Callahan & Blaine, PC is a Southern California litigation firm with more than 40 years of experience representing injured victims in the state’s most serious cases. Our 29 senior trial attorneys have pursued multi-million dollar recoveries on behalf of clients throughout Orange County, and our Huntington Beach personal injury attorneys are prepared to stand behind you every step of the way. We have secured a $50 million personal injury settlement recognized as the largest of its kind in United States history, and we bring that same level of commitment to every case we accept.
Why Bus Accident Claims Are Different
Bus accident cases involve legal and procedural challenges that set them apart from other personal injury matters. Understanding those differences from the start can have a significant impact on the outcome of your claim.
Identifying All Liable Parties
Responsibility in a bus accident rarely falls on one party alone. The driver, the bus company, a government transit authority, a vehicle maintenance contractor, or even another driver who caused the collision may each carry liability. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to identify every party that played a role in causing your injuries, making sure that no responsible party escapes accountability.
Claims Against Government Entities
When the bus involved in your accident was operated by a public transit agency, such as the Orange County Transportation Authority, specific rules govern how and when a claim must be filed. California law requires that an administrative claim be submitted to the agency within six months of the incident, a deadline that is far shorter than the standard statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Missing this window can permanently bar your ability to seek compensation.
The Scope of Bus Accident Injuries in the United States
Bus crashes are far more common than many people realize. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts report, tens of thousands of injury crashes involving large vehicles, including buses, occur across the country each year. These collisions frequently result in severe harm because passengers are not protected by seatbelts, airbags, or the structural reinforcement that standard passenger vehicles provide. In Huntington Beach and throughout Southern California, transit corridors, beach-area routes, and heavily trafficked intersections create conditions where bus accidents cause serious and sometimes life-altering injuries.
The injuries sustained in these crashes can be profound. Many victims face long-term or permanent consequences that affect every aspect of daily life, including the ability to work and care for their families. Some of the most serious outcomes we see in bus accident cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Severe blows to the head during impact can cause cognitive damage, memory impairment, and permanent neurological effects, as explored in our overview of brain injury cases.
- Spinal cord damage: Compression or severing of the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care.
- Broken bones and internal injuries: The forces generated in a bus crash routinely fracture bones and rupture internal organs, often requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation.
- Wrongful death: In the most devastating outcomes, families are left to pursue justice after losing a loved one in a crash, a process our attorneys handle with care through our wrongful death practice.
Understanding the most common injuries victims sustain in bus accidents can help you recognize the full extent of what you may be entitled to recover.
Compensation Available to Bus Accident Victims
A successful bus accident claim may recover damages across several categories. Economic losses such as current and future medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity form the foundation of most claims. Beyond those measurable costs, victims may also recover for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving particularly severe or disabling harm, courts may consider additional compensation for catastrophic injury consequences that permanently affect the victim’s future.
California follows a comparative fault system, which means your recovery may be reduced if you are found partially responsible for the accident. However, even if you share some degree of fault, you may still be entitled to compensation. Our attorneys work to build the strongest possible case on your behalf, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and, when necessary, working with accident reconstruction professionals.
Hire Callahan & Blaine, PC to Handle Your Litigation Matter
When you are facing the aftermath of a serious bus accident in Huntington Beach, you need a legal team with the depth of experience and the resolve to pursue maximum compensation against any defendant, including large transit agencies and their insurers. Callahan & Blaine, PC has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients throughout Southern California, including a $7.25 million settlement for a man struck by an OCTA bus. Our Managing Partner, Edward Susolik, has been named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Southern California every year since 2009 and has personally handled more than 1,500 mediations throughout his career.
Our firm was founded in 1984, and for more than four decades, we have built our reputation on one principle: winning for our clients. If you or a family member has been injured in a bus accident, we encourage you to contact us to submit your potential case and speak with one of our experienced Huntington Beach attorneys today.
