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Start with who runs the bus
City buses, Metro buses, school buses, airport shuttles, charter coaches and tour buses can all look alike after a crash. The question that sets the rules is who owned and operated the bus. Look at the name on the side, the route number, and the driver’s uniform. The police report usually names the operator too.
Some public agencies hire private companies to run their routes, so the answer is not always obvious. A lawyer can check the operator, the owner and any contract between them. Getting this right early matters, because the deadline and the place your claim goes depend on it, and the shortest deadline is the one to plan around.
Public transit and school buses
Before suing a California city, county or other public entity over a crash with a government vehicle, a written claim generally must be presented within six months of the injury. That covers many transit and school bus crashes. The claim goes to the agency and describes what happened and your damages. A lawsuit can follow if the claim does not settle things.
If a broken bus stop, a dangerous curb or a poorly marked road played a part, the agency may also be responsible for a dangerous condition of its property. That depends on whether the condition created a foreseeable risk and whether the agency created it or knew about it in time to fix it. Photos of the stop and road help here.
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Private charter, tour and shuttle buses
When a private company operates the bus, the claim usually runs against the company and its insurer. In California, an employer is generally liable for injuries caused by an employee driving within the scope of the job, under respondeat superior. The driver’s hours, training and the bus’s maintenance records can all matter as evidence.
For a private bus, an injury lawsuit must generally be filed within two years under California law. In Washington, the general deadline is three years. Even with more time, start early. Video from the bus cameras and the driver’s records may not be kept forever, and a written request to preserve them helps.
What to do now
Get medical care right away, even if you walked off the bus. Sudden stops and side impacts can cause injuries that show up later. Take photos of the bus, its number, the route sign, the scene and your injuries. Get names and phone numbers of other passengers and witnesses, and ask the officer for the report number.
Keep your fare receipt or transit card record, plus every medical bill and pay stub. Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement to the transit agency or the bus company before you talk with a lawyer. California uses pure comparative fault, so any blame put on you lowers your recovery, which is one more reason to be careful about statements.
How Beverly Law can help
We can find out who operated the bus, present the six-month claim if a public agency is involved, and request video and records before they are gone. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. Call (310) 552-6959 or use the form on this page to tell us what happened.
Bus crashes often involve people outside the bus too, such as drivers, cyclists and people walking. These pages may help: what to do if a city or county vehicle hit you, the six-month claim rule, pedestrians hit by a car in California, and who is liable for a company vehicle.
Common questions
Can I sue the city if I was hurt on a public bus?
Yes, but you generally must present a written claim to the public entity within six months of the injury first. A lawsuit can follow if the claim is denied or not resolved. Find out which agency runs the bus so the claim goes to the right place.
How long do I have to sue a private bus company?
In California, a personal injury lawsuit against a private company must generally be filed within two years. In Washington, the general deadline is three years. Start sooner, since bus video and records can be lost if nobody asks for them.
I was a passenger and the bus braked hard. Do I have a claim?
You may. It depends on why the driver stopped, how you were hurt, and what the video and witnesses show. Get medical care, keep your fare record, and write down other passengers’ names. A lawyer can review the facts and the deadlines.
What if a school bus hit my car?
If a school district runs the bus, the six-month written claim generally applies before any lawsuit. If a private company runs it under contract, the rules may differ. The police report and the name on the bus help show who to send the claim to.
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Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
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Sources
Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.