California is an exciting tourist destination, but when tourists fly into our beautiful state, they usually don’t bring vehicles. This means that they either have to rent a car — which is prohibitively expensive — or they navigate the use of public and private bus transportation. It is very common to see large private tour buses loaded with tour groups and visitors.
In most cases, private and public buses are a very safe means of transportation. However, unsafe drivers, negligent drivers bad maintenance, dangerous road conditions, and defective parts can cause these giant vehicles to get into injurious and deadly accidents just like any other vehicle on the road.
In some situations, accidents and associated deaths and injuries are the direct fault of the company or authority in charge of the bus. In other situations, they are the direct fault of a bus or motor vehicle part manufacturer, or the fault of another driver on the road. It may be difficult to pinpoint who exactly was at fault — and it could be that multiple parties were at fault — in a bus accident, but one thing is certain. The crash will not be the fault of injured or deceased bus passengers.
At Beston International Law Firm, we are passionate advocates for any person who has been hurt — and for the family members of people who have been killed — due to the negligence or unlawful activity of others. If you believe you have a potential lawsuit regarding an injury or death, we are available to review the facts of your case and advise you of your legal rights and options.
We can bring suit against the appropriate entities for catastrophic accidents in Southern California involving:
Our bus accident lawyers in New York are dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have suffered life-altering injuries or lost loved ones in bus accidents. Call us today at 6463059656 or send us a message online to arrange a free consultation. We’re available 24/7.
Bus accidents can change your life in an instant. Due to the sheer size and weight of a bus, such collisions often cause extremely serious injuries and fatalities.
Sadly, victims often face an uphill battle when seeking legal recovery.
Bus accidents pose complex legal issues because many different factors may contribute to an accident. For instance, multiple parties may be liable, including municipalities or other governmental entities that have immunity, and the victims’ losses are often extensive.
Catastrophic injuries often incurred in these accidents include:
These types of injuries require emergency medical care and often months or years in the hospital. Those victims who are fortunate enough to survive face a lifetime of permanent disabilities, impairments, and disfigurement.
Losses associated with such catastrophic injuries include ongoing medical treatments, rehabilitation, and lifetime living assistance. Such expenses quickly climb into the millions and keep climbing, placing massive financial burdens on victims and their families on top of the other devastating losses and challenges they face.
Buses are commercial vehicles that must adhere to the numerous FMCSA and California state regulations that apply to the commercial transportation industry. Buses are also “common carriers,” as they transport passengers for hire. California law holds common carriers to higher standards of care than other drivers.
While most drivers must use reasonable care while operating their vehicles, common carrier drivers must use “the utmost care and diligence” for the safety of passengers. They must also exercise a “reasonable degree of skill.”
Bus companies are responsible to meet the following regulations:
Unfortunately, both bus companies and bus drivers often violate these regulations, creating unnecessary risks of harm for bus passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and anyone else on the road.
Depending on the type of bus involved, the liable parties may include:
Our bus accident attorneys in New York hold bus drivers and bus companies to these higher standards—by holding them fully liable when breaching this duty causes devastating injuries to our clients. We have an extensive track record of identifying and holding negligent parties responsible for catastrophic bus accidents.
Seek medical attention first. Then, try to gather the following:
Contact our New York bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
Yes. The statute of limitations in California for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity (such as LA Metro or a school district) is involved, you must file a government claim within six months of the accident. Missing this deadline can bar your claim.
Yes, but claims against public entities like LA Metro or LADOT follow special rules under the California Government Claims Act. You must file an administrative claim with the agency first—within 6 months—before you can sue.
You may be able to recover compensation for:
In wrongful death cases, survivors may seek funeral costs and loss of companionship.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
The timeline varies. Simple claims may settle within a few months, while more complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or government agencies may take a year or more to resolve. A lawyer can help expedite the process.
Bus accident cases are often complex and involve multiple parties, insurance companies, and legal deadlines—especially if a government entity is involved. Hiring an experienced New York bus accident lawyer can significantly improve your chances of a fair settlement.
The large settlements and awards obtained by our firm not only bring our clients justice and financial recovery, but also serve to make the community safer.
These cases bring attention to regulatory violations that put both California residents and visitors at risk. They also can act as a significant deterrent for companies and municipalities who might otherwise violate safety regulations and encourage enforcement of policies and practices that keep everyone on the roads safe.
At Beston International Law Firm, our attorneys are dedicated to making our roads safer and preventing needless deaths and traumatic injuries from bus accidents.
Our successes total more than $100 million in compensation for clients who suffered devastating injuries or lost loved ones in bus accidents. We help our clients and their families rebuild their lives by obtaining justice and the compensation that the victims of these traumatic accidents deserve.
Reach out to our New York bus accident lawyer today by calling 6463059656 or contacting us online.
Named in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” Beston International Law Firm ranks as Tier 1 Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs in New York.
Many firm members have been honored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, including Browne Greene, Christine Spagnoli, and Bruce Broillet, recipients of the Marvin E. Lewis Award. In addition, attorneys Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr, Molly McKibben, and Tobin Lanzetta has been honored with the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award.
All of our attorneys are proud to be active members of the New York County Bar Association or LACBA.
Our attorneys were featured in TopVerdict for having one of the Top 10 Wrongful Death Verdicts in California in 2019, with $15 million won for the plaintiff in Keck v. Bel-Air Bay Club.
Partners Geoff Wells and Ivan Puchalt were both named among the 2025 Consumer Attorney Visionaries by LA Times Studios.
Several partners are active members in the Consumer Attorneys Association of New York, with attorneys Browne Greene, Bruce Broillet, and Christine Spagnoli named “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Firm partners Christine D. Spagnoli and Molly McKibben have both been honored by the Women Lawyers Association of New York and are active members.
After winning $2.6 million for the plaintiff’s side in a head-on collision case, our victory was named in the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.
Several of our partners are members in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national invite-only association consisting of the most experienced trial lawyers.
Our team includes several Fellows and Associates with the invite-only International Society of Barristers in recognition of their trial advocacy.
Beston International Law Firm, was featured by TopVerdict in the Top 100 Settlements across all practice areas in California for 2019.
Bruce A. Broillet and Christine D. Spagnoli are Fellows with the invite-only International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a group of elite trial lawyers from over 30 countries.
Recipients of this recognition are held up to the same standards as for The Best Lawyers in America, but only legal professionals in the first ten years of their careers qualify. Four attorneys at GBW have been recognized with this award in 2021.
Founding partners Browne Greene and Bruce A. Broillet are both members of the exclusive invite-only Inner Circle of Advocates, as two of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in America.
Our firm has more attorneys on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists than any other law firm in Southern California, with 15 members selected.
