Jon Mani | October 20, 2026 | Ohio Law
If you were injured on a Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) bus in Columbus, Ohio, you may be able to sue for compensation. Although COTA is a government agency, Ohio law allows certain lawsuits involving negligent bus drivers.
However, suing a public transit authority is different from filing a claim against a private bus company. Government immunity can affect whether you have a valid case, making it important to understand your legal options before moving forward.
Can You Sue COTA if You’re Hurt on One of Its Buses?
Yes. You can generally sue COTA if your injuries were caused by a bus driver’s negligent operation of the vehicle while performing their job duties.
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2744.02(B)(1), government entities can be held liable for injuries caused by an employee’s negligent operation of a motor vehicle, subject to certain exceptions and defenses.
This means COTA cannot automatically avoid liability simply because it operates as a public agency. However, whether you have a valid claim depends on the circumstances of your accident.
Why Is Suing COTA Different From Suing a Private Bus Company?
Suing COTA is different because it generally has government immunity, while private bus companies do not receive the same legal protection. As a political subdivision, COTA is protected by Ohio’s Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act. However, that protection is not absolute. Ohio law specifically allows certain claims involving negligent vehicle operation.
At Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers, an important first step in evaluating a COTA injury claim is determining whether the circumstances fall within an exception to government immunity.
Our firm has recovered over $250 million for injured clients. Our co-founding attorney, Jon Mani, has also secured multiple seven-figure verdicts in construction, trucking, and nursing home negligence cases. This experience handling complex injury claims helps our team approach challenging liability questions with careful preparation and attention to detail.
What Is Ohio’s Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act?
Ohio’s Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act is a law that generally protects government entities from personal injury lawsuits. However, it includes specific exceptions that allow injured individuals to pursue compensation.
Found in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2744, the law applies to cities, counties, qualifying public transit authorities, and other political subdivisions.
When someone files a claim against COTA, courts generally consider three questions:
- Does government immunity apply to the claim?
- Does a statutory exception remove that immunity?
- Does another legal defense restore the agency’s protection?
For many COTA bus accident claims, the key issue is whether the injury resulted from negligent vehicle operation. If it did, the injured person may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit.
What Kinds of COTA Injury Claims Are Most Likely to Succeed?
Claims involving a bus driver’s negligent operation of the vehicle generally have a clearer path past government immunity than claims unrelated to driving.
Examples include:
- A COTA bus driver negligently rear-ending another vehicle
- A driver failing to yield and causing an intersection collision
- A sudden, unnecessary stop that causes a standing passenger to fall
- A driver accelerating negligently while passengers are boarding
These situations may qualify for an exception to government immunity if the evidence establishes negligence and shows that it caused the injury.
However, not every injury on a COTA bus involves negligent vehicle operation. Claims involving unsafe conditions, maintenance problems, or other circumstances may face additional legal challenges.
Are the Filing Rules Different When You Sue a Government Transit Agency?
Yes. Claims against government transit agencies can involve different legal requirements than ordinary personal injury lawsuits against private companies.
For example, an attorney must determine whether the government entity is protected by immunity, whether an exception applies, and whether additional defenses could affect the case.
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. However, different deadlines or procedural requirements may apply depending on the circumstances and type of claim.
Government involvement does not automatically shorten the filing deadline. Still, waiting too long can make it harder to preserve evidence and identify the requirements that apply to your case.
What Evidence Helps in a Claim Against COTA?
Evidence showing how the accident happened and whether the bus driver acted negligently can be especially important in a COTA injury claim.
Helpful evidence may include:
- Onboard camera footage: Video may capture the driver’s actions and the moments leading up to the incident.
- COTA incident reports: Official reports may document what happened and identify the people involved.
- Witness statements: Other passengers may provide valuable details about the driver’s conduct.
- Medical records: Treatment records can help establish the nature of your injuries and connect them to the accident.
COTA bus camera footage may be overwritten or deleted under applicable retention policies. Requesting that relevant footage be preserved as soon as possible can help protect important evidence.
What Should You Do After Getting Hurt on a COTA Bus?
If you are injured on a COTA bus, your first priority should be getting medical attention. You should also report the incident and document what happened while the details are still fresh.
Consider taking these steps:
- Report the incident. Notify the driver or contact COTA directly so the incident can be documented.
- Seek medical treatment. Have a medical professional evaluate your injuries, even if they initially seem minor.
- Write down important details. Record the bus number, route, date, time, and location.
- Gather witness information. If possible, get contact information from passengers who saw what happened.
- Speak with an attorney promptly. A lawyer can review whether government immunity applies and help identify relevant filing requirements.
Taking action early may help preserve evidence and give you a clearer understanding of your legal options.
Contact the Columbus Bus Accident Lawyers at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Getting hurt on a public bus can leave you with questions about how to navigate a personal injury claim. Although COTA has certain protections under Ohio law, those protections do not necessarily prevent you from seeking compensation.
Our legal team understands that every accident comes with its own circumstances and challenges. We can review what happened, evaluate potential legal claims, and explain the options available to you.
Contact Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Columbus bus accident lawyer.
We proudly serve clients throughout Franklin County from our Columbus, OH, office and throughout Kanawha County from our Charleston, WV, office.
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Columbus, OH Office
20 E Broad St Suite 1000, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 587-8423
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 39.96270905583009, -82.99956356191063
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Charleston, WV Office
10 Hale St Suite 501, Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 720-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.348382927211865, -81.635109451865
About the Author
Jon Mani is a founding partner and personal injury attorney at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers. With over 20 years of experience representing injured individuals in West Virginia and Ohio, Jon focuses on complex cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, nursing home abuse, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. He is known for his strategic, hands-on approach to litigation and has held leadership roles within the legal community, including serving as President of the West Virginia Association for Justice. Click here to see some of the firm’s most notable case results.
Locations: Charleston, WV, and Columbus, OH
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