Fighting for Injury Victims Who Deserve Better
If your child was injured in a school bus accident in San Fernando Valley, the claim typically involves multiple parties: the school district, the bus operator, and potentially other drivers. School districts are government entities, meaning you have only six months from the date of the incident to file a government tort claim before you permanently lose the right to sue. Missing this deadline cannot be undone.Born and Raised in the San Fernando Valley
I grew up in Woodland Hills, went to El Camino Real High School, and earned my law degree at UCLA. I still live in the Valley today, biking Las Virgenes Canyon near Valley Circle and Victory, spending evenings at Local Peasant on Ventura. I've represented injured residents across the Valley, from Calabasas and Woodland Hills to Sherman Oaks and Studio City, for years. Arya Firoozmand has handled school bus accident cases throughout San Fernando Valley, filing government tort claims within the six-month deadline, pursuing school districts and bus operators, and building the documented record that moves these claims toward fair resolution.
Why Your Case Is Different
The 101 through the San Fernando Valley is one of the most congested freeways in California. CHP SWITRS data shows consistent patterns of rear-end and lane-change crashes between the Woodland Hills and Studio City sections, particularly at peak commute hours.
Ventura Boulevard runs the length of the Valley from Studio City to Woodland Hills. High pedestrian traffic, numerous driveways and commercial entrances, and heavy local traffic make it a consistent location for pedestrian accidents, rear-end collisions, and slip-and-fall incidents.
School buses operated by public school districts are government vehicles. Injuries involving them require a Government Claims Act notice filed within 6 months of the injury (Government Code §911.2). This deadline is strict, missing it can permanently bar your child's claim.
School districts are liable for the negligent operation of their buses by employed drivers. For contracted transportation providers, both the district and the contractor may be independently liable depending on the supervision and control relationship.
Compensation Available in Your Case
Medical Expenses
Emergency care and ongoing treatment for children injured in school bus accidents.
Pain & Suffering
Physical and emotional damages for children and parents resulting from the accident.
Lost Parental Income
Income lost by parents who must provide care during a child's recovery.
Future Medical Costs
Long-term treatment and therapy costs for serious childhood injuries.
Emotional Distress
PTSD and anxiety from traumatic school bus accidents, particularly relevant for children.
How Westwood Law Builds a School Bus Accident Case
Claims against public school districts require a government tort claim within 6 months, missing this deadline bars the case entirely.
File the government tort claim within 6 months
Before any lawsuit against a public school district, a government tort claim must be filed. This is a mandatory precondition, not optional, and the 6-month deadline is strictly enforced.
Obtain driver and vehicle records
We request the bus driver's training records, prior incident history, drug and alcohol test results from the day of the crash, and maintenance records for the specific vehicle.
Identify any third-party defendants
When other drivers, road conditions, or equipment failures contributed to the accident, separate non-government claims may be available without the government claim restrictions. We investigate every potential defendant.
Document all child injuries thoroughly
Child injury claims require careful documentation of both immediate and long-term impacts, including growth and development effects, educational disruption, and psychological trauma that may not manifest immediately.