Who Operates Buses in Glendale
- Glendale Beeline. The city's own transit system, operated by the City of Glendale. Claims go to the city under the Government Claims Act.
- LA Metro. Several Metro Local lines run through Glendale, including along San Fernando Road, Glenoaks Boulevard and Colorado Street. Metro is a public agency with its own claims process.
- Glendale Unified School District buses and contracted school transportation. Public entity rules apply to district-owned buses; a private contractor is sued like any other company.
- Private charter, tour and intercity buses. Companies such as casino shuttles, church and tour operators, and intercity carriers are private defendants with commercial insurance policies; interstate carriers of 16 or more passengers must carry $5 million under federal motor carrier rules.
The Six-Month Government Claim Deadline
Under California Government Code section 911.2, a claim for personal injury against a public entity must be presented within six months of the date of injury. The claim is a specific written document with required contents under Government Code section 910, filed with the correct agency. Once the entity rejects the claim or fails to act within 45 days, you have six months from the rejection to file a lawsuit under Government Code section 945.6.
Missing the six-month deadline is usually fatal to the case. A late-claim application is possible under Government Code section 911.4, but only within one year and only for limited reasons such as incapacity or being a minor. Do not wait to see whether your injuries resolve. We prepare and file the government claim in the first weeks of representation.
Common Carriers Owe the Highest Duty of Care
California Civil Code section 2100 requires a carrier of persons for reward to use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage. That is a higher standard than the ordinary negligence standard that applies to a private driver. A bus operator who pulls away from a stop before a passenger is seated, brakes hard without warning, or closes the doors on a boarding rider can be liable for injuries that would not support a claim against an ordinary motorist.
The utmost-care standard applies to Beeline, Metro, charter and tour buses alike. It does not apply to school buses in the same way, but school districts owe students a duty of supervision that produces similar results in practice.
How Bus Accident Fault Is Proven
- On-board video. Most transit buses record the cabin and the road ahead. Footage is retained for a limited period and must be requested quickly through a preservation letter and a Public Records Act request.
- Driver records. Hours of service, training, prior complaints and drug and alcohol testing after the crash.
- Vehicle data. Engine control module downloads show speed, braking and throttle in the seconds before impact.
- Maintenance history. Brake, tire and door inspection records, which are public records for public agencies.
- Witnesses. Other passengers are identifiable through fare card data and should be contacted early.
Who Can Bring a Glendale Bus Accident Claim
- Passengers injured by sudden stops, collisions, falls while boarding or alighting, or door closures
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a bus, including at crosswalks near stops
- Drivers and occupants of cars hit by a bus
- Students injured on school buses or at bus loading zones
- Families of people killed in bus collisions
Damages in a Public Entity Case
Compensation covers medical care, lost income, future treatment and pain and suffering, the same categories as any injury claim. There is one difference: punitive damages are not available against a public entity under Government Code section 818. They remain available against a private bus company whose conduct was malicious or in conscious disregard of safety.
Where Glendale Bus Accident Cases Get Filed
After the government claim stage, lawsuits against the City of Glendale, Metro or a school district are filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Claims against private bus companies go directly to court within the two-year statute under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Our office at 655 N Central Ave is in Glendale.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was hurt on a Beeline bus. Who do I file against?
The Glendale Beeline is operated by the City of Glendale, so the claim is presented to the city under the Government Claims Act within six months of the injury. We prepare the claim and track the response deadlines.
Do I have two years to sue a bus company?
Only if the bus is privately owned. For a city, Metro or school district bus, you must present a written government claim within six months under Government Code 911.2, then file suit within six months of the rejection. Missing the first deadline usually ends the case.
The bus did not hit anything. I fell when it braked hard. Is that a case?
Often yes. A common carrier owes passengers the utmost care under Civil Code 2100. A sudden, unnecessary hard stop that throws a passenger can be negligence even without a collision. On-board video usually shows what happened and must be requested quickly.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in California?
Noble Attorneys works on contingency. There is no up-front fee, and the firm is paid only if you recover compensation. The percentage is set out in a written agreement you sign before any work begins, and case costs are explained in the same document.
How long do I have to file an injury claim in California?
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a public entity is involved, such as a city bus or a dangerous road condition, a government claim must be presented within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Missing either deadline usually ends the case.
Further Reading
- Injured by a Public Agency? You Have Six Months to Act
- Glendale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Legal Questions After the Chatsworth Bus Crash
- Glendale Truck Accident Lawyer
Talk to a Bus Accident Lawyer in Glendale Now
Free consultation. No fees unless we win. We meet clients at our Central Avenue office in Glendale and travel to homes and hospitals across Los Angeles County.