Liability for Bus Passenger Injuries
Liability for Bus Passenger Injuries

Buses are a commonly used mode of public transportation in California. Buses are usually a fairly safe way to travel, but bus accidents do happen. If you are injured in a bus accident, who is responsible?

The Common Carrier Rule

Buses fall under the category of “common carriers.” In California, this rule contends that common carriers have a higher duty of care when providing transportation. It is actually a higher standard of care than that owed by an ordinary driver, who is expected to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm. Common carriers are to “do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under the circumstances to avoid harm to passengers.”

What does this mean when it comes to liability for a bus accident? A bus company and/or the bus driver can be held liable for your injuries for failing to adhere to regulations that apply to the carrier, or by failing to exercise the elevated level of care expected of a common carrier. Like any personal injury claim, you will have to establish that the bus driver of bus company was negligent in some way, and that the negligence directly contributed to your injuries.

Depending on what went wrong that caused your injury, the defendant in a bus injury claim might not always be the driver or the bus company. If, for instance, there was a defect in the bus design that contributed to your injury, the designer of the bus or bus part that injured you might actually be liable. Your personal injury attorney can help determine who might be liable by collecting the facts about the case and gathering evidence. 

Statute of Limitations for Bus Injury Claims

If you were injured in a bus accident, it is important to know whether the bus was a public bus or a private bus. Because public buses are government-owned, you will need to adhere to the statute of limitations for a claim against a government agency. That statute is six months from the time of the injury.

If you were injured on a private bus, such as a tour bus, then you will be filing a claim against a private company. The statute of limitations for these types of claims is two years from the time of the injury.  

“If you have been injured on a bus or other public transportation carrier, be sure to speak with a personal injury attorney as early as possible, to ensure your claim is filed within the allowable time,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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