Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney

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Joshua W. Glotzer, Esq

Managing Partner

Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyers

While buses are actually one of the safer ways to travel, you could still find yourself on a Los Angeles bus that is involved in an accident, leaving you with significant injuries, particularly since bus travel is the primary method of travel for many Los Angeles commuters.

Buses are considered common carriers, i.e. they transport persons for money, therefore bus drivers are charged with using the utmost diligence and care for their passengers’ safety. More specifically, California Civil Code Section 2100 requires that bus carriers must exercise a reasonable degree of skill, providing everything necessary for the care of passengers.

Your injuries might have been caused by a lack of safety measure, or there may have been negligence involved on the part of the driver, the company who owns the bus, or even the manufacturer of the bus, or bus parts. Recovering compensation following a bus accident is generally much more complex than recovering compensation in a “normal” two-car accident. If you have been injured in a bus accident, call Los Angeles bus accident attorney Joshua W. Glotzer today. We offer a free consultation and only get paid if we win.

Contact us online or call (747) 241-8288 to get started.

Types of Bus Accidents

Most bus accident victims fall into one of two groups. The first includes those who are in smaller vehicles who have the misfortune of colliding with a bus. Sadly, these victims often don’t survive or are left with a catastrophic injury, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI), as a result of the wreck.

However, just as tragically, members of the second group of victims, those riding in buses involved in crashes, are similarly at risk of suffering injury or being killed in a bus accident. Riding in a large vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer truck or bus, can sometimes give us this false sense of safety. However, the fact is that anytime you are in a traffic accident, no matter what size vehicle you’re in, you are in danger of suffering an injury including losing your life.

As a law firm specializing in personal injury cases related to bus accidents, Glotzer & Leib, LLP has seen a wide variety of accidents over the years. Here are some of the different types of bus accidents that their attorneys have handled:

  • Rear-end collisions: These accidents occur when a bus crashes into the back of another vehicle. This can happen if the driver is distracted, following too closely, or unable to stop in time.

  • Head-on collisions: In a head-on collision, a bus crashes into another vehicle or object while traveling in the opposite direction. These accidents can be especially dangerous due to the force of impact.

  • Side-impact collisions: Also known as T-bone collisions, these accidents occur when a bus crashes into the side of another vehicle. This can happen at intersections or when one vehicle fails to yield the right of way.

  • Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents can happen if a bus takes a turn too quickly, hits a curb, or is involved in a collision that causes it to tip over. These accidents can be particularly dangerous, as passengers may be thrown around inside the bus.

  • Pedestrian accidents: If a bus strikes a pedestrian, the injuries can be catastrophic or fatal. Pedestrian accidents can happen if the driver is not paying attention, fails to yield the right of way, or is driving recklessly.

No matter what type of bus accident you have been involved in, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. The attorneys at Glotzer & Leib, LLP have the knowledge and expertise to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.

When Your Bus Accident Occurs on a Los Angeles City Bus

There are much stricter guidelines in place for those filing lawsuits against a California governmental entity, including much shorter statutes of limitations. Buses that are government-run, such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, require those injured in a bus accident to file a claim within six months from the date of the accident. The U.S. Government has enacted the Federal Tort Claims Act which waives immunity for a governmental entity and also allows an injured person to file a claim based on acts or omissions.

Further requirements of the Federal Tort Claims Act include:

  • The facts which support your claim of injury must be specific enough to allow the governmental entity the ability to conduct a proper investigation.
  • The facts supporting your claim must include a specific amount for your damages, such as the total amount of your medical bills.
  • The government has six months in which to rule on your claim.
  • If the governmental entity admits fault, you will be compensated for your injury. The amount of compensation may be what you claimed as damages or could be only a portion of that amount.
  • If your claim is denied, you may file a lawsuit for your injuries, but that lawsuit must be filed within two years of the denial.

A governmental entity could also be responsible for your bus accident if they were directly responsible for a hazardous highway or road condition which led to the accident. This could include any type of roadside hazard, line of sight obstructions, improperly marked construction zones, unreasonably dangerous railway crossing, or sharp pavement edge drops. If your injuries did not occur on a city bus, the California statute of limitations allows you two years from the date of your accident in which to file a claim.

What Should I Do If I’m in a Bus Accident?

Following a crash involving any type of vehicle, you should first call 911 and check to see if you or anyone else is hurt. If you or anyone else is injured, you should seek immediate medical attention. After your injuries have been treated and only if you’re physically able, try to collect as much evidence as you can, including:

  • Witness information
  • Police and medical reports
  • Pictures of the accident scene and your injuries
  • Your written notes about the incident

In addition to gathering evidence, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible, because if you pursue litigation in a bus accident case, you must act quickly due to notice requirements and statutes of limitation that can be more complicated is the bus or transportation vehicle is owned or operated by a government entity including a city or county. A personal injury attorney can explain your rights following a bus crash, and help you determine if you have a case and whether or not a bus accident lawsuit is the best option for you to pursue.

Who Can Sue After a Bus Accident?

Buses (including public transit, shuttle, tour, charter and school buses) are what is known as common carriers, which refers to any vehicle licensed to transport passengers for a fee. Additional examples of common carriers include:

  • Taxis
  • Uber Vehicle
  • Subways
  • Planes
  • Ferries
  • Trains
  • Limousines
  • Trolleys

In many cases, the regulation of common carriers falls under state and federal law, which enforces a duty of care that buses and other common carriers must follow, such as:

  • Staying updated on and repairing vehicle defects;
  • Employing qualified vehicle operators and making sure they are trained correctly;
  • Keeping vehicles properly maintained;
  • If necessary, having security in place in vehicles and facilities to keep passengers safe;
  • Ensuring passenger areas in vehicles are safe, such as keeping entryways and exits well lit and clear of obstructions.

