Bus Accident Injury Lawyers: Tens Of Millions Of Dollars Recovered For Our Clients
At Delfino, Green & Green, we’re not afraid to take on big companies or government entities in pursuit of justice. No matter who the at-fault party is in your case, we’ll do everything we can to secure the compensation you deserve.
Give us a call at (415) 442-4646 to schedule your free consultation.

City buses offer an easy, affordable way for thousands of people to get around San Francisco every day. But make no mistake—these vehicles aren’t immune to accidents. City-funded transportation can be involved in and cause wrecks just as easily as other vehicles. However, determining the at-fault party may be more complex.
Bus accidents have a greater capacity for catastrophic damage than regular vehicles, if only for their sheer size. When the collide with pedestrians, cars, motorcycles and even trucks, there is a serious potential for severe injuries and death.
If you were injured in a bus accident, you may be facing huge medical bills, lost wages and other damages; you may be wondering how you’ll ever recover. Don’t give up—you may be able to recoup your losses through a bus accident lawsuit. Keep reading to find out if you’re eligible to file a claim.
You Deserve Compensation
No matter what type of vehicle you were in at the time of your accident, you deserve compensation if the wreck was caused by someone’s negligence. As some of the Bay Area’s most trusted Bus Accident Lawyer, we may be able to help. Contact us today.
What Is Considered a Bus?
It may surprise you to learn that a variety of vehicles qualify as buses. Legally speaking, a bus is a self-propelled vehicle (in contrast to the Muni) used by public entities to provide designated public transportation. That means that in San Francisco, the following vehicles technically count as buses:
- Trolleys
- Airport shuttles
- Interstate carriers
- Tour buses
- School buses
- City buses
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving any of these vehicles, you may be eligible to file a bus accident claim. An experienced San Francisco Bus Accident Lawyer can review your case and help you determine the at-fault party.
Why Do Bus Accidents Happen?
You may think that because buses exist as a public service that they’re immune to many of the risks associated with personal vehicles, but that’s not true. Buses are involved in many of the same accidents as cars, but they have the potential to cause more damage. Here are some of the most common reasons for bus accidents in San Francisco:
- Distracted driving. Even professional drivers can succumb to distraction, but not all distractions imply negligence. For example, a bus driver who gets distracted by a fight breaking out in the bus and crashes as a result is not being reckless in the same way as the driver who crashes while checking their text messages.
- Urban location. Like commercial trucks, buses may struggle to make turns in tight, heavily-populated urban areas.
- Hazardous road conditions. Sometimes improperly maintained roads can cause bus drivers to wreck due to no fault of their own. Messy road construction zones can also contribute to bus accidents.
- Improper maintenance. Public entities have a duty to properly maintain the buses they own, and when city employees neglect to do so, they may be held liable in the event of an accident.
- Defective parts. If a bus accident is caused by a defective part, the part manufacturer or seller may be the at-fault party.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of the things that can cause bus accidents. Typically, buses are susceptible to the same factors that other vehicles are, and many types of wrecks can precipitate a lawsuit
Recoverable Compensation
Typically, injury victims can file a bus accident lawsuit whenever they suffer serious injuries as a result of someone’s negligence. Injury victims don’t have to be passengers in the bus to file a claim; they may be pedestrians or passengers and drivers in other vehicles as well. Although individuals can file on their own, it’s generally helpful to partner with a San Francisco bus accident lawyer.
After you and your lawyer determine the at-fault party, the next step will be to calculate damages. Most people don’t realize that settlement figures can include more than just economic losses; they can include intangible ones as well.
Here are some of the damages you may be able to receive compensation for:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Life-care expenses
- Disability or disfigurement
In the event that you lose a loved one in a bus accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Many of the same damages listed above will apply to settlement calculations.
Top San Francisco Bus Accident Lawyers
People who use public transportation deserve safe transit. When they’re injured in a bus accident caused by someone’s negligence, they deserve compensation. However, obtaining compensation—especially from government entities, companies and insurance providers—is a daunting task unless you have extensive legal knowledge.
Here’s the good news: Injury victims and their families don’t have to pursue justice on their own. When you partner with a top San Francisco Bus Accident Lawyer, they will investigate your case and identify the best legal strategy for your situation. By alleviating the lion’s share of legal stress, you can focus on what matters the most—your recovery.
Concerned you can’t afford a Bus Accident Lawyer? Don’t stress. The legal professionals at Delfino, Green & Green have you covered. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t get paid until you do. That means you can work with some of the best lawyers in the Bay Area without paying a dime upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accident Injuries
If a bus is involved in an accident, law enforcement will investigate, emergency responders may provide medical assistance, and the bus company will be notified. Passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers involved may have a right to seek compensation for injuries or losses.
You should seek medical care first, then document your injuries and the accident details. File a claim with the bus company’s insurer or your own if applicable. An attorney can help identify all liable parties and file a claim or lawsuit within the appropriate deadlines.
Report the accident to local law enforcement, the bus operator (or transit authority), and if necessary, your own insurance company. If injured, also report the incident to a medical provider and obtain a copy of any official reports.
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine. Document the scene with photos, gather witness contact information, and avoid making statements to the bus company’s representatives. Then contact a lawyer experienced in bus accident claims.
Yes. If the accident resulted from driver negligence, poor maintenance, or a third party’s actions, you can pursue a lawsuit for compensation. This applies to both passengers and others injured in the incident.
Compensation depends on the extent of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impact. Cases involving serious or permanent injuries can result in settlements or verdicts in the six- or seven-figure range.
Settlements may take several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether the claim is against a private or public entity. Government-related claims often take longer due to procedural requirements.
You may have a claim against the bus company, the driver, a government entity (if it’s a public bus), a third-party driver, or even the bus manufacturer or maintenance provider—depending on what caused the accident.
Possibly. If the bus company failed to provide reasonable security or ignored known risks, it may be held liable for negligent security. Each case depends on the specific circumstances and what preventive measures were in place.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and in some cases, punitive damages. In wrongful death cases, families can also seek funeral costs and loss of companionship.
While not legally required, having an attorney is highly recommended. Bus accident cases often involve multiple parties, strict timelines, and complex liability questions—especially if a government agency is involved.
Many cases do settle before trial. However, if a fair settlement isn’t offered, your attorney may recommend going to court to pursue full compensation. Settlement negotiations typically occur throughout the litigation process.
Evidence may include police reports, surveillance footage, black box data, maintenance records, witness testimony, and expert accident reconstruction. An attorney will help gather and present this evidence effectively.
Yes, but the process is different. You must follow special rules for filing a government claim, including a much shorter deadline—often just six months from the date of the accident. Claims must be filed with the appropriate public agency before a lawsuit.
Start by seeking immediate medical attention and documenting the injury. Then report the incident to the school and bus operator. You may need to file a claim against the school district, private bus company, or a negligent third party.
Liability may rest with the bus driver, their employer, other drivers, maintenance providers, or even manufacturers. Your attorney will investigate all potential sources of fault and liability to build a strong case.
In California, the general statute of limitations is two years for personal injury claims. However, if the claim involves a public entity, you may have as little as six months to file a government claim. Missing the deadline can bar your right to recover.
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. You can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible.
Your case will begin with an investigation and claim filing. This is followed by negotiation, possible settlement talks, and if needed, litigation and trial. Your attorney will handle communications, discovery, and courtroom advocacy throughout.
Lost wages are based on your salary, the amount of time missed from work, and your ability to earn in the future if your injury affects your long-term employment. In some cases, expert testimony from vocational or economic experts may be needed.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Ready to get started? Contact us online or give us a call at (415) 442-4646 to schedule your free consultation.
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