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Bus accident in California?Talk to a lawyer for free.

If a city, transit or school bus was involved, a claim to the agency is usually due in six months.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
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From the very first call through every step of the process, the team at Valero provided exceptional care and support.
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Results that speak.Millions won for injured clients.

We've won over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Recognized for excellence

Avvo Rating: Excellent, Top Rated Personal InjuryTop Rated by Super Lawyers
  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential personal injury settlement.
  • $5MAuto accidentFor a husband and wife after the husband suffered a brachial plexus injury.
  • $2.34MAccident claimA win for a client injured in an accident.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA win for a client injured in an auto accident.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

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On your side, not the bus operator's

Bus operators have a team.You should have one too.

A transit agency or school district answers a claim with adjusters and lawyers on its side; a bus company, with its insurer's. The first call can come within days of the crash, and what you say can shape the claim from the start.

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

  1. Do you know who ran the bus, and which deadline that sets?
  2. Could the driver, the bus operator or another vehicle be to blame?
  3. Does the offer cover the care you may still need a year from now?

From one of our car accident cases

The insurer's best offer$410,000

What we won for our client$4.4M

A car crash that left our client with a neck injury. Most people would have taken the offer. We won more than ten times as much.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

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12 offices, one team

Bus accident lawyersnear you, anywhere in California.

Every one of our offices handles bus accident cases. Pick yours below for the local details, or call: if you can't come to us, we'll come to you.

Also serving Los Angeles, Ontario, Oakland and communities statewide. In Washington, see our Tacoma office.

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Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every case,big and small.

Whether your case is worth $5,000 or $5 million, we bring the same skill, attention and determination to every client we represent.

So don't let the size of your case keep you from seeking justice: every injury deserves serious representation. Let us fight for the compensation you're owed while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

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Real clients,in their own words.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
I had a wonderful experience with this firm. Everyone I worked with was patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about helping me resolve my case. They made a stressful situation so much easier.
JoaquinGoogle review
Read all 400+ of our reviews
Valero helped me out with my claim in a timely and professional manner! I recommend them to everyone.
Roberto M.Google review
The team is very pleasant and they made it very easy to communicate. Anyone that picked up was able to assist me and that's excellent.
Enrique P.Google review

What a California busaccident claim can recover.

Under California law, the party behind the crash or the fall, be it a transit agency, a bus company or another driver, can be held liable for each loss it caused, whether or not it shows up on a bill.

Economic damages

Costs you can document

  • Ambulance, emergency care, surgery and hospital stays
  • Physical therapy, follow-up visits and care you'll need later
  • Lost wages, and lost earning power if you can't return to the same work
  • Repairs to your car or bike, and belongings damaged in the crash

Non-economic damages

Harm no bill can measure

  • Pain and physical suffering
  • Anxiety, including a fear of riding the bus again
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Lost independence and the activities you enjoyed
  • 6 monthsTo file a claim against a public bus operatorTransit agencies and school districts are public agencies, so a written claim is usually due within six months, before any lawsuit (Government Code §945.4).
  • $5MMinimum coverage for charter and interstate buses, 16+ seatsCharter and tour companies licensed by the state's Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) must carry at least $5 million for a bus seating 16 or more, driver included (General Order 115-G). Federal law sets the same floor for interstate lines like Greyhound (49 CFR §387.33T).
  • 45 daysFor a public agency to decide your claimAn agency has 45 days to act on a claim, and silence counts as a rejection. After a written rejection, a lawsuit is usually due within six months of the notice.

After a bus accident in California,what comes next.

What to keep track of after a bus crash or a fall on board, anywhere in the state.

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  • Who writes the report
    On freeways and outside city limits it's usually the CHP; on city streets, the city's police. School bus accidents go to the CHP wherever they happen, including a student injured by a hard stop or a sudden start.
  • A fall on board can be a claim
    Hard braking, a lurch before you're seated or a door closing on you can injure a rider with no collision at all. Transit agencies and bus companies owe passengers “the utmost care and diligence”, more than ordinary drivers owe.
  • Note the bus details
    The route number, the number on the bus, the time, the direction and the stop where you boarded identify the bus, its driver and its video. LA Metro's claim and video request forms ask for each. Other riders' names and phone numbers help too.
  • Ask for the video within days
    Many transit agencies record over onboard video after a set time. San Joaquin RTD, for one, says it generally does so after 7 days unless asked to hold it. Video that's evidence in a filed claim must be kept until the claim is resolved, so we ask for it in writing right away.
  • Public bus or private bus?
    City, regional and school buses are usually run by public agencies, so a written claim to the agency comes first, generally within six months; for a school bus, that's usually the school district. Intercity lines like Greyhound and FlixBus, and charter and tour companies, are private: there's no claim step, and an injury lawsuit is generally due within two years. With a public bus, a complaint to customer service isn't a claim.
  • Missed the agency's deadline?
    Within a year of the injury, the agency can be asked in writing for leave to file a late claim. It must grant the request in set cases, such as an excusable mistake or oversight that didn't harm its defense, so talk to us before deciding it's too late.
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Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
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Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a bus accident in California.

How long do I have after a bus accident in California?
It depends on who ran the bus. For a transit agency, school district or other public agency, a written claim is usually due within six months. Against a private bus company, most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. Video and witnesses can be gone long before either deadline, so it helps to call early.
How do I find out which agency ran the bus?
The operator's name is generally on the side of the bus, at the stop and on the route's map or schedule, and the route number narrows it down. Some agencies hire private companies to drive their buses, as the City of Los Angeles does for DASH, which can mean more than one claim. Tell us the route, the place and the time, and we'll find out.
My child was injured on a school bus. What happens next?
School buses are usually run by the school district or another public agency, so a written claim to it is generally due within six months, and being a minor doesn't pause that deadline. If it has passed, the agency generally must allow a late claim when the child was a minor for that whole time and the request comes within a year of the injury. A court also has to approve a settlement for a child.
Can a fall on the bus be a claim, with no crash?
It can be. California's jury instructions hold bus companies and transit agencies to “the highest care and the vigilance of a very cautious person” toward passengers, though a carrier doesn't guarantee every rider's safety. Whether a hard stop or a sudden start crossed that line depends on what happened, so talk to us.
What if I was hit by a bus in my car, on foot or on a bike?
If the bus driver caused the accident, the claim is against whoever ran the bus, as with any driver at fault, and the written claim comes first if that's a public agency. If you were partly at fault, California's comparative fault rule lowers your recovery by your share instead of barring it.
What about Greyhound, FlixBus or a tour or charter bus?
Charter and tour companies need a certificate or permit from the CPUC and must carry insurance, and interstate lines need at least $5 million for their larger buses. We check every policy that might apply.
Do I have to live near one of your offices?
No. We take bus accident cases anywhere in California. We have offices from Stockton to Palm Desert, and if you can't travel, we'll come to your home or the hospital.
What does a bus accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Kyle Valero
Kyle ValeroAttorney, Valero Law Group

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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a California bus accident lawyer today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

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