Bakersfield Bus Accident Lawyer
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Bakersfield Bus Accident Lawyer
Ninety percent of California’s population lives within four hours of Bakersfield. That means our city’s roads are crowded not just with local commuters but also heavy through traffic. Among those vehicles are buses—school buses, tour buses, Golden Empire Transit (GET) buses, and Greyhound coaches—all regularly traveling through Bakersfield.
If you’ve been injured in a bus crash, you may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and overwhelming uncertainty about what comes next. A Bakersfield bus accident lawyer from Gomez Trial Attorneys can help. Our team has secured more than $750 million for clients across California, with multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury cases. Founder John Gomez has been named San Diego’s Outstanding Trial Lawyer 11 times, and our trial reputation means insurance companies know we fight to win.
Free Consultation — No Fees Unless We Win. Call (619) 237-3490 today.
Why Choose Gomez Trial Attorneys for Bakersfield Bus Accident Cases
We pair trial-tested advocacy with compassionate service. Our attorneys understand how to document the full impact of a bus accident, from ER visits at Kern Medical or Adventist Health Bakersfield to long-term rehabilitation and the effect on your career and independence. When you hire us, you get:- Proven results: Hundreds of millions recovered, including multimillion-dollar cases. See our case results.
- Trial strength: Every case is prepared as if it will go before a jury, giving us leverage in negotiations.
- Resources: We work with accident reconstruction experts, neurologists, and life-care planners.
- Accessibility: Free consultations, contingency fees, and Spanish-language support.
Common Causes of Bakersfield Bus Accidents
Bus accidents in Bakersfield rarely happen without negligence. Whether it’s a distracted driver behind the wheel of a Greyhound, faulty brakes on a tour bus, or a poorly maintained GET vehicle, many of these crashes are preventable. In some cases, the city or county may also share responsibility if dangerous road design or lack of maintenance played a role. Understanding the most frequent causes can help identify who is legally liable for your injuries. Bus accidents in Bakersfield often arise from preventable negligence, such as:- Driver negligence: Speeding, fatigue, distraction, or DUI. Learn more about California distracted driving laws.
- Defective equipment or poor maintenance: Brake failures, bald tires, or faulty steering.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, faded lane markings, or dangerous construction zones. Liability may extend to government entities—see our government liability lawyer page.
- Inadequate safety protocols: Allowing blocked aisles, unsafe drop-offs, or lack of passenger supervision.
- Other drivers: Negligent motorists cutting off or colliding with buses. See common causes of car accidents.
Types of Bus Accidents in Bakersfield
Not all bus accidents are the same, and the type of bus involved can drastically affect how a case is handled. A crash with a privately owned tour bus, for example, will follow a very different legal process than an accident with a Golden Empire Transit bus, which involves government claim procedures. Likewise, school bus collisions raise unique issues involving minors, state regulations, and higher safety duties. Below are the most common bus accident scenarios our attorneys handle in Bakersfield.- School bus accidents: Despite strict safety standards, collisions injure passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians each year. Collisions near the Bakersfield College area or local high schools often involve school buses carrying dozens of young passengers, raising unique safety and liability concerns.
- Tour bus crashes: Tour operators and private carriers are “common carriers” held to a higher legal duty. Tour buses frequently travel the SR-99 corridor through Bakersfield, carrying large groups between Southern and Northern California. These high-traffic routes are often the site of serious crashes.
- Public transportation accidents: GET buses and Greyhound coaches may involve special government claim procedures with short deadlines. Golden Empire Transit buses also serve the Downtown Transit Center, a hub where heavy foot traffic and vehicle congestion increase the risk of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Common Injuries in Bakersfield Bus Accidents
Because of their size and lack of passenger safety restraints, buses can cause catastrophic injuries when they crash. Victims may be passengers, other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians — all of whom face exposure to violent forces during impact. Injuries often range from broken bones and whiplash to life-changing conditions like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage. In addition, psychological injuries such as PTSD are common, especially when survivors witness others being hurt or killed. Despite safety efforts, bus accidents can cause devastating harm, including:- Head and brain injuries — concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even a “mild” concussion can cause lasting problems like memory loss and headaches. See our brain injury lawyer page and resources on memory loss after concussion.
- Spinal cord and back injuries — paralysis, spinal fractures, and herniated discs. Learn more about spinal cord injuries and types of spinal fractures.
- Broken bones — arms, wrists, and ribs are especially common.
- Burn injuries — from fires or hot surfaces in high-impact crashes.
- Loss of limb — traumatic amputations or surgical removals.
- Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety, or depression after a catastrophic crash. See our guide to anxiety after a car accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bakersfield Bus Accident?
One of the most important parts of any bus accident case is identifying all potentially responsible parties. Liability may not fall solely on the bus driver — it often extends to employers, maintenance contractors, or even government agencies. California law recognizes that multiple entities can share fault, which means your case may involve several different insurance companies and legal standards. Our attorneys investigate all angles to ensure no negligent party escapes accountability. Determining liability is one of the most critical parts of your case. Responsible parties may include:- The bus driver — for negligent operation.
