While buses provide a relatively safe way for San Diego residents to commute to work, go to school, or tour the city’s attractions, they are not without serious safety risks. A single moment of a bus driver’s inattention or negligence can result in a lifetime of pain and grief for a bus accident victim and their families.
A San Diego bus accident lawyer with Walton Law, APC, can help you through the challenging days and months that follow a bus crash. We’ve seen firsthand how bus accident injuries impact every part of a survivor’s life and how loved ones are left directionless after losing a loved one in a bus crash. Witnessing that kind of pain is what drives us to serve those who need help the most.
Call Walton Law, APC today for a free consultation. We’ll talk about your case and discuss your best legal options for obtaining maximum compensation for all your suffering and losses.
San Diego Bus Accidents Guide
- Why Choose Walton Law, APC for Your San Diego Bus Accident Case?
- Why Bus Accidents Are So Dangerous
- What Causes Bus Accidents in San Diego?
- Do I Have a Solid Bus Accident Claim?
- Let Walton Law, APC Handle the Insurance Companies
- Who May Be Held Liable in a Bus Accident Case?
- Common Bus Accident Injuries
- What Compensation Is Available to Bus Accident Victims?
- What to Do After a Bus Accident in San Diego County
- How Can a Lawyer Help With My San Diego Bus Accident Case?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accidents in San Diego
- Contact the San Diego Bus Accident Lawyers at Walton Law, APC Today
Why Choose Walton Law, APC for Your San Diego Bus Accident Case?
When your life is suddenly disrupted by a serious accident, choosing the right law firm can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. At Walton Law, APC, we approach every case with care and personalized attention.
Our team of San Diego personal injury attorneys knows how much you have at stake. It’s a responsibility we take to heart. It’s also what motivates us to fight relentlessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients by holding powerful entities accountable, including large insurance companies and transit operators. Our trial attorneys are not afraid to take your case to court if the at-fault party refuses to settle.
We understand how emotionally and financially draining this experience can be, so we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
Clients frequently praise our responsiveness, compassion, and ability to handle even the most complex injury cases with calm confidence. If you’re searching for legal support that puts your needs first, Walton Law, APC is here to help.
Why Bus Accidents Are So Dangerous
Bus accidents are unlike typical car crashes. These are high-impact incidents involving oversized vehicles that may lack basic safety features found in most passenger cars. When a bus collides with another vehicle or flips onto its side, the scale of damage is often far greater than in a standard auto accident.
Many buses do not have seatbelts, and almost none are equipped with airbags. The sheer size and weight of a bus increase the force of a collision and heighten the risk of injuries. Passengers are often standing, moving, or sitting without restraint when a crash occurs, which makes them more vulnerable to serious harm.
Types of bus accidents in San Diego include:
- School bus accidents
- City and transit bus crashes
- Charter and tour bus collisions
- Intercity bus crashes (Greyhound, Megabus, for example)
- Shuttle bus and airport transportation accidents
Some buses are required to have seat belts under California law, especially newer school buses. However, many vehicles in operation today still do not offer this protection. Ironically, improperly used seat belts or lap-only restraints can sometimes increase injury risk in high-impact crashes, particularly in rollovers.
Hotspots for bus accidents in San Diego include:
- Interstate 5 near Downtown and Old Town
- State Route 94 through Southeastern San Diego
- University Avenue in City Heights
- Highway 163 at the interchange with I-8
- Balboa Avenue near the bus depot areas
Each of these areas sees high traffic volumes and frequent bus travel, making them especially prone to multi-vehicle accidents and pedestrian-related incidents.
What Causes Bus Accidents in San Diego?
Several factors contribute to bus accidents in San Diego, ranging from driver behavior to vehicle maintenance. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver fatigue or distraction
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Inadequate training or supervision
- Faulty maintenance or mechanical failure
- Dangerous road conditions
- Poor weather or visibility
- Pedestrian or cyclist interactions
- Other motorists’ unsafe maneuvers
Buses are more difficult to steer and stop, and visibility can be limited. When you add time pressures or poor maintenance into the mix, it becomes an easy formula for accidents.
Do I Have a Solid Bus Accident Claim?
To bring a successful bus accident claim, you must show that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. Negligence is a legal term that means someone failed to act as a reasonable person (or company) should have under the circumstances.
To win your case, your attorney must demonstrate that:
- The responsible party owed you a duty of care (for instance, a bus driver must operate the vehicle safely).
- They breached that duty by acting recklessly or carelessly.
- That breach directly caused your injuries.
- You suffered losses or harm—physical, emotional, or financial.
You may have a valid claim, whether you were a passenger on the bus, another driver, a cyclist, or a pedestrian. Walton Law, APC can assess the facts and help you understand whether you have a legal path forward.
Let Walton Law, APC Handle the Insurance Companies
After a bus accident, the transportation company’s insurance carrier may contact you quickly, sometimes within hours or days, to offer a settlement. It might sound like a relief at first, especially when bills are piling up. But these early offers are rarely in your best interest.
Insurers are trained to minimize payouts. Their goal is to protect their company’s profits, not your well-being. When you work with a lawyer at Walton Law, APC, we take over communication with the insurance adjusters so you can focus on recovery. We fight to ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your injuries, medical costs, pain and suffering, and long-term needs.
Never agree to a settlement or give a recorded statement before speaking with an experienced San Diego bus accident attorney. Accepting these low offers can affect you and your family for years to come.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Bus Accident Case?
