San Francisco Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents can involve various liable parties, including government entities and private charter companies. These types of third parties often complicate the claims process. 

At Vaziri Law, LLP, our bus accident lawyer serving San Francisco works to help injured individuals recover compensation through a claim or a lawsuit. With over 200 years of combined experience, our team understands how to handle cases involving public transit operators, private bus companies, and other responsible parties. 

Our San Francisco personal injury lawyers take a selective approach to cases, allowing us to provide focused attention and build strong relationships with our clients while pursuing the compensation they deserve. Call us now for a free consultation. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bus Accident?

Liability for bus accidents rarely rests on one party. Even if a bus driver’s negligence is clearly the primary cause of the collision, other factors often contribute. Our attorneys investigate every aspect of the accident to identify all responsible parties, including employers and third-party drivers. 

Since buses are typically commercial vehicles, vicarious liability may also apply, holding employers accountable for the actions of their drivers while operating within the scope of their job. 

Public Transportation Agencies

When government-operated buses, such as those run by Muni or Golden Gate Transit, are involved in an accident, liability may fall on the agency overseeing the transit system. Public entities are required to properly maintain their fleets and train their drivers. 

Claims against government agencies have specific deadlines and generally require a notice of claim to be filed within six months under California Government Code § 911.2.

Private Bus Companies

Charter buses, tour buses, and shuttles usually operate under private companies, which are responsible for ensuring the safety of their drivers and passengers. 

Employers can face liability for the negligent actions of their drivers under vicarious liability, as long as the driver was performing work-related duties at the time of the accident.

If inadequate training, poor maintenance, or violations of safety regulations contributed to the crash, the bus company may bear direct liability. 

Bus Drivers and Third-Party Maintenance Contractors

Bus drivers are expected to operate their vehicles with care. If a driver’s negligence caused the crash, they may be held accountable. 

Maintenance contractors hired by a bus company to service the vehicle can also share responsibility if their failure to properly inspect or repair the bus contributed to the accident. Issues like faulty brakes or engine failures often point to maintenance errors.

What Makes Our Bus Accident Attorneys Serving San Francisco Different?

At Vaziri Law, LLP, we take a unique approach to representing clients, focusing on quality over quantity. Maintaining a selective caseload, we dedicate the time and resources needed to build strong cases and provide personalized attention to every client.

With over 200 years of combined experience, our team has handled some of the most challenging personal injury cases, including bus accidents involving public transit agencies and private companies. We have built strong relationships with clients, trusted medical professionals, and referral partners, so that our clients receive the care they need to recover from their injuries.

Over the years, we have recovered more than $1 billion in case results for our clients. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but our track record reflects our focus on building meaningful relationships and providing the representation that injured individuals deserve.

Can You Recover Compensation if You Were Partially at Fault?

You may still be able to recover compensation even if you shared some fault for a bus accident, due to California’s pure comparative negligence law. Your compensation would be reduced according to your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovering damages entirely.

Insurance companies, especially those representing large private corporations, may attempt to shift more of the fault for the collision onto injured victims.

Our bus accident attorney serving San Francisco carefully analyzes the circumstances of your case to challenge any unfair claims of fault made by other parties or insurance companies. 

What Types of Damages Do Our Bus Collision Lawyers Serving San Francisco Pursue?

Our team of attorneys has extensive experience seeking a range of damages for bus accident victims, who often suffer serious injuries and face significant financial strain after a collision. These damages aim to address both the immediate and long-term impact of the accident.

Potential financial recovery can include: 

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Disability-related costs
• In-home aid and care
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

We focus on pursuing compensation that reflects the full scope of harm and helps victims recover the resources they need to move forward.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Bus Accident Lawsuits in California?

The statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing a bus accident lawsuit, and failing to meet it can result in losing your right to seek compensation. In California, the timeframe depends on the type of claim and who is responsible for the accident. For example:

• Personal injury lawsuits: Victims of bus accidents generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
• Wrongful death lawsuits: If a bus accident results in the loss of a loved one, family members also generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
• Claims against government entities: If the accident involves a public transit agency, such as Muni or Golden Gate Transit, victims or their families have to file a notice of claim with the government entity within six months of the accident under California Government Code § 911.2.

Few exceptions to this statute of limitations exist, and delays can jeopardize your ability to recover damages. 

Call Us for Help After Suffering Injuries in a Bus Accident

Vaziri Law, LLP provides experienced legal representation to help victims and their families hold the responsible parties accountable. With extensive experience handling bus collision cases, our team is committed to pursuing the compensation needed to rebuild lives.

Call us now to access a free, no-obligation consultation.