{"id":2430,"date":"2012-02-09T00:20:26","date_gmt":"2012-02-09T00:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/downtownlalaw.com\/?page_id=2430"},"modified":"2026-06-14T17:50:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T17:50:12","slug":"bus-accident-attorney","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/downtownlalaw.com\/es\/practice-areas\/bus-accident-attorney\/","title":{"rendered":"Accidentes de autob\u00fas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bus Accident Lawsuit<\/h1>\n
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INJURY ACCIDENT LAWYERS<\/h1>\n

BUS ACCIDENT LAWSUIT<\/h1>\n\"\"\n

Free Case Review<\/h1>\n

(<\/span>855)<\/span> 339–<\/span>8879<\/a><\/h1>\n\"\"\n

Many of us get on the bus on a daily basis or use them from time to time when it\u2019s more convenient than driving thru a sea of traffic. Some people also need to take the bus after an accident that results in serious damage to their car. But what if you had an accident involving a city transit, public school, or private bus?<\/p>\n

Buses come in various shapes and sizes, and there are currently around 1 million registered buses out on the road. This includes transit buses like LA Metro, school buses, and private buses for companies like Greyhound. According to recent estimates, there are around 53,000 bus crashes every year, and 14,000 of these events result in physical injuries. Approximately 35,000 people are injured in bus accidents on an annual basis, and about 250 crashes result in fatalities. It\u2019s estimated that only around 9% of those who are killed in bus accidents are passengers on the bus. Usually, it\u2019s a pedestrian or occupant in another vehicle that ends up with fatal injuries. This makes sense, considering that people inside the bus are better protected than someone on foot or those in smaller cars and non-motorized vehicles.<\/p>\n

Some of the available statistics point out how different types of buses may be more dangerous than others. For instance, school buses are the least likely to be involved in a crash, but then again, it\u2019s not really the type of bus that matters. Bus drivers are actually the most relevant factor, with drivers younger than 28 and over the age of 65 being the most likely to cause an accident. In fact, the highest rate of accidents is among drivers older than 65, no matter the type of bus and how it is used.<\/p>\n

These figures are interesting on one level, but at the end of the day, they represent actual victims who were injured or killed by a bus accident. This is why it\u2019s important to understand the cause of accidents on buses and how we can reduce the number of incidents. Victims and their families should also learn about their legal options, like filing a bus accident lawsuit for monetary compensation.<\/p><\/div>\n

What can Cause a Bus Accident?<\/span>\n

There is no singular reason for bus accidents in California, nor is there one party that is to blame for these accidents as a whole. It\u2019s fair to say that the majority of incidents are due to driver error, usually distractions or careless violations of traffic laws. However, this is just one of many causes behind bus accidents, so it\u2019s important to explore other avenues of how people can be injured by a bus. <\/p>\nBlind Spots<\/span>\n

Buses are extremely large and wide vehicles, and they only have a few mirrors to help the driver see what is around and behind the vehicle<\/a>. In short, there are many blind spots that make it impossible for the bus driver to see oncoming cars, bicyclists and people traveling on foot. Having said that, a bus driver must still exercise caution, like looking left, right, then left again, to ensure that no one is in the way, thereby minimizing the chance of a tragic incident. <\/p>\nInsufficient Training<\/span>\n

Driving a bus involves a greater body of knowledge and skills compared to operating the average automobile. Along with extensive training, bus drivers must have a CDL, or commercial driving license and a class B license, among other certifications. Furthermore, they must undergo a training period of at least a few weeks to ensure that they can properly make turns, come to a stop, and do other things that are quite challenging in such a large vehicle. Drivers must also be aware of passenger safety, especially with children, senior citizens, and disabled individuals. <\/p>\n

Sadly, drivers can sometimes to fast-tracked through the system because they have \u201cconnections,\u201d or there is a lack of oversight by the company or transportation authority. At the end of the day, an unskilled driver can be the difference between life and death for many individuals on board a bus. <\/p>\nDriver Fatigue<\/span>\n

