Oakland Bus Accident Lawyers

Our Oakland Bus Accident Attorneys Can Help You Demand Accountability

City agencies and private bus companies owe Oakland residents a duty of care that should never be breached. When drivers, companies, and government bodies fail to ensure a safe ride for bus passengers, it’s important to hold them responsible for their negligent actions.

That’s why we’re here. Our team of bus accident attorneys in Oakland can help you go through the motions of the legal process and bring those liable for your injuries to justice. We’ll help you investigate what caused the accident, gather evidence, prove negligence, and, most importantly, demand financial compensation for everything you’ve been through.

Over the years, we’ve recovered over $1.9 billion for our clients, allowing them to recover from traumatic accidents and injuries comfortably. And we’re ready to do the same for you. If you want to know if you’ve got a solid case on your hands after a bus accident, reach out so we can give you a FREE CONSULTATION.

Compensation Our Bus Accident Lawyers in Oakland Can Get For You

Our team knows the ins and outs of Oakland’s traffic laws, especially those involving buses and public transportation. With our deep knowledge of these laws, we can effectively pinpoint negligence in drivers and bus companies and demand damages from them.

These compensatory damages can help shoulder any costs you’ve incurred from your injuries and emotional trauma, whether economic or non-economic. Here are some of those damages:

• Medical expenses (surgeries, urgent care, rehabilitation, medications)
• Lost wages and reduced earning potential
• Pain and suffering after getting traumatized
• Property damage if your vehicle was affected in the accident
• Wrongful death damages to be awarded to the victim’s surviving family members and dependents

Why Choose Thompson Law?

As one of the best personal injury law firms in the area, Thompson Law has a team of experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys who are ready to fight for your legal rights.

At Thompson Law, we understand the emotional distress that comes with serious injuries, and we are committed to providing you with the best legal representation possible. Our trial lawyers are not afraid to take your case to court if necessary and have successfully secured billions of dollars in compensatory and punitive damages for our clients.

We have extensive experience working with insurance companies, large corporations, and medical professionals, and we know how to get you the results you deserve. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not have to pay anything until we win your case.

Don’t let a personal injury case ruin your life. Contact Thompson Law‘s Oakland personal injury lawyers today and schedule a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your legal options. Our team of dedicated injury attorneys will provide you with the legal advice and representation you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Kinds of Crashes Bus Accident Lawyers in Oakland Handle

There are many kinds of bus accidents that can lead to injury. Here are just some that our Oakland bus accident lawyers specialize in handling:

• Rear-end collisions:  When a bus crashes into the vehicle in front of them, or if a motorist collides with the rear end of the bus.
• Intersection accidents:  Bus drivers and other motorists can misjudge traffic lights and end up crashing with other vehicles or pedestrians in an intersection.
• T-Bone collisions:  When a bus is involved in a side crash, where one vehicle collides with another in a perpendicular angle, typically when someone fails to yield.
• Improper left- or right-turn crashes:  Crashes that come about when one vehicle fails to turn properly, leading to a bus accident. Typical reasons include wide turns, blind spots, and distracted driving.
• Multi-vehicle collisions:  When more than two cars pile on in a chain reaction of accidents involving a bus.
• Roll-over accidents from sudden swerves:  When a bus driver doesn’t have full control of a bus, whether it’s because it’s too heavy or they’re distracted, and the vehicle rolls over from the sudden swerve.
• Bicycle accidents:  Collisions involving a bus and a cyclist.
• Pedestrian accidents:  Crashes involving a bus and a pedestrian walking on the street.
• Boarding accidents at bus stops:  When bus passengers are injured while they’re getting on or off the bus. This can be due to low attention from the driver, resulting in sudden movements from the bus while someone is still trying to get to safety.

Recent Bus Accidents in Oakland and What Caused Them

Bus accidents can happen anywhere and for any reason, from distracted driving to traffic violations that lead to a collision with another vehicle. But what has caused bus crashes in Oakland in the last couple of years? Here are some of the most recent bus accident cases in the city and what caused them, according to local news.

