What if a public bus or city vehicle hit me?
Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin
California State Bar #45226 ↗ · Approval recorded November 4, 2026
How we record review approvalA crash with a public vehicle has special claim rules. You may need to act much sooner than in a claim against a private driver.
In this guide
Here’s an example
A city vehicle hits a cyclist while the driver is at work.
A made-up example to explain the idea. Your facts may lead to a different answer.How the rule works
Government claim presentment is a step that may come before a lawsuit. It is separate from reporting the crash to the bus operator. Sending notice to the wrong party can raise problems.
Legal references: [1] Government Code § 911.2 — Presenting a government claim · [2] Government Code § 945.6 — Time to sue a public entity · [3] California Civil Code § 1714 — Responsibility for harm
What can change the answer?
A bus may be run by a public agency or a private business. That can affect the rules. You need to check who ran it.
Court decisions behind this answer
A case can help explain a rule. Its facts and limits matter too.
State of California v. Superior Court (Bodde)
Supreme Court of California · 2004
32 Cal.4th 1234, slip op., p. 1
Before suing a public agency, a person may need to send it a formal claim. The court required the lawsuit to address that step or a valid excuse.
This does not list every deadline. It does not excuse a late claim.
Cabral v. Ralphs Grocery Co.
Supreme Court of California · 2011
51 Cal.4th 764, slip op., pp. 1–3
The court rejected a broad no-duty rule for a truck stopped beside a freeway. Drivers still had to use ordinary care.
It did not hold that every roadside stop is careless. The facts matter when deciding breach and cause.
Case applicability reviewed as recorded above.
A useful next step
Save the bus or vehicle number. Find the operator’s name. Check government-claim time limits right away.
If you are unsure which rule applies, a lawyer can review your facts and any deadlines. Learn about GJEL’s injury representation.
The law behind this guide
The references below support the legal discussion. Their application depends on the facts.
- Government Code § 911.2 — Presenting a government claim ↗Statute · Review recorded above
- Government Code § 945.6 — Time to sue a public entity ↗Statute · Review recorded above
- California Civil Code § 1714 — Responsibility for harm ↗Statute · Review recorded above
- State of California v. Superior Court (Bodde) (2004) 32 Cal.4th 1234 ↗Case law · Review recorded above
- Cabral v. Ralphs Grocery Co. (2011) 51 Cal.4th 764 ↗Case law · Review recorded above
Updated 2026-11-04. Read our editorial standards.