Who Is Liable When a Bus Hits a Pedestrian in California?

 Posted on June 14, 2026 in Pedestrian Accidents

When a California bus hits a pedestrian, liability often falls on the bus driver and the company or agency that employs them. However, other parties may also share fault.

Pedestrian cases like this can be difficult to sort out because of the overlapping liability. The specific facts of the case and whether the bus was run by a private or public agency all factor into determining who is liable.  

If you were hit by a bus in 2026, a Temecula, CA personal injury attorney can help you identify who's responsible.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus-Pedestrian Accident in California?

Pedestrian accidents are some of the most deadly in the country. The National Highway Traffic Administration reports that, on average, one pedestrian was killed roughly every 72 minutes in recent years. Even if the accident is not deadly, a vehicle as large as a bus can do severe damage to pedestrians.

Parties who may be liable after a bus strikes a pedestrian include:

• The bus driver, if they were speeding, distracted, impaired, or failed to yield

• The bus company or transit agency, which is generally responsible for its drivers' actions on the job

• A maintenance contractor, if a mechanical failure, like bad brakes, contributed

• A government entity, if poor road design, a broken signal, or a missing crosswalk played a role

Fault is shared in many of these cases. California follows pure comparative negligence, which means each party, sometimes including the pedestrian, can be assigned a percentage of fault. Compensation is reduced accordingly. Even a pedestrian found partly at fault may still recover some damages.

Does It Matter for Your Case if You Were Hit by a Public or Private Bus in California?

Whether the bus was public or private matters a great deal. It often affects the deadlines and procedures for your claim.

Public Transit Buses

If you were hit by a city or county transit bus, you would be dealing with a government entity. You generally must file a formal written claim with that public entity within six months of the accident (California Government Code § 911.2). This is much shorter than the usual filing window for personal injury claims.  

Private Buses

If a private company operated the bus, such as a charter, tour, or shuttle service, standard personal injury rules apply. Under California Civil Code § 2100, carriers such as buses owe their passengers "the utmost care and diligence." They are also responsible for driving safely to avoid injury to people outside the bus.

Private bus injuries have a longer filing window than public buses. California law generally allows you two years from the date of the injury to file a claim.

What Should I Do After Being Hit by a Bus in California?

Being struck by a vehicle is shocking, but if you can, you should follow a few basic steps to help support your claim later.

If you're able, collect names and contact details from witnesses before they leave. Photograph the scene, the bus, your injuries, and any signals or crosswalks nearby. If someone else has not already, report the crash to law enforcement so there's an official record, and get the responding agency's information. Lastly, get medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor, and keep copies of medical assessment reports.

It's also smart to avoid giving recorded statements to an insurer or transit agency. Even simple statements may be construed as fault and used to try to minimize what the insurance pays you. Speak to a lawyer before giving recorded statements if you’re unsure what you can safely say.

Call a Riverside County, CA Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you’re recovering from an injury after an encounter with a bus, you may not have the mental or emotional energy to try to sort out who is liable. Our team can help.

Our Temecula, CA personal injury lawyer has over 25 years of legal experience. Every case is handled personally by him. Call Maineri Law Firm at 951-698-4200 today to schedule a free consultation and discuss what your claim may be worth.