Public transit is a convenience in Long Beach, moving thousands of people each day. But too many people are hurt in bus accidents. If you were injured in an accident involving a Long Beach Transit bus, you may have a claim for compensation.

Determining who is responsible is an important first step because your claim may be against the bus company, another driver, or another responsible party. If Long Beach Transit is responsible, your claim would generally be against Long Beach Transit rather than the City of Long Beach, because they are legally distinct entities.

The Beliz Law Firm can review what happened, help identify who may be responsible, and explain the process of pursuing compensation. Contact Michael Beliz for a free consultation to discuss your Long Beach bus accident. 

When Can I Sue the City of Long Beach for a Bus Accident?

You may be able to sue the City of Long Beach if the City’s own negligence contributed to your bus accident or injuries. However, if your claim arises from the actions of Long Beach Transit or one of its drivers, your claim generally would be against Long Beach Transit rather than the City. The City of Long Beach and Long Beach Transportation Company, which operates Long Beach Transit, are legally distinct entities.  

Some situations where Long Beach Transit might be liable for your injuries include:

  • The bus driver was careless or dangerous. As the employer, Long Beach Transit may be liable for its employee’s negligent conduct. If a bus driver was distracted and crashed into you, then you may be able to hold the employer accountable.
  • The bus was unsafe to drive. Long Beach Transit owns the bus, so it should make sure it is safe to drive. That means performing regular preventive maintenance and fixing any problems as they arise.
  • The company was negligent in hiring or supervising the driver. Long Beach Transit should take reasonable steps to determine whether a driver is qualified to operate a bus. The company should also appropriately address safety concerns involving its drivers.

We can review evidence to determine whether Long Beach Transit shares liability for the crash.

What Is the Process for Suing Long Beach Transit for a Bus Accident?

Our firm can help you present an injury claim to Long Beach Transit if the company is liable. We can explain what happened and why the company is responsible. We also provide information about your injuries. Claims involving injury generally must be presented within six months of injury, so identifying the correct entity early is important. 

You should act fast. Additional deadlines can apply after the claim is presented. Reach out to The Beliz Law Firm to connect with an experienced bus accident attorney in Long Beach.

What Causes Most Bus Accidents in Long Beach?

We aren’t aware of any studies that have looked specifically at accidents involving a Long Beach Transit bus. However, many bus accidents can stem from careless driving. The bus driver could fail to operate the bus safely by:

  • Driving while fatigued,
  • Driving while intoxicated,
  • Texting and driving,
  • Speeding,
  • Tailgating,
  • Making illegal lane changes, and
  • Committing other careless acts.

Any of these behaviors can contribute to a collision, but another driver or other circumstances may also be responsible.

Other motorists on the road can also cause bus accidents. For example, a driver could cut off a bus, and the bus driver could pull into an adjoining lane to avoid a crash. In that situation, the other driver might have partial or sole liability for the accident.

Can I Make a Claim If I Was Riding on the Bus When It Crashed?

Yes. Bus accident claims can be filed by passengers on the bus, as well as motorists who are struck by a bus. The evidence used is similar, but clarify whether you were a passenger when speaking with an attorney.

How Do I Prove Liability for My Bus Accident?

You should contact a bus accident attorney in Long Beach for help gathering and analyzing evidence. Some evidence we rely on includes:

  • Eyewitness statements about the accident;
  • The bus driver’s statements;
  • Any video of the accident, including surveillance video at nearby businesses or the bus’s own camera; and
  • Photographs of the accident, including photos of all vehicles involved.

We use this evidence to reconstruct how the accident happened and determine who may be liable for the crash.

What If Another Driver Is to Blame for My Accident?

Another motorist on the road could have caused your accident. The driver could have forced the bus into a different lane or caused the bus driver to slam on the brakes. This other driver might have some liability or be solely responsible.

You can typically make a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer or sue them if necessary. However, the amount of available insurance coverage will depend on the driver’s policy. Long Beach Transit may also be liable if its negligence contributed to the accident.

What Steps Should I Take After an Accident with a Long Beach Transit Bus?

An accident is a dizzying experience. Ideally, you should balance your need for immediate medical care with documenting the crash. If you are injured, request an ambulance. Ask someone to call for you if you need one.

If you can walk around, then try to document the accident if you can do so safely by:

  • Photographing the bus, your vehicle, and any other vehicles involved in the crash;
  • Talking to witnesses and asking what they saw;
  • Writing down each witness’s name and a method of contacting them; and
  • Noting anything unusual about the bus driver, such as alcohol on their breath or slurred speech.

Photographs and witness statements may help establish how the accident happened, and this evidence may be more difficult to find days after the crash.

Can I Afford a Bus Accident Attorney in Long Beach?

Yes. Although money might be tight, you can search for a law firm that represents injured people using contingency fee agreements. This means we will handle your injury claim without requiring any upfront legal fees. Instead, we agree to accept a portion of any settlement or court award if we are successful.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Michael A. Beliz attended high school in Long Beach and cares about the community. When a Long Beach bus accident leaves a person with painful injuries, he advocates for his client’s best interests throughout the claims process. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident and the next steps.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:

Author Photo

Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011.  Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California.  He has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.

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