Public transportation is supposed to be a safe, reliable way to get around. Millions of people in Los Angeles depend on buses every single day, to get to work, to school, to medical appointments, and everywhere in between.
But when a bus accident happens, what should have been an ordinary commute becomes a nightmare. One moment you’re a passenger minding your own business or a pedestrian crossing the street. The next, you’re hurt, scared, and facing a system that seems stacked against you. If that’s where you find yourself today, we’re truly sorry. And we want you to know, you don’t have to take on the transit authority or insurance companies by yourself.
We know that dealing with legal claims is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re trying to recover from an accident. That’s exactly why our firm exists, to shoulder that burden so you can focus on what really matters. Our goal is straightforward: help you heal, reduce your stress, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Your job is to get better. Our job is to hold the responsible parties accountable. That’s the commitment we make to every client.
Ryan Thompson leads our Los Angeles bus accident practice with unwavering dedication and a track record of standing up to powerful entities. Our firm has recovered over $1.9 billion for injured clients throughout our history. We have the resources, experience, and resolve to challenge government agencies, transit authorities, and major insurance carriers. But what truly drives our work isn’t the courtroom battles, it’s the individuals we serve. Your injuries matter to us. Your anxiety about medical bills matters to us. Your right to fair treatment matters to us.
Bus accident cases involve unique complexities that many law firms aren’t prepared to handle. Claims against public transit agencies like Metro come with special rules, shorter deadlines, and bureaucratic hurdles. Private bus companies and their insurers have legal teams working to protect their interests from day one. Our attorneys have spent years mastering these challenges so you won’t have to go through them alone.
Thompson Law has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a premier personal injury practice, and the clients we’ve represented understand exactly why. This recognition reflects genuine case victories, acknowledgment from legal peers, and the gratitude of people we’ve helped through some of the most challenging periods of their lives.
At Thompson Law, clear and consistent communication is fundamental to how we practice. We answer your calls without delay, explain complicated legal and governmental procedures in accessible language, and provide regular updates so you always know where your case stands. When you reach out, you’ll connect with a real member of our team who knows your case, and never an automated system or impersonal call center.
Our outstanding client reviews are a direct reflection of the attentiveness, honesty, and tenacious advocacy we deliver to every bus accident victim we represent.
“Thompson Law was the BEST thing that could have happened.”
– Ronnie
After a bus accident, you may be facing a government agency with layers of legal protection. Transit authorities have specialized rules that limit when and how you can file a claim. Miss a deadline or fail to follow proper procedures, and you could lose your right to compensation entirely. That’s not fair to someone who’s already suffering. Our attorneys have guided countless victims through this process and know exactly how to protect your rights against even the most formidable opponents.
We also firmly believe that access to justice shouldn’t depend on your financial resources. That’s why you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. From your first conversation with us, we share a single mission: securing every dollar you deserve. Whether you were injured as a passenger on a Metro bus, struck by a tour bus while walking, or hurt in any other bus-related incident, we’re prepared to advocate fiercely on your behalf.
Your claim will receive our full attention and the aggressive representation it demands.
The attorneys at Thompson Law have extensive experience representing victims injured in all varieties of bus-related accidents:
Bus accidents often involve multiple parties who may share liability for your injuries:
Los Angeles operates one of the largest public transit networks in the nation. Every day, Metro buses, DASH shuttles, school buses, tour coaches, and private shuttles carry hundreds of thousands of passengers across the region.
From downtown’s bustling transit hubs to neighborhood routes winding through residential streets, buses are everywhere. When accidents happen, whether from driver error, poor maintenance, or another motorist’s negligence, the consequences for passengers and bystanders can be severe.
Our bus accident attorneys understand the profound physical, emotional, and financial strain these incidents place on victims. Because buses lack individual seatbelts for most passengers, injuries are often serious: head trauma, neck and back injuries, broken bones, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries are all too common. Standing passengers are especially vulnerable. Recovery can stretch across months or years, and some victims face lasting health complications.
We take charge of every element of your case: investigating the circumstances, navigating government claim requirements, negotiating with insurers, and pursuing maximum compensation. Our commitment is to help you secure the resources you need to heal and rebuild.
Everything starts with a private conversation. Reach out today for a complimentary evaluation of your case with absolutely no obligation. We’ll listen carefully to what happened, review any documentation or medical records you can provide, and walk you through your options in clear, understandable terms. This discussion helps you grasp your rights and develop a realistic sense of what your claim might be worth. There’s no cost and no pressure, we simply want to illuminate the path ahead.
Claims against government entities like LA Metro require filing an administrative claim, often within just six months of the accident. Miss this deadline, and you may forfeit your right to compensation entirely. Private bus company claims have their own time-sensitive requirements. We move immediately to ensure every deadline is met and every procedural requirement is satisfied.
Our team secures police and incident reports, obtains bus surveillance footage before it’s erased, interviews witnesses, and documents the scene. We review driver records, training files, and maintenance logs. Our medical and legal experts analyze your treatment records thoroughly. When needed, we partner with accident reconstruction specialists to demonstrate exactly what went wrong. You concentrate on healing. We concentrate on building an ironclad case.
