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YOU MAY HAVE A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION

Bus Accident Claims

If you have suffered a personal injury caused by a bus accident that was not your fault, you may be able to claim compensation. Your case will be reviewed by our panel of legal firms who will be able to tell you how much you could be owed.

An overview of bus accidents

Bus accidents like most traffic crashes occur when you least expect, often resulting in injuries. Since you were not the driver of the bus, you might wonder if you can claim compensation and how much you can get.

As the driver of a vehicle involved, you might wonder who you can file a claim against if you’re not the at-party. Thankfully, whatever the scenario, you can file a personal injury claim as a bus accident victim.

So, were you involved in a bus accident as a passenger, pedestrian, or motor vehicle driver? Are you suffering physical or emotional losses due to the incident? Read on to learn all you need to know about bus accidents and the claims process.

Understanding bus accidents

Bus accidents occur in one of the following instances:

  • A collision with one or more vehicles
  • Hitting a pedestrian on the street
  • Crashing against standing objects on the road

It’s important to note that, of all the reported road accidents in Great Britain in 2021, only 34 fatalities were bus accidents external link icon white and coaches. So, public bus accidents are relatively rare compared to other road traffic accidents.

However, bus collisions still contribute to road accident casualties in the UK. When these accidents happen due to someone else’s fault, your next step should be seeking compensation for physical and emotional damages.

Did you know?

In 2021 only 34 fatalities in the UK were attributed to bus and coach accidents.

Common injuries in bus accidents

Bus drivers (and companies) owe a duty of care to their passengers. But, for several reasons, accidents occur and cause harm to commuters, pedestrians, and other road users. Some instances where bus accidents lead to injuries include:

  • Collision with another (or multiple) vehicles
  • A bus driver operating the vehicle negligently or recklessly
  • Poor weather conditions affecting visibility on the road
  • Crashing against a standing object or building
  • A bus hitting a pedestrian at a road crossing or the bus stop
  • Overcrowded public transport vehicles
  • Public bus drivers violating traffic rules and regulations
  • The bus company operating faulty or poorly maintained vehicles
  • Unexpected braking or acceleration in a bus with missing or defective safety features

There are many injuries that victims sustain in bus accidents. Some common types are:

  • Back injuries – inflammation of soft tissues, compression fractures.
  • Head injuries – concussions, facial cuts, fractures, eye injuries.
  • Neck injuries – whiplash, cervical spine injuries.
  • Spinal cord injuries – spinal cord damage, nerve damage.
  • Mental and emotional trauma – depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Leg and hand injuries – broken bones, fractured wrists or ankles, knee injuries.

If you suffer any of these injuries in a bus accident that wasn’t your fault, you can sue the guilty parties for damages.

    Can you claim a personal injury after a bus accident?

    Typically, yes. You can make a personal injury claim as a public transport collision victim. This legal action allows you to recover compensation from the at-fault party, especially if treating the resulting wounds or illness cost a lot of money.

    It’s essential to understand how claims work. Before filing for compensation, it must be evident that the accident injuries were due to someone else’s fault. If a negligent driver caused the crash, their third-party insurance would cover your medical treatment bills and lost wages.

    No two accidents are similar. So, calculating how much compensation is possible in an injury claim depends on several factors. Examples are:

    • Nature and severity of accident injuries
    • Costs of medical treatment, including consultations, prescriptions, rehabilitation procedures, etc.
    • Psychological effects like anxiety and depression
    • Damage to personal property and vehicle
    • Potential loss of income or future earning
    • Pain and suffering from injuries
    • Long-term health effects

    How much can I claim?

    Claims can be capped depending on a number of factors such as if the company advising has gone bust and the date they went bust. The table below explains the caps and the different factors.

    InjuryCompensation
    Facial fractures

    £14,900 – £23,950

    Minor back injuries (sprains, soft tissue spasms)

    £7,890 – £12,510 

    Serious hand injury (losing up to 50% capacity)

    £29,000 – £61,910 

    Knee injury (ongoing or long-term)

    £10,960 – £20,880

    Whiplash

    £300 – £6,290

    Note, though, that there’s no guarantee you’ll get precisely what we list. However, these numbers give you an idea of what you could get.

    Proving your case for compensation

    To stand a better chance of receiving compensation, you need to prove the following:

    Existing Duty of Care

    The at-fault party has a legal obligation to act in your best interests. These include obeying all traffic rules and avoiding dangerous road behaviours like road rage or splitting in and out of traffic.

    Breach of Duty

    The at-fault party violated the legal duty of care and harmed you. An example of a breached duty is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or running a red light at an intersection.

    Causation

    You suffered injuries or illness due to the breach of duty. Note that if your injuries cannot be tied to the bus accident, you might be unable to get compensation.

    Damages

    The bus accident must have resulted in damages which can be quantifiable or non-quantifiable. This usually amounts to financial, physical, and emotional losses.

    What happens in the claim process?

    Now you know what you need to prove with your injury claim, the next step is understanding the critical aspects of the bus accident claim process.

    • Firstly, contact a personal injury solicitor to review the facts and determine if you have a legitimate claim.
    • Then, the legal professional will collect the necessary evidence to support your claim.
    • After, the other party gets a notification of your claim.
    • If the at-fault party accepts liability, then an out-of-court settlement occurs. Else, the case goes to court.
    • You’ll receive compensation either through settlement negotiations or a court ruling.

    Did you know?

    Claims Bible process hundreds of Personal Injury claims every month, so you are in safe hands.

    Steps to take after a bus accident

    Often, trained legal advisors investigate and collect helpful evidence when preparing a case. However, you can further strengthen your claim by carrying out due diligence.

    The following steps highlight what to do in a bus accident.

    Prepare a written account

    Record details of the accident as soon as possible. Describe all the events leading up to the incident, either at the scene or after receiving emergency treatment.

    Get witnesses

    Identify and speak to anyone who witnessed the crash. Having more reports to support your story makes it easier to make a successful claim. Also, collect their contact details for future reference.

    Collect evidence

    Collect valuable evidence, like photos and videos of the accident scene. Keep detailed records of the nature and extent of accident injuries and receipts for treatment.

    Report to the Police

    Submit a police report within the 14-day time limit. Also, get a copy of the accident report showing details of the driver(s) and vehicle(s) involved. Inform the police if there’s anyone involved in the accident who fled the scene.

    Inform the bus company

    Notify the bus company about the accident and provide the necessary details — similarly, request for the video footage from the dashcams or traffic cameras.

    If you still haven’t gathered any evidence, there’s no need to panic. Your personal injury solicitor will be able to help.

    Don’t Delay. Check Now.

    Don’t miss out on £100’s or even £1,000’s in compensation you could be entitled to. Starting a claim only takes 5 minutes, so why not do it now?