San Diego Bus Accident Lawyers

Bus Accident Lawyers Serving San Diego, CA and Surrounding Areas

Busses are one of the most popular forms of transportation in San Diego, serving more than 6.8 million riders per month on average. With over 900 busses and trolley cars in its fleet, the Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) ridership only continues to grow throughout the city and surrounding areas of San Diego, surpassing 80 million annual trips for the first time since before the pandemic. Unfortunately, increased bus and trolley traffic in San Diego is directly related to increased accidents.

Bus accidents can impact both the occupants of the bus and the occupants of the vehicle struck by the bus, and sometimes innocent by-standers or pedestrians. Regardless of how you were injured, our team of San Diego bus accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm can help you get the best result possible.

Why Choose The Barnes Firm for Your San Diego Bus Accident Case?

• Local San Diego attorneys: Our team is based here in San Diego. We know the local court system, how MTS and its insurers typically handle claims, and what it takes to build a strong case in this city specifically.
• Backed by national resources: As part of a firm with over 500 years of combined experience and more than $2.5 billion recovered for injured clients nationwide, our local attorneys can draw on resources most solo or small-firm practices can’t match.
• Bus and trolley claims often involve a public transit agency, which means strict deadlines and procedures that don’t apply to an ordinary car accident claim. Our attorneys know how to navigate a claim against MTS or another government entity from day one.
• We always offer free consultations with no obligation to hire our firm. If you choose The Barnes Firm, you pay nothing unless we obtain compensation for you.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Bus Accident in California?

If you have been involved in a bus accident and have sustained injuries or property damage as a result, you may be entitled to recover damages from the responsible party. Some common types of damages that our attorneys have recovered for clients injured in bus accidents include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical therapy
• Wrongful death

It is important to note that to recover damages, you will need to prove that the other party was at fault for the accident. This is often a complex process and it’s important to have an experienced bus accident attorney from The Barnes Firm on your side.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a San Diego Bus Accident?

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, several parties may be held liable. Our team of San Diego bus accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm have handled many cases involving bus accidents and have found liability in a bus accident may be assigned to:

• The bus driver. If the bus driver was negligent or reckless in operating the bus, they may be held liable for the accident.
• The bus company. The bus company may be held liable if they failed to properly maintain the bus, or if they allowed an unqualified or untrained driver to operate the bus.
• The manufacturer of the bus or its parts. If a defect in the bus or one of its parts contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable.
• Other drivers. If another driver was involved in the accident and was at fault, they may be held liable.
• Government agencies. If the accident was caused by poor road conditions or other issues that were the responsibility of a government agency, the agency may be held liable.

Determining liability in a bus crash can be complex and will depend upon the specific circumstances of the accident. An experienced San Diego bus accident attorney at The Barnes Firm can help determine who may be held liable and assist with pursuing a claim for damages.

Filing a Claim Against MTS or a Government Entity

Most buses and trolleys in San Diego are operated by the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), a public agency. That matters because claims against a government entity follow different, stricter rules than a claim against a private driver or company.

Under California’s Government Claims Act, you generally must file a formal written claim with the public entity within six months of the accident, far shorter than the two-year deadline that applies to most other personal injury claims. Miss that window, and you may permanently lose your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how strong your case would otherwise be.

Public entities also often conduct their own internal investigations after an accident, which may not fully account for a rider’s injuries and losses. An experienced attorney can help make sure your claim is filed correctly, on time, and supported by the evidence needed to hold MTS or another agency accountable.

MTS also operates the San Diego Trolley. If you were injured while riding, boarding, or simply near a San Diego trolley, our attorneys can help you pursue compensation the same way we would for a bus accident claim.

Do I Need an Attorney After a Bus Accident?

If you or a loved one were injured in a bus accident, you should be focused on recovering from your injuries. Unfortunately, you will most likely be dealing with an insurance company. Before accepting an offer from insurance, you should speak with an experienced bus accident attorney at The Barnes Firm. With decades of combined experience, our San Diego bus accident lawyers are known for holding negligent parties responsible to help our clients get the best result possible. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation. It could be the best call you make.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in San Diego

Driving a bus requires extreme care and precision from the bus driver. Often, a bus driver neglects this duty, and a bus accident occurs. Our team of San Diego bus accident lawyers have represented many clients injured in bus accidents. While handling these cases, we have found that the most common causes of bus accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Unsafe turns
• Driver inexperience
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Speeding

Common Types of Bus Accidents in San Diego, CA

There are a variety of buses that travel through San Diego every day transporting people to and from their destinations, including school buses, passenger buses, shuttle buses, and tourist buses. Several types of accidents can occur with these buses, including:

• Collisions with other vehicles. This type of accident occurs when a bus collides with another vehicle, such as a car, SUV, or truck.
• Single-vehicle accidents. These accidents can happen when the bus swerves off the road and strikes an object or rolls over.
• Pedestrian accidents. These collisions occur when a bus strikes a pedestrian.
• Cyclist accidents. These accidents occur when a bus collides with a bicyclist.
• Rollover accidents. Rollover accidents occur when a bus flips onto its side or roof. These accidents can be particularly serious due to the size and weight of the bus.
• Rear-end collisions. These accidents occur when a bus is hit from behind by another vehicle.

Injuries From Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, depending on the severity of the accident and the circumstances involved. Some common injuries that can result from a bus accident include:

• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Whiplash
• Fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a bus accident, even if you do not think you have been seriously injured. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and it’s important to get a thorough evaluation to ensure that you receive the necessary treatment. After seeking medical attention, call The Barnes Firm at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation.

Speak With a Bus Accident Lawyer at The Barnes Firm Today

Victims of bus accidents have enough on their plate without having to worry about collecting evidence and trying to seek compensation. If you or a loved one were injured in a bus accident in San Diego or a surrounding area, The Barnes Firm is here to help you get the results you deserve.

Call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation. It could be the best call you make.