LA Metro Bus Accident Claims: What Passengers, Drivers, and Pedestrians Need to Know

LA Metro runs one of the largest bus systems in the country, plus light rail and subway lines across Los Angeles County. When a Metro bus is involved in a crash, the claim follows different rules than a crash with a private driver.

In plain terms: An LA Metro bus accident claim is a written claim presented to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a public agency, for injuries or damage caused by a Metro bus, driver, stop, or facility. Under Government Code section 911.2, an injury claim generally must be presented within six months of the crash, before any lawsuit.

This page is general information, not legal advice.

Win Attorneys represents people hurt in bus accidents and other mass transit accidents across Southern California. Our office is fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Talk to us at (562) 296-5380 or reach out through our contact page for a free case review. Office: 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.

Who Gets Hurt in Metro Bus Crashes

Passengers thrown by sudden stops, sharp turns, or collisions.
Riders boarding or leaving when a bus pulls away early, a ramp fails, or the bus stops away from the curb.
Drivers and motorcyclists hit by a bus changing lanes or turning left. See motorcycle crashes with a left-turning Metro bus.
Pedestrians and cyclists struck at crosswalks and stops.
Passengers hurt by another driver who hit the bus. See injured on a Metro bus by another driver.

Why Metro Bus Claims Are Different

The Six-Month Claim

Because LA Metro is a public entity, the Government Claims Act applies. Section 945.4 bars most lawsuits until a written claim has been presented and acted on or deemed rejected. If Metro rejects the claim in writing, section 945.6 generally gives six months from that notice to file suit.

Common Carrier Duty

Under Civil Code section 2100, a carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage. That is a higher standard than ordinary care, and it can matter in passenger cases.

More Than One Possible Defendant

Some routes and services are run by contractors. A crash can also involve another driver, a road condition, or a vehicle defect. Identifying every party early protects every deadline.

Read our transit six-month claim deadline checklist and the full California government and Caltrans claims guide.

Evidence to Save After a Metro Bus Crash

The bus number, route, direction, and time.
Your TAP card or fare record, which can show you were on board.
Photos of the scene, the bus, your injuries, and the stop.
Names and phone numbers of witnesses and other passengers.
A request that Metro preserve onboard and exterior video. Transit video can be overwritten, so ask early.
Medical records from the first visit forward.

Metro Rail and Crossing Injuries

Metro also runs light rail and subway lines. Rail crashes and crossing injuries follow the same six-month claim rule. See our California train accident page and train and rail crossing injuries. For regional commuter rail, see Metrolink accidents.

When a Metro train strikes a pedestrian, families may have a wrongful death claim against the agency. Read about wrongful death claims after the Pasadena A Line crash.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a claim against LA Metro?

For injury, a claim generally must be presented within six months of the crash under Government Code section 911.2.

Can I sue LA Metro right away?

Usually not. Section 945.4 generally requires a written claim to be presented and acted on or deemed rejected first.

What if another car hit the bus I was riding?

You may have claims against the other driver and against Metro, and possibly your own Med-Pay or uninsured motorist coverage. Each has its own deadline.

Does Metro have to keep bus video?

Do not assume it will. Send a written preservation request as early as possible.

What standard of care does a Metro bus driver owe passengers?

Civil Code section 2100 requires a carrier of persons for reward to use the utmost care and diligence for passengers’ safe carriage.

Talk to us at (562) 296-5380 or reach out through our contact page. Office: 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.