San Bernardino
Public Transportation Accident Lawyer
Reviewed by Randall S. Schiavone, Founding Attorney — September 2026.
For other types of motor vehicle accidents, visit our San Bernardino car accident lawyer page.
San Bernardino Public Transportation Accident Attorney
We depend on public transportation to get us safely from point A to point B.
For the most part, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation are safe. But sometimes, serious accidents happen. When an accident does occur, dozens of people can be hurt.
At Kampf, Schiavone & Associates, our experienced San Bernardino public transportation accident attorneys represent victims of these accidents throughout the surrounding areas.
To speak to one of our attorneys in a free consultation, please call us at 866-583-1856. If you are unable to come to our office because of an injury, we can come to you.
What Causes Public Transportation Accidents?
Trains, buses and other forms of public transportation are not without their risks. Accidents can happen when you least expect them – even when riding the train or bus.
We represent people who have been injured on the following:
- Omnitrans buses
- Foothill Transit buses
- Morongo Basin buses
- Mountain Transit buses
- Metrolink trains
These accidents can be caused by operator error, vehicle malfunctions, or other factors. Sometimes, multiple parties are responsible for an accident. Our attorneys in San Bernardino work to hold each responsible party accountable for their negligence. Our goal is to explore every source of compensation on your behalf.
Why Public Transportation Claims Are Different: The Government Claims Act
Omnitrans, Foothill Transit, Mountain Transit, the Morongo Basin Transit Authority, and Metrolink are all public entities. Claims against a public entity follow California’s Government Claims Act, not the standard two-year deadline used in most personal injury cases. Under California Government Code section 911.2, you generally have only six months from the date of the accident to present a formal claim to the transit agency, before you can even file a lawsuit. If the agency denies the claim, you then have six months from the denial to file suit, under Government Code section 945.6. If you miss the six-month window, a late claim can sometimes still be presented under Government Code section 911.4, but that petition must be filed within one year of the accident and is not guaranteed to be granted. Because this deadline is so much shorter and stricter than a typical accident claim, it’s important to contact an attorney immediately after a public transportation accident.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Public Transportation Accident?
Victims of public transportation accidents may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one was killed in the accident
Who Is Responsible for a Public Transportation Accident?
Liability depends on what caused the accident. A transit agency may be responsible for a bus or train driver’s negligent operation, inadequate driver training, or a failure to properly maintain the vehicle. In other cases, a third-party driver who caused a collision with the bus or train may share or bear full responsibility, even though a public entity was also involved.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the accident. This rule comes from Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804, in which the California Supreme Court held that an injured person can recover damages reduced by their own percentage of fault, rather than being barred from recovery entirely.
Injured in a Train or Bus Accident? Talk to Our Public Transportation Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Case.
If you were injured while riding an Omnitrans bus, a Metrolink train, or another form of public transportation, please call us at 909-885-1522. Otherwise, you can complete our contact form, and someone from our office will contact you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long do I have to file a claim after a public transportation accident in San Bernardino?
Because most public transit providers are government entities, you generally have only six months from the date of the accident to file a formal claim, under California's Government Claims Act. This is much shorter than the standard two-year deadline for most personal injury cases, so it's important to act quickly.
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What if the accident was caused by another driver, not the bus or train itself?
If a third-party driver caused the collision, you may have a separate claim against that driver in addition to, or instead of, a claim against the transit agency. An attorney can help determine which parties are responsible and which deadlines apply to each.
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How much does it cost to hire a public transportation accident lawyer?
Kampf, Schiavone & Associates handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees or hourly rates. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, and you owe nothing if we don't win your case.
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What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you're not barred from a claim unless you're found 100 percent responsible.