Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can have any number of causes, including:

Whatever the cause, cases involving a public transportation agency, such as OmniTrans, are especially complex. For one, there are certain exemptions, possible immunities and notices that apply to these claims. Secondly, cases involving mass transit companies involve common carrier laws, which are unique in many ways. Our attorneys understand how to account for these issues and will carefully develop the appropriate strategies.

Our San Bernardino bus accident injury attorneys understand the complexities of dealing with bus accidents, and develop winning strategies to hold the mass transit companies accountable. Our lawyers work with clients Statewide, primarily in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

In California, Bus Accident victims can recover three primary categories of damages: Economic, Non-Economic and occasionally Punitive. Because buses are often operated by government agencies (like LA Metro or Omni), special rules and shorter deadlines often apply to filing a claim.

Economic Damages (Objective Losses)

These are quantifiable financial losses that you have incurred or will incur in the future:

• Medical Expenses:  Covers hospital stays, surgeries, emergency room visits, physical therapy and prescriptions.
• Lost Wages:  Compensation for missed shifts and income lost during your recovery.
• Loss Of Earning Capacity:  If your injuries result in a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your previous career, you can claim the loss of future earnings.
• Property Damage:. Costs to repair or replace personal items like electronics, clothing, or eyewear damaged during the crash.

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Losses)

These compensate for the physical and emotional toll of the accident. there is typically no cap on these in California Personal Injury cases:

• Pain And Suffering:  For physical discomfort and the loss of daily enjoyment.
• Emotional Distress:  Covers trauma, anxiety, depression and PTSD resulting from the accident.
• Loss Of Consortium:. A claim brought by a spouse or partner for the loss of companionship and intimacy.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases where the bus company or driver acted with malice, oppression, or fraud (such as driving while highly intoxicated, or showing reckless disregard for safety), a court may award Punitive Damages to punish the Defendant.

Important Legal Considerations

• Common Carrier Law:  Under California Law, buses are considered “common carriers” — meaning they owe passengers the utmost duty of care and are responsible for even the slightest negligence.
• Pure Comparative Negligence:  You can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
• Shorter Deadlines:  While the standard personal injury deadline is two (2) years, if the bus is government-run (like a city bus), you must file a formal claim within six (6) months of the accident or lose your right to sue.