Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney
Request Free ConsultationIf you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Los Angeles, Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP can help. Our Los Angeles bus accident lawyers have significant experience handling collisions involving buses and understand how to succeed in complex cases.
Whether the bus involved was operated by a school district, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), or a private bus company, our attorneys are ready to build a strong case on your behalf. We handle all Los Angeles bus accident claims on a contingency fee basis, and the consultation is absolutely free. Contact us today to speak with a skilled Los Angeles accident attorney.
Meet Your Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorneys
Our Experience in Los Angeles Bus Accident Cases
At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars fighting for justice on behalf of those injured in bus crashes. We have held both public and private entities responsible for the damage their drivers and vehicles have caused. We can and will leverage this experience and expertise on your behalf. Some relevant cases include:
- Doe vs. Bus Company $32,500,000 A bus accident caused severe internal injuries to a minor.
- Sims v. Mountain Area Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) $7,000,000 Settlement of $7 million for severe traumatic brain injury sustained by the plaintiff, who was struck by a bus while crossing a street in Big Bear, and struck her head on the pavement when she fell to the ground.
- Cellamare v. Laidlaw $5,600,000
- Heaven v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) $4,000,000
- Staley vs. Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) $3,200,000 Carolyn Staley, a 21-year-old UCLA student, was struck in an MTA Bus Accident. Brian Panish argued that the defendant (MTA) was responsible for the accident and his client’s significant injuries. Case Settled for $3,200,000.
At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are leaders in complex consumer litigation, including cases involving automotive defects, bus accidents, and very serious injuries. Our partners have been repeatedly nominated as Trial Lawyers of the Year, Most Influential Attorneys, and for other professional awards, and regularly speak and write about trial practice to other attorneys.
How Our Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorneys Can Help You
No matter how you sustained it, a serious injury dramatically – and often permanently – impacts your life. Victims who are injured in these crashes will be forced to handle a wide range of difficulties they have likely never faced before, including physically recovering from their injuries, paying for their medical bills, and finding a way to return to their normal lives.
At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, we understand how challenging this time can be, and that’s why we are here to help. We can be the strength by your side and build a strong case for justice, while you focus on recovery. If you retain our attorneys to represent you, we will begin working on your behalf immediately. Our attorneys can:
- Begin an investigation into the facts of the crash
- Locate and interview the witnesses to the collision
- Gather your medical records from relevant healthcare providers
- Locate and acquire all of the physical evidence of the crash, including bus maintenance records,
- Identify the responsible party or entity to ensure they pay you the money they owe
- File a lawsuit and litigate your case in court if no fair settlement can be reached
You don’t have to go through the aftermath of a serious injury on your own. Our attorneys are knowledgeable, compassionate, and have developed a deep understanding of how to handle these cases.
How Safe Are Buses in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles County, hundreds of buses are involved in collisions each year. From 2019-2025, there were over 1,900 bus crashes in the county, leaving nearly 1,450 injured and over 50 dead.
As previously mentioned, bus travel is relatively safe – especially for bus occupants. However, the size and design of buses that help protect passengers also puts occupants of smaller vehicles or non-motorists at risk. In fact, over 100 of those crashes involved a pedestrian or bicyclist.
While just under half of those crashes occurred in the city of Los Angeles, nearly every city in Los Angeles County saw at least one bus crash during this time period. The top 10 include:
- 1. Los Angeles 919 bus crashes
- 2. Long Beach 80 bus crashes
- 3. Santa Monica 39 bus crashes
- 4. Pasadena 33 bus crashes
- 5. Pomona 33 bus crashes
- 6. Lancaster 30 bus crashes
- 7. Inglewood 27 bus crashes
- 8. Downey 26 bus crashes
- 9. West Covina 23 bus crashes
- T-10.Norwalk 21 bus crashes
- T-10. Palmdale 21 bus crashes
Recognition For Our Hard Work
Liability in Los Angeles Bus Crashes
In California, bus operators are classified as common carriers, and their vehicles and drivers are held to a higher standard than other passenger vehicles. California Civil Code requires them to exercise the utmost care and diligence for the safety of passengers and that they provide safe vehicles, conduct regular maintenance, and adequately train employees, such as bus drivers.
If a collision was the result of negligence, the operator of the bus can be held liable for the damage and injuries they cause. This includes errors or negligence on behalf of their drivers, such as:
- Carelessness or inattention
- Distracted Driving
- Driver Fatigue
- Speeding & Aggressive Driving:
- Driving Under the Influence
- Following too closely
- Failure to signal
- Ignoring or disregarding traffic signals
It can also include other negligence or inadequacies in training, hiring, maintenance, and even defective mechanical parts, such as:
- Inadequate training or negligent hiring
- Inadequate or negligent maintenance
- Brake failures due to malfunctioning or worn-out brakes
- Tire failures and blowouts
- Steering system issues
- Faulty lights or signals, such as defective headlights, taillights, or turn signals
- Mechanical failures in the engine or transmission.
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Common Injuries in Los Angeles Bus Accidents
Injuries sustained from bus crashes can be severe and can differ drastically depending upon the type of road user or class of vehicle a victim is an occupant of. Of course, pedestrians and cyclists who are struck by buses are at the highest risk of suffering a fatal injury, but are also vulnerable to severe crush injuries and major brain or spinal cord injuries. Occupants of passenger vehicles are also extremely vulnerable to serious injury and typically bear the brunt of the damage when involved in a crash with a much larger bus. Severe injuries can include:
- Death
- Spinal cord injury
- Head and brain trauma
- Crushing injuries that can require amputation or leave victims with permanent disability
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Injuries to the lower extremities
- Wrist and arm injuries, particularly for bus occupants who are thrown around the vehicle in a crash
- and more
Damages We Can Help You Recover After a Bus Accident
If you were injured in a bus accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses under California law. These damages are meant to help you recover financially and account for the ways the accident has affected your life.
Medical Expenses: Compensation for medical bills related to your injuries, including both past and future treatment costs.
Lost Wages: Compensation for income you missed while recovering from your injuries, as well as future lost income if your injuries prevent you from working.
Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensation for a reduced ability to earn a living if your injuries affect your ability to work or advance in your career.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident.
Punitive Damages: In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish especially reckless or wrongful conduct. Unlike other damages, these are not intended to compensate the injured person for losses.
Every bus accident case is different, and the compensation available will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your claim. An experienced attorney can help evaluate your damages and pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to recover.
Call Panish | Shea |Ravipudi LLP for a Free Consultation
You don’t have to deal with the aftermath of a serious injury alone.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a collision involving a bus anywhere in Los Angeles County, please contact us as soon as you are able. We will listen to the facts of your case, thoroughly explain your legal options, and, if you decide to retain our attorneys, work tirelessly on your behalf to hold the bus company, public entity, or other drivers who were responsible for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles accident lawyers, please contact us today.