Under California law, accident victims have two years from the date of an accident to file a suit. While you may not plan to file a lawsuit, you strengthen your negotiating position by keeping that option open. The longer you wait, the less incentive the insurer has to compensate you fully. It knows the clock is about to expire on your ability to file a lawsuit—and, consequently, to compel it to negotiate. Therefore, you should contact our firm about preparing your bus accident claim as soon as possible. Claims against government entities have an even stricter deadline. Under the California Tort Claims Act, you have just six months to notify the relevant government entity of your intent to file suit in writing. This deadline and the additional paperwork the law requires are two more reasons to work with an experienced bus accident lawyer.