Bus accident claims can involve multiple parties, especially in a city like San Diego, where public transit, private charters, and school buses all operate alongside heavy traffic. Determining liability isn’t always straightforward, but a thorough investigation can uncover the root causes and responsible entities.
Parties that may be liable in a bus crash include:
- The bus driver, if they were distracted, fatigued, intoxicated, or driving recklessly.
- The bus company, for poor hiring practices, lack of training, or inadequate vehicle maintenance.
- A government agency, such as the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), when public buses are involved.
- A private charter or tour company, if a privately owned bus caused the crash.
- Another driver, who may have caused the crash by swerving, tailgating, or breaking traffic laws.
- Maintenance contractors, if improper repairs or missed safety checks contributed to the accident.
- Bus manufacturers, in rare cases involving design defects or faulty components.
Bus companies often try to deflect blame by pointing fingers at others. That’s why it’s critical to have a San Diego bus accident lawyer who knows how to investigate and hold the right parties accountable.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accident victims often suffer serious, life-altering injuries. Without the protection of airbags, seatbelts, or padded interiors, passengers—and those outside the bus—can sustain trauma from blunt force, ejection, or crushing impacts.
Some of the most common bus accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Caused by sudden jolts or impacts, TBIs can result in lasting cognitive and emotional challenges.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spine may lead to partial or full paralysis, requiring lifelong care and mobility assistance.
- Fractures and broken bones – High-impact crashes often lead to breaks in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis.
- Internal injuries – Blunt trauma can rupture internal organs or cause internal bleeding, which may not be immediately obvious.
- Lacerations and soft tissue damage – Broken glass, sharp objects, and torn metal can cause deep cuts, nerve damage, and permanent scarring.
- Burns – In rare cases involving vehicle fires, victims may sustain first, second, or third-degree burns.
- Psychological trauma – Accidents of this scale can leave emotional scars, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen over time. It’s essential to receive a full medical evaluation and legal review to understand the true extent of your damages.
What Compensation Is Available to Bus Accident Victims?
If you were injured in a bus accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. This financial recovery is meant to help cover your losses—both economic and non-economic—and provide support for the future.
Types of compensation may include:
- Medical expenses – Hospital bills, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages – Income you missed due to the accident and time spent recovering.
- Loss of future earnings – If your injury impacts your ability to work long-term or permanently.
- Pain and suffering – Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the trauma.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Reduced quality of life or inability to engage in activities you once enjoyed.
- Wrongful death damages – If a loved one was killed in a bus accident, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and loss of companionship.
Calculating the value of a bus accident case takes experience and insight. Walton Law, APC, works closely with medical professionals, financial experts, and life care planners to ensure your claim includes the full scope of your needs.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in San Diego County
If you’ve already sought emergency medical care or are currently receiving treatment, your health remains the top priority. But there are other important steps you can take to protect your legal rights and preserve evidence that supports your claim.
Here’s what you should do next:
- Hire a lawyer – Speak with a San Diego bus accident lawyer at Walton Law, APC as soon as possible. We’ll handle the legal issues while you focus on recovery.
- Keep all medical appointments – Follow your doctor’s instructions and attend every treatment session. Gaps in care can be used against you.
- Document your experience – Use a journal or phone video to describe your pain levels, emotional struggles, and how the injury impacts your daily life.
- Save all paperwork – Keep copies of medical bills, accident reports, pay stubs, and insurance correspondence.
- Don’t post on social media – Insurance companies may use your posts to downplay your injuries or dispute your claim.
- Do not talk to the bus company’s insurer without legal advice – Even casual conversations can harm your case.
Taking the right steps now can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
How Can a Lawyer Help With My San Diego Bus Accident Case?
Bus accident cases are different from other personal injury claims. They often involve commercial policies, government entities, and complex rules about who is liable and how long you have to act. When you work with Walton Law, APC, you’ll have a dedicated advocate in your corner—someone who knows how to fight for what you’re owed.
We’ll launch a full investigation, gather critical evidence, consult with experts, and communicate with the insurers so you don’t have to. Whether your case resolves through settlement or needs to go to trial, we’re ready to take on whatever comes your way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accidents in San Diego
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Bus Accident Lawsuit in San Diego?
Yes. In California, you typically have two years from the date of the bus accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government agency (such as a city bus service) is involved, you must file an administrative claim within six months. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering damages.
What If I Am Partly to Blame for the Bus Accident?
It’s common to worry that your actions may have contributed to the crash. Maybe you were crossing the street while looking at your phone, or your car was edging into another lane when the bus struck you. Under California’s comparative negligence rules, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
It depends on the facts. Some cases settle in a few months, while others—especially those involving serious injuries or disputed liability—can take a year or longer. Our goal is always to move your case forward efficiently while ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Contact the San Diego Bus Accident Lawyers at Walton Law, APC Today
Every moment after a serious bus accident can feel like a blur. Medical visits, pain, time off work, and unexpected expenses add up quickly. When it feels like no one is looking out for you, Walton Law, APC, is ready to step in.
We handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. We won’t let insurance companies dictate the value of your injury or your future. And we never charge upfront—we only get paid if we win for you. Let’s talk about what happened and what we can do to help. Call us today at (858) 384-3320 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Walton Law, A.P.C. - San Diego Office
Address: 12555 High Bluff Dr Suite 333
San Diego, CA 92130
Phone: (858) 384-3320