Bus Accidents in Los Angeles & California — Personal Injury Claims

Bus accidents may involve city transit buses, school buses, private charter or tour buses, shuttle buses, or paratransit vehicles. While buses are often perceived as safe, when collisions do occur, the number of injured parties and severity can be substantial. Victims of bus accidents can include:

• bus passengers 
• the bus driver
• drivers and passengers of other vehicles
• pedestrians

California Bus Accident Risks & 2025 Trends

• Across the U.S., over 13,000 bus accidents occur annually: about 51 % result in injuries. 
• In California, in 2025, estimates show 138 fatal bus accidents and 5,913 non-fatal bus crashes statewide. 
• Among school buses, crash frequency is significant: nationwide, school bus–related crashes caused 128 fatalities in 2023 (up 23 % from 2022) and injured hundreds more. 
• In Los Angeles County, bus collisions are among the highest in the state. 
• A recent example: In May 2025, a tour bus collided with a disabled SUV on a Los Angeles freeway, resulting in one fatality and injuring 32. 

Key California Vehicle Codes & Regulatory Standards

Several California laws and codes are relevant to liability in bus accidents including but not limited to:

• Vehicle Code § 12517.1 defines a “schoolbus accident.”
• Vehicle Code § 22406 limits maximum speed for buses, including schoolbuses, to 55 mph on highways. 
• Vehicle Code § 21702 governs maximum hours a driver, including a schoolbus driver, may drive. 

Additionally, accidents involving public transit buses, municipal transit agency, or school districts may also involve more complex legal issues such as :

• sovereign immunity 
• shorter filing deadlines for plaintiffs: For example, in most cases involving a public entity, the filing deadline is 6 months from the date of the accident, which is substantially shorted than the 2 year deadline to file a claim against a private individual or company.
• additional procedural rules such as, for example, the requirement of file a notice of claim with the appropriate government agency

Liability & Fault in California Bus Accidents

Establishing liability in a bus accident may involve multiple potential defendants:

1. Bus driver negligence — e.g. speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, unsafe lane changes, fatigue violations 
2. Bus company / transit authority — An employer may be vicariously liable for the actions of its driver. 
3. Third-party drivers or vehicles — in some bus collisions, drivers of other vehicles may bear fault. 
4. Maintenance and vehicle defects — mechanical failures, brake malfunctions, or tire defects may implicate maintenance providers or manufacturers.
5. Public entity immunity or special rules — when school buses or public transit are involved, special governmental immunity rules or limited claims calendars may apply. 

Compensation for Victims of Bus Accidents

Due to the sheer size and weight of buses, victims in bus crashes will unfortunately often suffer catastrophic injuries. These can range from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to spinal cord, bone fracture, internal organ damage, amputation, and psychological trauma.  Whether the injuries are catastrophic or minor, victims of bus accidents may recover damages for:

• past medical expenses, as well as future medical care
• lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity, 
• pain and suffering, 
• punitive damages could be claimed in certain factual circumstances that show, for example, recklessness from the at-fault party

How the Law Offices of Ali Taheripour Can Help

At The Law Offices of Ali Taheripour, we represent bus accident victims across Los Angeles and Woodland Hills. We have extensive experience in representing our clients against defendants and insurance companies that attempt to minimize their liability. If you or your loved one have been the victim of a bus accident, do not hesitate: Contact us today for a consultation.