Injured in the DTLA Metro Bus Crash? Your Legal Rights After Multi-Vehicle Transit Collisions

On August 20, 2025, a chaotic scene unfolded in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles when two Metro buses and an SUV were involved in a multi-vehicle collision near the Walt Disney Concert Hall on South Grand Avenue. The crash, which sent one bus careening onto a sidewalk and into a restaurant patio, resulted in multiple injuries and significant property damage. For those injured—whether as a bus passenger, a driver in another vehicle, or a bystander—the path to recovery can be complicated and confusing and very expensive.

When a public transit authority like the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is involved, the legal process for obtaining compensation is different and has stricter deadlines than a standard car accident case. It also means these cases are typically worth a lot more money than your average car accident. At Walch Law, we have extensive experience holding government entities accountable and will work hard to maximize your compensation. Call now: 1-844-999-5342

(Incident details are based on a KTLA news report from August 20, 2025.)

Who Is Legally Responsible in a Multi-Vehicle Bus Crash?

Determining liability in a multi-vehicle pileup is rarely straightforward. When a common carrier like a Metro bus is involved, the investigation must look beyond just the drivers. Several parties could be at fault, including:

• The Metro Bus Operators: Bus drivers can be negligent through distraction, speeding, fatigue, or other errors. As “common carriers,” they are held to a higher standard of care than regular drivers, meaning they have a heightened duty to protect their passengers.
• LA Metro: As the employer, Metro is legally responsible for the negligence of its drivers (vicarious liability). Furthermore, Metro itself could be directly negligent if it failed to provide adequate training, enforce safety protocols, or properly maintain its vehicles.
• The Driver of the Private SUV: The driver of the other vehicle involved may be partially or fully at fault for causing the initial collision.
• Third-Party Contractors: If a maintenance issue contributed to the crash (e.g., faulty brakes), the private company responsible for Metro’s vehicle upkeep could be liable.
• The City of Los Angeles: In some cases, a dangerous road design, malfunctioning traffic signal, or poor road maintenance could be a contributing factor, creating liability for a public entity.

A thorough investigation is essential to identify every responsible party and all available sources of insurance and compensation. You want to make sure you are hiring the best Los Angeles LA Metro accident law firm for you.

The Government Claims Act: A Critical 6-Month Deadline

This is the most important rule for anyone injured in an accident involving a Metro bus. Before you can file a lawsuit against a public entity like LA Metro or the City of Los Angeles, you must first present them with a formal “Government Claim.” In California, you have only six months from the date of the injury to file this claim.

Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation from the government entity, even if they were 100% at fault. This is a strict and unforgiving deadline, which is why it is so important to consult with an attorney immediately after the accident.

Preserving Evidence Is Key to Your Case

In a complex commercial vehicle crash, evidence can disappear quickly. An experienced attorney will immediately send “preservation of evidence” letters to all involved parties, demanding they save critical information before it is destroyed or recorded over. This includes:

• Onboard Bus Cameras: Metro buses are equipped with multiple cameras that capture the driver’s actions and the environment inside and outside the bus.
• Vehicle Data Recorders: Similar to an airplane’s “black box,” these devices record data on speed, braking, and other operational inputs.
• Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Data: GPS data that tracks the bus’s exact location and speed.
• Operator Logs and Maintenance Records: Documents detailing the driver’s hours of service and the bus’s repair history.
• Dispatch and 911 Audio: Recordings of communications leading up to and immediately following the crash.

Common Injuries and the Importance of Medical Care

Bus collisions can cause a wide range of injuries, particularly because many passengers may be standing or not wearing seatbelts. Common injuries include:

• Whiplash and other soft-tissue neck and back injuries.
• Fractures from being thrown against poles, seats, or other passengers.
• Head injuries and concussions, even if you did not hit your head directly.
• Lacerations from broken glass or metal.

No matter how minor your injuries may seem, you must seek a full medical evaluation right away. This ensures you are properly diagnosed and treated, and it creates a vital record connecting your injuries to the crash.

Your Step-by-Step Guide After a Metro Bus Accident

1. Seek Medical Care: Your health is the first priority. Go to an ER or urgent care clinic and report every symptom.
2. Report the Incident: If you are able, file an incident report with Metro. Get the names and badge numbers of the bus operators.
3. Gather Witness Information: Get the names and phone numbers of other passengers or bystanders who saw what happened.
4. Take Photos: Use your phone to document the scene, the vehicle damage, and your injuries.
5. Keep Your Fare Receipt: Your bus pass or transfer can serve as proof that you were on the bus.
6. Request a Government Claim Form: Contact Metro to request the official form, but do not fill it out or submit it without legal advice.
7. Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement: You will be contacted by investigators or insurance adjusters. Politely decline to provide a recorded statement or sign any documents until you have consulted with an attorney.
8. Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyer: An attorney can immediately take over all communications, meet the 6-month claim deadline, and begin the critical process of preserving evidence. At Walch Law, we know how to win these cases and can get started the moment you call us.

Navigating the Insurance Maze

Bus accident claims involve complex layers of insurance. An experienced lawyer knows how to navigate them.

• LA Metro’s Self-Insurance: Metro is self-insured up to a certain high limit, meaning they pay claims out of their own funds. This makes their adjusters particularly aggressive in trying to deny or devalue claims.
• Third-Party Insurance: The liability insurance of the private SUV driver.
• Your Own Insurance: Even if you were a bus passenger, your own auto insurance policy might provide coverage. Your Medical Payments (Med-Pay) coverage can help pay initial bills, and your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage could apply if another at-fault driver was uninsured or had low policy limits.

Walch Law: Fighting for Victims of Public Transit Accidents

Being injured in a chaotic bus crash is a frightening and disorienting experience. Taking on a powerful government entity like LA Metro requires skill, resources, and an unwavering commitment to your case. For over 45 years, Walch Law has been fighting for the rights of injury victims across Los Angeles. We understand the unique laws that govern public transit accidents and know how to build a case that forces accountability and secures maximum compensation.

We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless and until we win your case. If you were injured in the downtown Metro bus crash, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to learn how we can protect your rights. Get in touch with us today, we would love to help.