Those injured in a bus accident may be able to hold those at fault accountable through filing a claim or a lawsuit. Injury victims in these types of cases can include bus passengers, pedestrians, drivers and passengers in other vehicles, bus drivers or the family of anyone killed in a bus accident due to another’s negligence. In addition, even if a traffic crash wasn’t involved, such as a slip and fall accident onboard a bus, injury victims may still be eligible to recover compensation from their injuries.

What Can a Bus Accident Lawyer Do to Help Victims?

Often bus accident victims are left with severe and, in some cases, debilitating and permanent injuries, including:

  • SCIs;
  • Paralysis;
  • Burns;
  • TBIs;
  • Bullet and stab wounds;
  • Broken and fractured bones;
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning;
  • Whiplash;
  • Severed extremities, such as arms, hands or legs.

Some of these types of injuries can lead to victims requiring a lifetime of care, suffering a drastically reduced quality of life and being unable to continue to work. In addition, if victims can no longer work and/or require long-term care, their finances can quickly become unmanageable.

A bus accident attorney can give people injured in bus crashes and their families someone on their side who negotiates with insurance companies, faces off against bus companies and investigates accidents on a daily basis. Ways in which personal injury lawyers can help include:

  • Ensuring people have someone representing them who helps bus accident victims and families on a daily basis, including defending their rights against transportation companies and their insurers.
  • Taking care of the legal aspects of the aftermath of bus accident for victims and families, so that they can concentrate on their own health and wellbeing.
  • Helping bus crash victims and their families recover the compensation that the law allows for hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses and in the case of fatal injuries, funeral costs.
  • Making sure those responsible for a bus accident are held accountable and are deterred from hurting others in the future.

Los Angeles Bus Accident Statistics

According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 115 bus accidents in Los Angeles County in 2019. These accidents resulted in 26 injuries and one fatality.

Additionally, data from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) shows that there were 243 collisions involving LADOT buses in 2019. Of these, 51 were classified as preventable and 192 were classified as non-preventable. It’s worth noting that these statistics only include accidents that were reported to the authorities. The actual number of bus accidents in Los Angeles may be higher, as some accidents may go unreported or be handled by private parties without involving the police.

If you have been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. Glotzer & Leib, LLP can help you understand your legal options and work to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.

Los Angeles Bus Accident FAQs

What should I do if I’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles?

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, the first step is to seek medical attention for any injuries. After that, it’s important to document the details of the accident and contact an experienced personal injury attorney like Glotzer & Leib, LLP to discuss your legal options.

How much does it cost to hire a bus accident attorney in Los Angeles?

Glotzer & Leib, LLP offers a free consultation to prospective clients. If you decide to hire the firm, they will work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t owe any fees unless they win your case.

How long does a bus accident case take to resolve?

The length of a bus accident case can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the legal process. Some cases can be resolved quickly through negotiations with insurance companies, while others may require a trial and can take several years to resolve.

What kind of compensation can I receive for my injuries in a bus accident case?

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand the full range of compensation you may be entitled to.

Can I still file a bus accident claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?

California follows a comparative negligence system, which means that you can still file a claim even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, the amount of compensation you receive may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.

What sets Glotzer & Leib, LLP apart from other personal injury law firms in Los Angeles?

Glotzer & Leib, LLP has more than 50 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases, including those related to bus accidents. The firm is committed to providing personalized attention to each client and has a track record of success in securing millions of dollars in compensation for their clients. They also offer a free consultation to prospective clients, so you can get a better understanding of your legal options with no cost to you.

Glotzer & Leib, LLP Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney

Why Choose Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Josh Glotzer?

Attorney Josh Glotzer of Glotzer & Leib, LLP founded his firm to make sure that victims and families who might otherwise be denied justice have someone to turn to who is dedicated to obtaining justice for his clients including holding those who did them harm accountable. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorney always puts his clients first, as he works tirelessly to ensure the security for their future and the necessary closure that they deserve.

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, you may be wondering who to turn to for help. Glotzer & Leib, LLP is a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases, including those related to bus accidents. Here are four reasons why you should trust Glotzer & Leib with your bus accident case:

First and foremost, Glotzer & Leib has a wealth of experience in handling personal injury cases. Their attorneys have been practicing law for more than 50 years combined and have handled thousands of cases over that time. They understand the intricacies of personal injury law and can help you navigate the legal system to get the compensation you deserve.

Second, Glotzer & Leib is committed to providing personalized attention to each client. They understand that every case is unique and requires a tailored approach. When you work with Glotzer & Leib, you can expect to receive individualized attention and a customized legal strategy designed to meet your specific needs.

Third, Glotzer & Leib has a track record of success in personal injury cases, including those related to bus accidents. They have secured millions of dollars in compensation for their clients over the years and are committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims.

Finally, Glotzer & Leib offers a free consultation to prospective clients. This means that you can speak with an experienced attorney at no cost to you and get a better understanding of your legal options. During the consultation, the attorney will review the details of your case and provide an honest assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, Glotzer & Leib, LLP is a law firm that you can trust to handle your case. With their experience, personalized attention, track record of success, and commitment to providing free consultation, you can feel confident that your case is in good hands.

To learn more about Glotzer & Leib, LLP and how we may be able to help you, visit our case results page. You can also call us directly or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation.

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      “Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.

      His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”

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      “Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”

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      “Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”

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      “My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”

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      “I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”

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    Our Location

    Los Angeles Office

    Glotzer & Leib, LLP
    714 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 632
    Los Angeles, California 90015 (213) 309-3050

    Our Los Angeles office is conveniently located at the junction of the 110 and 10 freeways and in the heart of the downtown entertainment district.