Recovery, No Fee Guarantee
I handle bus accident cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront, I advance the costs of the case, and they're repaid from your recovery. If there's no recovery, you owe no fee.
Bus Accident FAQs
Can I sue a public transit agency for a bus accident?
Yes, but you must first file a written government claim with the agency, usually within six months of the injury. If the agency rejects the claim, you can then file a lawsuit within the deadlines that follow.
What if I was hurt when the bus stopped suddenly?
You may still have a claim. Bus operators must use the utmost care for passengers' safety, and an abrupt stop or start that throws passengers can be negligent, even if there was no collision.
Who is liable if a bus hits my car?
Usually the bus driver's employer, whether that's a transit agency or a private company, if the bus driver was at fault. Other drivers, or the companies that maintain the bus, may also share responsibility.
How long do I have to file a bus accident claim?
For a public bus, generally six months to file a government claim. For a private bus company, generally two years to file a lawsuit in California.
What should I do after a bus accident?
Get medical care, note the bus number, route and time, get the names of witnesses and other passengers, photograph your injuries and the scene, and report the incident to the operator. Then talk to a lawyer before the claim deadline approaches.
Talk to a Tustin Bus Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a bus accident as a passenger, driver, cyclist or pedestrian, call me at (714) 461-6003 or request a free consultation. I'll make sure the right deadlines are met and explain your options. You can also read more about my background or see the other types of injury cases I handle.
No Win, No Fee.
Contact Us Today.
No Win, No Fee.
Contact Us Today.