- The carrier — GET, Greyhound, or a school district for negligent hiring, training, or supervision.
- Maintenance contractors — for skipped inspections or faulty repairs.
- Other motorists — reckless or impaired drivers who cause collisions.
- Manufacturers — defective bus parts or safety equipment.
- Government entities — unsafe road design, poor maintenance, or public transit operations. Claims against public entities often require a government claim within six months under California law.
How Our Bakersfield Bus Accident Lawyers Prove Your Case
Proving fault and damages in a bus accident requires extensive resources and trial experience. These cases often involve multiple defendants and aggressive insurance companies, each trying to shift blame. That’s why we prepare every claim as if it’s going to trial. From securing critical evidence to consulting with accident reconstructionists and medical experts, we build the strongest possible case to maximize your recovery. We investigate every case as if it were heading to trial. That means collecting:- Accident reports, surveillance video, and 911 audio
- Onboard video and telematics data (critical in bus cases)
- Maintenance logs and driver qualification files
- Witness testimony from passengers, motorists, and bystanders
- Expert analysis from neurologists, life-care planners, and reconstruction specialists
What To Do After a Bakersfield Bus Crash
The steps you take immediately after a bus accident can make or break your claim. Seeking medical care and preserving evidence are vital, but so is avoiding common pitfalls like giving statements to insurers too soon. Because bus companies and government agencies often move quickly to protect themselves, it’s important for injured victims to act just as quickly to protect their rights. Here are the key steps you should follow after a bus crash in Bakersfield.- Call 911 and get medical care immediately. TBIs often have delayed symptoms.
- Gather information: bus number, route, driver ID, location, weather, and signage.
- Take photos/videos of damage, skid marks, and hazards.
- Collect witness contacts and save your bus ticket/pass.
- Preserve evidence: contact us to demand the bus company retain video and maintenance logs.
- Avoid recorded statements to insurers until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
Compensation Available in Bakersfield Bus Accident Lawsuits
A bus crash can leave victims facing enormous financial and emotional burdens. Medical bills start piling up almost immediately, and many people are unable to return to work for weeks, months, or even permanently. Beyond the financial costs, survivors also endure pain, trauma, and the loss of normal life routines. California law allows victims to recover both economic damages (like hospital bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (like pain and suffering). In cases of reckless or egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available. You may be entitled to recover damages for:- Medical care (emergency treatment, rehab, and future needs)
- In-home care, mobility aids, and home modifications
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
Frequently Asked Questions About Bakersfield Bus Accidents
Do I have to file a claim against the bus company or the city?
Often, yes. Depending on whether the bus was operated by GET, Greyhound, a tour company, or a school district, liability may rest with private or public entities. Public claims often require a government claim within six months, while private cases typically have a two-year statute of limitations. We handle both processes to protect your rights.What evidence helps most in Bakersfield bus cases?
In addition to police reports and medical records, we secure onboard video, telematics data, maintenance records, driver logs, and witness testimony. We also work with accident reconstruction experts to tie the mechanics of the crash directly to your injuries.How do “common carrier” rules affect my case?
California law holds buses to a higher duty of care than ordinary drivers. That means unsafe drop-offs, blocked aisles, or driver fatigue may be easier to prove as negligence in a bus case than in a standard car accident claim.What if my symptoms appeared days or weeks later?
This is very common with TBIs and whiplash. Symptoms like dizziness, headaches, or mood changes may not appear immediately. Prompt medical care and legal representation are essential to link your diagnosis to the crash and prevent insurers from disputing causation.How much is my Bakersfield bus accident case worth?
Every bus accident case is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all settlement value. The worth of your case depends on several key factors:- Severity of your injuries — Cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or amputations often result in higher compensation than cases involving minor fractures or soft tissue injuries.
- Medical treatment and long-term care — If your accident leads to ongoing rehabilitation, in-home care, or permanent disability, those costs must be factored into your damages.
- Lost income and future earning potential — Your recovery may include not just wages you’ve already lost, but also diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
- Liability disputes — When fault is clear, cases typically resolve faster. But if multiple parties (such as the bus company, a third-party driver, or the city) dispute liability, it can affect both timing and value.
- Available insurance coverage — The compensation available is often tied to the insurance policies held by the bus company, government entity, or other at-fault parties.
- Punitive damages — In cases involving reckless behavior, such as drunk driving or grossly negligent maintenance practices, California courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant.
Speak With a Bakersfield Bus Accident Lawyer Today
You don’t have to face the aftermath of a bus crash alone. At Gomez Trial Attorneys, we combine proven trial results with client-first service. Call (619) 237-3490 or contact us online for a Free Consultation — No Fees Until We Win.Our Process... Easy as 1. 2. 3!
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“John helped me find doctors, he referred me to his neurologist, his physical therapist, I mean, anything I needed he was right there, every step of the way. I couldn’t have asked for a better result from all of this, I would absolutely recommend Gomez Trial Attorneys.”
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