You Can Sue MTS. But Only If You Act in Time.

San Diego's public bus system carries hundreds of thousands of riders every week — and when a driver's negligence puts a passenger or pedestrian in the hospital, the rules for pursuing a claim are nothing like a standard car accident case.

Not All Bus Accidents Work the Same Way

The type of bus involved in your accident determines which rules apply, which deadlines you face, and who you can hold accountable. These distinctions matter enormously, and getting them wrong early in the process can cost you your entire claim.

MTS Bus Accidents

MTS is a government entity, which means any injury claim against it is governed by the California Government Claims Act. Before you can file a lawsuit, you must submit a formal Government Tort Claim to MTS within 6 months of the date of your injury. This is not the lawsuit itself — it is a mandatory prerequisite. If MTS denies the claim or fails to respond, you then have a limited window to file suit. The 6-month deadline is strict, and there are very few exceptions.

School Bus Accidents

If the school bus is operated by a public school district, it is also a government entity, and the same 6-month Government Tort Claim requirement applies. Private school buses follow standard personal injury rules and timelines, but liability still runs through the school, the bus operator, or both. Whether your child was injured as a passenger or struck by a school bus as a pedestrian, the first question we ask is who operated that bus.

Tour and Charter Bus Accidents

Tour operators and charter bus companies are private entities, which means standard California personal injury rules apply — including the two-year statute of limitations. That said, these cases often involve out-of-state companies, complex insurance structures, and multiple potentially liable parties. The longer deadline does not mean these cases are simple.

Pedestrians and Cyclists Struck by a Bus

You do not have to be a passenger to have a claim. Pedestrians and cyclists hit by MTS buses in downtown San Diego and throughout the metro area are among the most seriously injured victims we represent. If MTS operated the bus that struck you, the 6-month Government Tort Claim deadline applies to you as well — even though you never boarded.

Why Bus Companies Are Held to a Higher Standard

Under California law, bus companies and public transit agencies are classified as common carriers. That means they are held to a higher duty of care toward passengers than an ordinary driver owes to the public. A bus driver who makes a sudden stop without warning, pulls away from a stop before a passenger has safely disembarked, or operates recklessly through a busy corridor has not just been careless — they have violated an elevated legal obligation. That distinction matters when we build your case.

Where San Diego Bus Accidents Happen Most

Certain routes and corridors in San Diego see a disproportionate share of bus-related injuries. Route 7 along El Cajon Boulevard and Route 215 through National City and Chula Vista are among the highest-traffic corridors in the MTS system and have consistent histories of boarding and alighting incidents, pedestrian conflicts, and passenger falls. Downtown San Diego's transit corridors, particularly around the Gaslamp Quarter and the trolley transfer zones, generate a significant share of pedestrian-versus-bus incidents. Knowing where accidents cluster helps us investigate your case with the right local context from the start.

Common Injuries We See in Bus Accident Cases

Bus accidents produce a wide range of injuries depending on whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or a cyclist. The most common we handle include:

• Traumatic brain injuries from sudden stops, collisions, or falls inside the bus
• Spinal and neck injuries from rear-end impacts or being thrown from a seat
• Broken bones and fractures from falls during boarding or disembarking
• Soft tissue injuries to the back, shoulder, and knee from abrupt braking
• Lacerations and crush injuries in pedestrian-versus-bus impacts
• Internal injuries in high-speed collisions involving tour or charter buses

Many of these injuries are not immediately apparent at the scene. If you were involved in a bus accident and feel any pain at all, get medical attention and call us before you speak to anyone from MTS or their insurance carrier.

Why Brennan Quigley Is the Right Attorney for a Bus Accident Case

Before founding this firm, Brennan Quigley spent years on the defense side — working for insurance companies and learning exactly how they evaluate claims, identify weaknesses, and minimize payouts. Government entity cases like MTS claims require a level of procedural precision that most general PI firms are not built for. We know the Government Claims Act filing requirements, we understand how transit agencies investigate and respond to claims, and we keep our caseload small enough that Brennan handles your case directly. You will not be passed to a paralegal or a junior associate. When you call, you reach us.

Bus Accident Questions We Hear Every Day

Start With a Free Consultation — Before the Deadline Passes

Bus accident claims in San Diego move on a compressed timeline that most injury victims do not know about until it is too late. Whether you were hurt as a passenger, struck as a pedestrian, or involved in a school or charter bus accident, we will tell you exactly what deadlines apply, what your claim is worth pursuing, and what the next step looks like. There is no fee unless we recover for you.