Nearly 21.4 million students ride the bus to and from school across the U.S. every day. Most rides end safely, but more than 85,000 children are injured in school bus-related accidents each year.
A school bus should be a safe place for a child—professionally operated, regularly maintained, and closely monitored. But when that safety fails, families are left with medical bills, unanswered questions, and the stress of figuring out what went wrong.
If your child is injured in a school bus crash, it’s natural to ask: Who was responsible? Was it preventable? And what can you do to protect your child? Accident liability in California can involve multiple parties, from school districts to private contractors and outside drivers.
Understanding how fault is determined—and what steps to take with an experienced school bus accident lawyer—can help you seek the compensation your family needs to recover and move forward.
Common Causes of School Bus Accidents
Annually, there are around 26,000 school bus crashes in the U.S. In California, reckless drivers are often the cause, due to actions like speeding or blowing through a stop sign. Multiple types of negligence can cause school bus accidents, including:
- Driver negligence. Speeding, distracted driving, or ignoring traffic laws can turn routine routes into dangerous ones, especially when drivers lack proper training or credentials.
- Poor road conditions. Weather, construction, or poor visibility can increase crash risk, particularly when drivers aren’t prepared to handle challenging routes.
- Vehicle maintenance failures. Ignored repair schedules or worn-out parts—like brakes or turn signals—can lead to accidents that could have been avoided with proper upkeep.
- Collisions with other drivers. Many crashes happen when another motorist rear-ends the bus, runs a red light, or drives recklessly near a stopped bus.
- Pedestrian and cyclist incidents. Children are especially vulnerable when drivers ignore stop arms or speed past a bus that’s loading or unloading, sometimes leading to devastating hit-and-run accidents.
- Lack of adult supervision. Kids can get hurt during fights, roughhousing, or sudden braking without someone monitoring onboard behavior.
If your child suffered a school bus injury in California, identifying who might be liable for the collision can help you seek fair compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a School Bus Injury?
Multiple parties may share responsibility when a child is hurt in a bus-related incident. At-fault parties can include:
| Liable Party | When They May Be Responsible |
| School District | May be liable when it owns and manages the bus fleet but fails to hire qualified drivers, conduct training, or maintain vehicles safely. |
| Third Party Contractor | School bus contractor liability applies when a private company hired by the school provides a driver or bus involved in the crash due to poor oversight or maintenance. |
| Bus Driver | Drivers can be at fault when their actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to follow procedures, lead to an injury. This applies whether the driver is a school employee or a contracted driver. |
| Another Driver | Can be held liable when they cause the crash by ignoring bus signals, driving recklessly near a stopped bus, or fleeing the scene. |
| Vehicle Manufacturer | May share fault if a design flaw or defective part, like faulty brakes or steering, contributed to the collision. |
In California, school bus accident liability isn’t always straightforward. For example, if your child was hurt because the bus driver was careless, but another driver also caused part of the crash, you may be able to file a school bus crash lawsuit against both.
If a school district is involved, you’ll also need to know whether the bus was run by a public or private school, which will affect how the claim is handled.
Public vs. Private School Transportation
The rules for filing a child bus accident claim in California depend on whether the school is public or private. Here’s an overview of how each process works:
Public Schools and Government Immunity
Public schools and districts are considered government entities, which means school transportation injury cases California fall under the California Tort Claims Act. This law limits when and how you can sue the government by requiring an early notice of claim, due to legal protections known as sovereign immunity.
Before you can sue the school district for a bus accident, you must submit a government claim within six months of the injury. This step is required and time-sensitive—missing it can prevent you from recovering any compensation.
Private Schools and Personal Injury Claims
Private schools and third-party bus companies are not government-run, so different rules apply. You don’t need to file a government claim first. Instead, you can bring a standard personal injury lawsuit, and the deadline is typically two years from the date of the injury.
These deadlines can affect your ability to recover compensation. If you’re unsure whether the school is public or private—or who operated the bus—a California school bus accident lawyer can determine the right type of claim and take fast action to protect your case.
What To Do After a School Bus Accident
Taking immediate action after a school transportation injury can protect your child’s health and legal rights. Follow these steps:
- Get medical attention right away. Have your child checked by a doctor immediately after the crash. Some injuries, like concussions or internal damage, may not show symptoms immediately.
- Request the police report and bus incident report. Request official reports from the CHP and school district to document driver actions, citations, and crash details. These reports are also crucial evidence for your claim.
- Collect additional witness information. Talk to other parents, students, or school staff who saw the crash. Their observations could support your child’s case.
- Document everything. Keep records of your child’s injuries, doctor visits, medications, and any therapy or mental health care they need. Track missed school days and any work you’ve had to miss as a parent.
- Contact a personal injury attorney. An experienced, trustworthy attorney can quickly gather evidence, protect your child’s interests, and manage communication with insurers or school officials.
Acting early helps your family regain control after a frightening event and seek fair compensation by filing a strong claim.
How a School Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
Legal action involving school buses can be stressful for your family. Government claims, private contractors, school policies, multiple insurers—it’s a lot to handle while also trying to care for a hurt child.
A school bus injury attorney can be your advocate when everything feels overwhelming. Here’s how they help you take control and move forward:
- Review reports, footage, and maintenance logs to understand how the crash happened.
- Speak with students, staff, and others who saw the incident firsthand.
- Identify everyone who may share legal responsibility for the injury.
- File government claims on time when a public school district is involved.
- Handle insurance negotiations to push back against low offers.
- Calculate medical expenses, emotional toll, and time your child missed from school, or you missed from work.
- When calculating public school bus injury compensation, estimate future needs, like therapy or academic support.
- File a wrongful death claim if the crash resulted in a tragic loss.
- Go to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
At The Shirvanian Law Firm, we take on the legal burden, allowing you to give your child the care they need to recover.
Protect Your Family’s Rights After a School Bus Collision
If your child’s been hurt in a school bus accident, you need clear answers. Who caused it? Who pays for their care? And how do you protect your child’s future?
At The Shirvanian Law Firm, we help families take action. Our team will identify who’s at fault, handle the legal process, and pursue full compensation for your child’s injuries, treatment, and future needs.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your claim and fight for the financial support your family needs during this challenging time.