Improper Turn at an Intersection (December 2024)

An AC Transit bus in the International Boulevard and 94th Avenue intersection collided with a vehicle in the next lane, which made a sharp left turn and cut the bus directly. This vehicle then reportedly fled the scene in a hit-and-run nightmare. The accident left four bus passengers hurt with minor injuries, but they immediately got treatment from paramedics.

Speeding and Illegal Use of the Bus Lane (March 2024)

In an even bigger accident, 16 people were injured by a reckless driver illegally using the bus lane along International Boulevard. As this individual drove their sedan above the speed limit on the bus lane, it hit another vehicle, pushing it into the front of an AC Transit bus.

Hospitals to Contact After an Oakland Bus Accident

The first thing to do if you find yourself hurt in a bus accident is to get medical attention straight away. Here are some key hospitals you might want to contact if you or any other passenger on a bus is injured, depending on where you are in the city:

• Alta Bates Summit Medical Center:  Known for comprehensive medical care and rehabilitation. Great for orthopedic care and physical therapy as well.
• Children’s Hospital Oakland:  The city’s premier pediatric hospital that specializes in treating younger victims. Good for school bus accidents where children are hurt.
• Highland Hospital:  A trauma center for more critical road accident injuries that need surgical procedures and other forms of urgent care.
• Kaiser Oakland Medical Center:  A full-service hospital that covers emergency services, surgeries, and plenty of departments that can treat common injuries sustained from a bus accident.

Let Our Oakland Bus Accident Lawyers Advocate for Your Rights

Trying to recover from serious injuries following a bus accident is hard enough. Imagine having to deal with medical bills, insurance claims, and taking legal action without help from the experts, too.

Allow our team of dedicated Oakland bus accident lawyers to take some of the load off you. Not only can we help you navigate every step of the legal process to hold bus drivers or companies accountable, but we’ll also fight tooth and nail to get you the compensation you deserve. That way, you can focus on healing while we secure your financial recovery.

Learn about the best route you can take to get justice following a bus accident by booking a FREE CONSULTATION with our team now!

FAQs About Bus Accidents in Oakland, CA

How much does it cost to hire a bus accident lawyer in Oakland?

Most bus accident lawyers, including our team at Thompson Law, charge clients on a contingency fee basis. That means they get a certain cut of the final compensation or settlement amount, typically 20% to 40%.

What if the bus accident involved a hit-and-run driver?

If the at-fault drive flees the scene of the accident, you still have a chance at getting financial compensation if you have an insurance policy. If the bus driver was partially at fault for the crash, you could also file a case against them or the bus company they work for. It’s best to consult an experienced Oakland bus accident lawyer to know all your options in a hit-and-run.

Who can be held liable in a bus accident in Oakland?

If negligence is established, different individuals or organizations might be found liable. These include the bus driver, the bus company, and other motorists if they were found to have caused the collision. If the accident occurred because of poor road conditions, injured passengers might even sue the City of Oakland.

What is the statute of limitations for bus accidents in Oakland?

The statute of limitations for a bus accident in Oakland differs according to who you’re suing. If you were injured on a private bus, such as a tour bus, you can file your lawsuit up to two years after the accident happened. However, if you got injured on public transportation and want to go after the City of Oakland, you must file your case within six months.

Who can file a bus accident lawsuit?

Bus accidents involve many parties, from the driver to the passengers to a third-party vehicle. Here are just some of the parties that might file a bus accident case and why.

• Injured passengers:  If you were hurt while riding a bus, you can sue the party found negligible.
• Drivers of other vehicles:  Car drivers, motorists, and bicyclists can sue the bus company if they are involved in a bus accident due to the bus driver’s recklessness.
• Pedestrians:  If you get hit by a bus as you’re walking down the street, you can file a lawsuit against the bus driver or company.
• Surviving family of casualties:  If your loved one passes away after a bus accident, you can avenge them by holding the bus driver or company accountable. You’re also entitled to any damages won in court.
• Bus drivers:  Drivers can sue their employers if the accident was caused by unsafe working conditions or poor vehicle maintenance.