Every day across California, millions of people board buses, trains, light rail lines, subways, and streetcars. They trust that the agencies operating these systems have trained their drivers, maintained their vehicles, and built their infrastructure to a standard that keeps passengers safe.

Most rides go without incident. But when something goes wrong on public transit, the consequences are often severe — and the legal landscape that follows is unlike any standard personal injury case.

Mass transit accidents happen more than most people realize. City buses collide with other vehicles. Light rail trains strike cars at intersections. Commuter trains derail. Passengers are hurt during sudden stops, platform incidents, and onboard accidents that never make the news.

When any of these happen to you, the first thing you need to know is that the rules are different — and the clock starts immediately.

The Six-Month Deadline That Changes Everything

This is the most critical difference between a mass transit claim and any other personal injury case — and the thing most victims don’t learn until it’s too late.

Because California’s mass transit systems are operated by government entities — LA Metro, Metrolink, BART, Caltrain, OCTA, MTS San Diego, and others — claims against them fall under the California Government Claims Act. Under Government Code §911.2, you have just six months from the date of the accident to file a formal government tort claim.

Miss that window and your right to sue is permanently gone — no exceptions, no extensions, regardless of how strong your case is.

Standard personal injury cases give you two years. Government transit claims give you six months — starting the day of the accident, not the day you fully understand your injuries.

After your claim is filed, the agency has 45 days to respond. If they reject it — which is common — you then have six months from that rejection to file in court.

Every stage has its own deadline. This is why calling an attorney immediately after a mass transit accident isn’t just wise — it’s urgent.

Every Type of Mass Transit Accident We Handle

California operates one of the most extensive public transit networks in the country. The cases we handle span every mode:
City and Transit Buses — Operated by agencies like LA Metro, OCTA, and MTS, bus accidents can involve driver negligence, mechanical failure, unsafe stops, or collisions with other vehicles. Passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists are all potential victims.

Commuter and Passenger Trains — Metrolink, Caltrain, and Amtrak routes cross the state daily. Derailments, grade crossing collisions, and onboard incidents each present distinct liability questions that require specific legal expertise.

Light Rail and Streetcars — Systems like LA Metro Rail, Sacramento RT Light Rail, and the San Diego Trolley operate on public streets alongside vehicle traffic. Collisions at intersections, crossings, and station platforms are recurring problems with real victims behind every incident.

Subways and Rapid Transit — Underground and elevated rail systems carry their own hazards — platform accidents, train door injuries, sudden stops, and collisions. When you’re underground with nowhere to go, the injuries can be significant.

Government Shuttles and Airport Connectors — Publicly operated employee or airport shuttle services fall under similar liability frameworks and are subject to the same government claims requirements.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

One of the most important steps in any mass transit case is identifying every party whose negligence contributed to the accident. Liability rarely falls on just one entity.

Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties can include:
● The transit agency, for driver error, inadequate training, or negligent supervision
● The vehicle or train manufacturer, if a mechanical defect contributed to the crash
● A maintenance contractor, if equipment was improperly inspected or serviced
● Another driver, if their negligence triggered the collision
● A government entity responsible for track, signal systems, or station design
● A third-party contractor managing platform or station safety

Each liable party represents a separate source of compensation. Missing any one of them leaves money on the table — and we make sure that doesn’t happen.

What To Do After a Mass Transit Accident

Get medical attention immediately. Head trauma, spinal injuries, and internal damage frequently don’t show their full severity right away. See a doctor the same day and keep records of everything.

Report the incident before you leave. Notify the driver, operator, or station personnel and make sure an incident report is filed. Note the route number, vehicle number, and the exact time and location.

Document the scene. Photograph the vehicle, platform, surrounding conditions, and any visible injuries before you leave.

Get witness contact information. Other passengers move on quickly. Get names and numbers while people are still present.

Don’t give a recorded statement to the transit agency or their insurer before speaking with an attorney. Early statements are used to limit claims — not protect them.

Call Chris and Frank immediately. With a six-month government filing window, there is no safe time to wait.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Mass transit injuries can range from soft tissue damage to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, and worse.

A successful claim pursues the full picture — not just the immediate bills:
● Emergency medical treatment, surgery, and hospitalization
● Ongoing care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
● Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
● Pain and suffering and emotional distress
● Permanent disability or disfigurement
● Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one

Government transit agencies and their insurers move quickly to protect themselves. Having an experienced attorney engaged from the start changes that dynamic entirely.

Why Hire Chris and Frank

Mass transit cases are procedurally complex, time-sensitive, and pit you against government agencies with institutional resources and experienced legal teams. This is not the territory for a general practice attorney. It requires someone who knows California’s government claims process, understands the specific liability frameworks for each transit mode, and has the track record to back it up.

We’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients and win 99% of our cases. From your first call, we take over completely — filing the necessary claims on time, investigating the accident, connecting you with top medical specialists at no upfront cost, and pursuing every liable party.

Cash advances are available if lost income is creating financial pressure. No fees until we win. Se habla español. And with offices across California and the Pacific Northwest — and more locations opening — we’re always within reach.

You trusted the system to get you there safely. When it failed, we’ll make sure someone answers for it. Call Chris and Frank today for a free consultation.