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$Bus Accident FAQ

Is a Bus a Common Carrier?

Generally, yes. In California, a bus that carries passengers for hire — a city bus, a transit system, a charter or tour bus — is usually a 'common carrier,' and common carriers owe their passengers a heightened duty of care: they must use the highest degree of care for passenger safety, more than an ordinary driver's reasonable-care standard.

That heightened duty can strengthen a passenger's claim. When a carrier falls short — an unsafe sudden stop, a poorly maintained bus, a driver who was fatigued or inattentive — and a passenger is hurt, the higher standard makes it easier to establish that the operator breached its duty.

The duty is not unlimited, and defenses and comparative fault can still come into play. But the starting point favors the passenger, which is one reason bus injury claims are handled differently from ordinary car crashes.

This is general information about Bus Accidents $bus accidents claims, not legal advice. Every situation is different.

The law depends on your state

The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to bus accidents.

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