Bus drivers have a long day ahead of them, and there may be tight deadlines that guarantee passengers will get from point A to B within a certain number of hours. Greyhound and Flex drivers, for example, may be required to drive for 10 or more hours at a time. This can cause drivers to be on the road without enough rest, thereby increasing the possibility of an accident. Fatigue is the leading cause of poor judgment and lowered reflexes, along with a tendency to fall asleep behind the wheel. Frankly, one can say that driving while exhausted is equally, if not, more dangerous as operating a bus while drunk or high on drugs. <\/p>\nDriving While Impaired<\/span>\n

Also known as driving under the influence, this is a term that refers to the operation of a motor vehicle while you are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication. Alcohol dependency is not uncommon among those who are on the road for long periods of time, like bus and truck drivers. Others may take illicit substances to stay awake or reduce their stress levels, and this too, can make it unsafe for them to be on the road. Even meds that are prescribed by a doctor can have side effects like drowsiness and reduced reflexes. Being impaired while operating a bus is illegal, and it\u2019s clear that far too many lives are at risk when the driver is operating a large, commercial vehicle. <\/p>\nReckless Driving<\/span>\n

Unfortunately, some bus drivers have a tendency to drive recklessly, even though they are responsible for many people\u2019s lives. Their actions may be out of impatience or a sense of entitlement, but no matter the cause, accidents can happen from speeding, illegal lane changes, running red lights, driving under bridges \/ overpasses that are too low and other traffic violations. Another possibility is tight deadlines and being overworked, which makes the driver tired and stressed, while trying to keep up with an overly demanding schedule. So, it\u2019s possible that the driver\u2019s employer shares some of the blame when there is a bus accident. <\/p>\nDefects with the Bus<\/span>\n

Public transportation agencies and private bus companies must maintain their buses and make all necessary repairs in a timely manner. Maintaining a bus requires specially trained engineers and mechanics, as there are many aspects of a bus that are very different compared to the average vehicle. From the right amount of tire pressure to ensuring that the windows are properly fitted, there are many key features that all work together to keep people from being injured on or by a bus.<\/p>\nEnvironmental Factors<\/span>\n

But drivers can end up on roads they are unfamiliar with or come across hazards they could not have anticipated. This can cause them to break the speed limit, get stuck in tight spots, and other circumstances that can lead to an accident. Bus accidents can also happen from potholes, sharp turns, steep hills, and other conditions that cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Finally, weather conditions like fog, heavy rain, and snowstorms also contribute to crashes and other accidents by buses. <\/p>\nNegligence by Fellow Drivers<\/span>\n

Aside from their own actions, bus drivers must anticipate the actions of others on the road. You never know when someone might cut you off, end up in the bus\u2019s blind spot, not leave enough space in between vehicles, and commit other acts that clearly put people\u2019s lives at risk. Bus drivers also have to follow specific procedures for checking both directions before they proceed through an intersection, just in case a pedestrian or fellow motorist tries to cross over. They must also keep an eye out for drivers that try to pass them on the right, which is a dangerous, but common practice.<\/p>\nInjuries Caused by a Bus Accident<\/span>\n

The potential for injury is much greater when you are in a bus versus a regular passenger vehicle. This can happen from many different events, like another vehicle crashing into the bus or the bus driver slamming on the brakes last minute to avoid an accident. No matter the circumstances, passengers can be thrown around and end up hitting metal poles, edges of seats, sharp corners, the floor, etc. and be seriously injured. Even if they\u2019re seated, the lack of seatbelts on many buses means that passengers can be harmed by crashing through a window, being ejected from their seats, and other horrifying experiences. <\/p>\n

Another type of accident has to do with unsafe conditions inside the bus, like slip and fall hazards on the floor. On private company buses, there may be overhead luggage compartments that come loose, resulting in a passenger being struck in the head by a falling<\/a> object. People can also get hurt if the straps or poles that passengers hold on to are not sturdy and properly installed. <\/p>\n

Those who are in other vehicles or walking around as pedestrians can be harmed as well. It\u2019s worth nothing that in most accidents, the buses have little to no damage because of their size and weight. The other parties, however, can be disabled or killed, even if they are merely tapped by a bus that\u2019s backing up or slowing down to a stop. <\/p>\n

To understand how serious these accidents can be, let\u2019s take a look at some of the injuries you can sustain from a bus accident: <\/p>\n