Jerry O’Connell Took the Metro to Beverly Hills. What a Los Angeles Metro Bus Accident Lawyer Sees When a Ride Goes Wrong

TL;DR

 A Metro bus ride should be safe. If a crash hurts you, a Los Angeles Metro bus accident lawyer can help you understand what happened, who may be responsible, and what legal options you may have.

Jerry O’Connell had a reason to smile when he stepped onto Los Angeles’ new D Line in May 2026. At the opening of the Wilshire/Fairfax station, the actor joked that he could not wait to take the D Line to Beverly Hills.

That sounds simple. Take the Metro. Get where you need to go. But what happens when that simple ride goes wrong?

What if a bus crashes? What if the driver makes a dangerous turn? What if another car hits the bus? What if you fall because the bus stops too hard? A serious bus crash can cause broken bones, head injuries, back pain, missed work, and months of recovery.

Los Angeles depends on public transportation. Metro reported 305 million boardings in 2025. Its bus system also has more than 2,000 buses and 117 routes.

That is a lot of people sharing the road every day.

Metro has worked to improve safety. In 2025, it reported a 6.7% drop in violent crime across its system. It also reported fewer attacks on bus drivers after adding safety barriers.

But can safety measures stop every crash?

No.

In February 2026, a vehicle crashed into a Metro bus in the Westlake area. Nine people suffered injuries, and four went to the hospital.

So, what happens after a crash?

A Metro bus accident attorney in Los Angeles may look at many parts of the crash. Was the bus driver careful? Did another driver cause the crash? Was the bus working properly? Was there video? Did anyone see what happened?

The first big question is: What caused the injury?

What can matter after a Metro bus crash?

Think about the first few minutes after a crash.

People may panic. Someone may need medical help. Traffic may keep moving. The bus may leave. Witnesses may go home.

Then what?

A few days later, people may not remember every detail.

That is why evidence matters.

A Los Angeles bus accident lawyer may review photos, medical records, police reports, witness statements, video, and other records. The goal is to find out what happened.

For example, let’s say a passenger falls when a bus suddenly stops.

• Was the bus moving too fast?
• Did another car cut in front of it?
• Did the driver have a good reason to stop?
• Was the passenger holding a rail?

A video might answer some of those questions.

California also has special rules for claims against public agencies. In general, a personal injury claim against a public entity must be presented within six months after the claim starts, although exceptions can apply.

That makes one question very important: What deadline applies to your case?

A simple way to understand the process:

Getting hurt does not always mean someone else caused the injury.

Here is a simple example.

A passenger stands before the bus reaches a stop. The bus makes a normal turn. The passenger falls.

• Was the driver careless?
• Was the passenger holding a rail?
• Did the bus make a sudden move?
• Did something else cause the fall?

A 2025 California case, Agustin v. Golden Empire Transit District, shows why these questions matter. A passenger fell while standing on a public bus. Security video showed that the bus made a normal turn and that the passenger was not holding a railing. The court ruled for the defendants.

The lesson is simple:

An injury alone does not prove that someone else was at fault.

The facts must show what caused the injury.

That is why a Metro bus injury lawyer in Los Angeles may look closely at the driver, passenger, road, bus, video, and other evidence.

Two recent California Supreme Court cases can help explain how courts look at safety and responsibility.

In Gutierrez v. Tostado, decided in July 2025, the court looked at a crash involving an ambulance. The court said the claim involved a driver’s general duty to keep others safe on the road.

Why does that matter?

Because drivers must take reasonable care around other people. That idea can matter when a crash involves a bus, car, cyclist, or pedestrian.

Then there is Whitehead v. City of Oakland, decided in May 2025. That case involved a cyclist who suffered an injury because of a dangerous road condition. The California Supreme Court looked at a public agency’s duty to protect public safety.

What does this tell us?

Public safety matters. But the exact legal rules depend on what happened.

So, after a Metro crash, ask:

• Who had a duty to act safely?
• Did someone fail to do that?
• Did that failure cause the injury?

Those answers can shape a legal claim.

Jerry O’Connell’s May 2026 appearance showed the excitement around Los Angeles’ growing transit system.

Ed Begley Jr. offers another view.

The Los Angeles actor has used public transportation for many years. In a discussion about Los Angeles transportation, he talked about walking, biking, and public transit. He also shared that his daughter spent a week getting around Los Angeles using Metro buses and trains without a car or rideshare.

Why does that matter?

Because public transit is not just about getting from one place to another.

People use buses to get to work.

They use them to get to school.

They use them to see a doctor.

They use them to get home.

Metro says its buses and trains carry about 900,000 boardings each weekday. The agency has also added cameras, safety staff, ambassadors, and other safety steps.

But accidents can still happen.

• What if another driver causes a crash?
• What if a bus driver makes a mistake?
• What if a dangerous road condition plays a part?
• Who should answer for the injury?

A public transportation accident lawyer in Los Angeles may examine those questions one by one.

First, get medical care if you need it. Some injuries may not hurt much at first.

Then, write down what you remember.

• What bus were you on?
• What was the route?
• Where did the crash happen?
• What time did it happen?
• What did you see?

If it is safe, take photos. Keep your medical records and bills. If someone saw what happened, write down their contact information.

Then ask some simple questions:

• How did the crash happen?
• Who may have caused it?
• Is there video?
• Did anyone see it?
• Does a government deadline apply?
• What losses may the law cover?

A bus accident attorney in Los Angeles can review these questions and explain the legal options that may fit the facts.

• A bus injury does not automatically mean someone else is at fault.
• Photos, video, medical records, and witnesses can help show what happened.
• Claims against public agencies can have special deadlines.
• California courts look closely at who had a duty to act safely.
• A free consultation can help you understand your legal options after a bus accident.

For Jerry O’Connell, riding the Metro was a fun part of Los Angeles’ transit future.

For most people, it is much simpler. They just want to get to work. They want to get home. They want to get to school or a doctor’s appointment.

But what happens when that ride ends in a crash? Who caused it? What evidence can show what happened? What deadline applies? What does California law allow?

These questions can be hard to answer alone.

Blair & Ramirez LLP can help you understand your legal options after a Metro bus accident. Contact Blair & Ramirez LLP to request a free case review and discuss what happened, what evidence may exist, and what choices may be available under California law.