Bus accident claims can involve both government agencies and private insurers, each with different rules and tactics. Transit authorities may invoke governmental immunity defenses. Insurance adjusters will look for ways to minimize or deny your claim. You shouldn’t have to decipher these complexities while recovering from injuries.
Let us handle every interaction with claims administrators, government lawyers, and insurance representatives. We know their strategies inside and out and can protect you from common pitfalls. Quick settlement offers and recorded statements are designed to limit your recovery. You’re dealing with enough already. Battling bureaucracy shouldn’t be part of your healing process.
If the responsible parties refuse to offer fair compensation, we’re fully prepared to litigate. Our trial attorneys have genuine courtroom experience and aren’t intimidated by government legal teams or corporate defense lawyers. Many cases resolve favorably once the other side recognizes our readiness to go before a jury.
Throughout every phase, we keep you informed without burying you in legal technicalities. Your role is to rest and recover. Our role is to pursue accountability relentlessly. That’s exactly how it should work.
Government agencies and insurance companies share a common goal: resolving your claim for as little as possible. They have experienced adjusters and lawyers working to protect their budgets, not your wellbeing. Our job is to level the playing field. We fight for every dollar California law entitles you to receive.
We evaluate the complete scope of your losses: medical bills, lost wages, future treatment requirements, and how this accident has disrupted your life. Rushed settlements rarely reflect the true cost of what you’ve endured. We ensure you fully understand your claim’s value before considering any offer.
Our legal team has devoted years to handling bus and transit accident claims. We understand the Government Claims Act, know how to navigate administrative requirements, and have experience holding both public and private carriers accountable. We’ve encountered every defense tactic these entities use and know precisely how to overcome them.
Thousands of accident victims across Southern California have entrusted their cases to us. All of that accumulated expertise now serves your interests.
Bus accident claims frequently involve substantial damages and require lawyers willing to stand firm against powerful opponents. Our attorneys build persuasive cases supported by compelling evidence and authoritative expert testimony. Transit agencies and insurers throughout Los Angeles know our reputation. They know we won’t hesitate to take a case to trial. That credibility consistently yields better outcomes for our clients.
You’re already managing injuries, medical appointments, and the upheaval an accident brings to daily life. The last thing you need is to spend your energy wrestling with government paperwork and insurance bureaucracy. Leave the deadlines, documents, and difficult conversations to us.
Having a skilled legal team managing your case can provide genuine relief during an incredibly stressful period. That’s precisely why we’re here.
You won’t pay anything out of pocket to retain our services. We advance all expenses as your case progresses. Our fee is collected only from a successful recovery. Your financial circumstances should never stand between you and quality legal representation.
You shouldn’t have to wait for insurance approvals or case resolutions before receiving treatment. We connect you with trusted healthcare providers who will see you immediately and accept payment from your eventual settlement. This gets you on the path to recovery right away, and the detailed medical records also strengthen your claim.
Victims of bus accidents may be entitled to compensation across several categories. Given the serious nature of injuries commonly sustained in these crashes, the amounts can be significant.
When a bus driver or company acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard for safety, such as operating under the influence, ignoring known mechanical problems, or egregiously violating safety rules, courts may impose punitive damages. These awards punish particularly irresponsible behavior and serve as a deterrent against future misconduct.
Every case is different, and compensation depends on factors including injury severity, medical costs, and impact on your ability to work. Bus accident settlements frequently range from $50,000 to $300,000, while claims involving catastrophic injuries or permanent disability can exceed $1 million. A confidential consultation with our team can provide a clearer estimate based on your specific circumstances.
We represent clients on a contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront, nothing while your case is pending, and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, collected only upon a successful outcome.
Timelines vary based on each case’s complexity. Claims involving government entities often take longer due to administrative requirements. Straightforward cases may settle within several months, while more complicated claims, especially those with disputed liability, severe injuries, or multiple defendants, can extend 12 to 30 months, particularly if litigation becomes necessary.
Bus accidents present distinct challenges. Claims against public transit agencies require filing government claims within strict deadlines, often just six months. Government entities may assert immunity defenses not available to private parties. Multiple parties may share liability, including the transit authority, the driver, maintenance contractors, and other motorists. Buses also lack passenger seatbelts, often resulting in more severe injuries. These complexities demand attorneys with specific experience in transit liability cases.
Most bus accident claims are resolved through negotiation or mediation before reaching trial. However, if the responsible parties refuse to offer adequate compensation, we’re fully prepared to present your case before a judge and jury. Our willingness to litigate often motivates defendants to settle fairly rather than risk an unfavorable verdict.
Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor, adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries manifest later. Report the incident to the bus driver or transit authority and obtain an incident report. If possible, photograph the scene, your injuries, and gather contact information from witnesses and other passengers. Keep all medical records and receipts. Most importantly, contact an attorney before giving statements to transit authorities or insurance adjusters. Because government claims have short deadlines, prompt legal representation is crucial.
Yes. Attorney-client privilege protects all communications and every detail you share with us. Your personal information and the specifics of your case remain strictly confidential throughout the entire legal process.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.