Top Bus Accident Lawyer in Palmdale, CA

Bus accidents in Parmdale have several common causes, including poor training, fatigued, drunk, or distracted drivers, irresponsible drivers surrounding the bus, poor maintenance, and road and weather conditions.

Public and private bus transportation providers are considered common carriers under California law.

Common carriers:

• Are created to transport passengers or goods from one place to another.
• Are open to the public.
• Charge a fee to transport their goods.

Bus companies that fail to protect their passengers can be held liable for the damages to passengers caused by their negligence. Hiring a bus accident lawyer in Palmdale, CA can help victims hold negligent transportation companies accountable.

Since 2018, California law requires that all new commercial buses be equipped with seatbelts. California Senate Bill 20 (passed in 2017) requires all passengers over the age of 8 on a commercial bus to wear a seatbelt. Failing to do so is punishable by a $20 ticket. Additionally, California Vehicle Code Section 27316 specifies that all school buses purchased or leased after 2005 must be equipped with seat belts.

For all buses that have seatbelts, bus companies are required to keep the seatbelts in good working order, and bus drivers are required to tell passengers before each trip that they are required to use their seatbelts.

Bus accident lawsuits can be very complex. This is because buses are often owned by large corporations, transportation authorities, or governments. In some cases, private parties rent buses for specific events, such as tourism or school trips.

When a bus driver or company causes an accident, a host of entities may be responsible for compensating victims for their injuries. These parties may include:

• The bus driver
• The company that employs the bus driver
• The company that owns or leases the bus
• The company responsible for maintaining the bus
• The government responsible for maintaining the roads where the accident occurred

Because powerful corporations or governments often back bus drivers, there may be an experienced legal team on the other side working against you to limit your recovery.

law permits victims with personal injuries to collect compensation from the at-fault party if they acted with negligence. A bus driver could be considered negligent if they fail to uphold their duty to passengers (i.e., the duty to drive safely), which causes physical injury to passengers.

If you’re injured in a bus accident lawsuit that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for claims related to:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Impairment of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium (the loss of companionship from an injured spouse)
• Lifecare expenses
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Workers’ compensation
• Punitive damages
• Wrongful death

California law requires that any lawsuit dealing with a bus or school bus accident be filed within a certain time period known as the statute of limitations. For most bus accidents, the statute of limitations is two years after the date of the accident. However, if the bus is owned by a public entity (i.e., a school, local government, or transportation authority), the statute of limitations may be reduced to 6 months from the date of the accident.

Prioritize safety and medical care first. Call 911, get checked by EMTs (even if injuries feel minor), and note the bus number/route, location, time, and agency (e.g., AVTA or school district). Photograph vehicles, scene, and visible injuries, collect witness names/contacts, and avoid giving recorded statements to any insurer before you speak with a bus accident lawyer in Palmdale, CA.

Buses are often common carriers with heightened safety duties, and multiple parties can be liable (driver, employer, maintenance contractor, manufacturer, or a public entity). There may be on‑board video, telematics, driver logs, and maintenance files to secure early, plus shorter notice deadlines if a government agency is involved. These cases also tend to involve more severe injuries and higher policy limits, which means tougher defense.

Yes. Claims against public entities follow special rules under California’s government‑claims process. That typically means filing a formal claim within a short window (often 6 months) before you can sue. If you miss it, your case can be at risk. Our team prepares and files these notices, tracks responses, and moves your case forward on time.

It can. Charter and tour buses are usually private carriers governed by different insurance structures and federal safety regulations, while public transit or school buses trigger government‑claim procedures and potential immunities. The liable parties, evidence sources, and deadlines can vary—your attorney will tailor strategy to the specific type of bus and operator.

Beyond your medical records and photos, bus cases often turn on surveillance from on‑board/CCTV cameras, GPS/telematics, driver qualification and hours‑of‑service records, dispatch data, incident reports, post‑crash drug/alcohol testing, and maintenance files. We send immediate evidence‑preservation (spoliation) letters to stop data from being overwritten.

California follows pure comparative negligence. That means you can still recover compensation even if you’re found partly at fault, although your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Standing passengers are foreseeable in buses, and many buses may not have belts for every rider. We build the case around the carrier’s heightened duty to protect passengers and the real‑world conditions on crowded routes.

Timelines vary with injury severity, the number of defendants, and whether a public entity is involved. Many cases resolve in settlement after medical treatment is well‑documented, but complex cases (catastrophic injuries, disputed liability) can take longer or go to trial. We’ll push for a full‑value resolution, and we’re prepared to try the case if that’s what it takes.

Care is typically paid first by your health insurance, Med‑Pay from your auto policy (if available), or through medical liens/letters of protection arranged by your attorney. After settlement or verdict, any lienholders are reimbursed from the recovery. We coordinate benefits and lien negotiations so treatment continues without unnecessary delays.

Because big cases demand big resources. Since 1985, we’ve won billions for clients and have the trial teams and experts to take on transit agencies, private operators, and their insurers. In 2021, our team secured California’s largest personal injury verdict ($120 million) a mindset we bring to every serious case. When you’re ready, speak with a bus accident lawyer in Lancaster, CA who is built for complex litigation and relentless advocacy.