What is a bus accident claim?

Buses and coaches remain popular means of travel, whether it’s commuting into the city centre, going to school or taking a trip. Those who operate the services have a responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone on board, and more often than not, journeys are completed without incident.

Unfortunately, however, accidents do happen, no matter how well intentioned the driver may have been. This could include collisions with other vehicles or road users, driver negligence, or even accidents on board, such as passengers slipping due to unclean floors, or falling because of the driver swerving or driving recklessly.

While relatively rare, these accidents can cause serious injuries to passengers, and it's important that those affected are able to get the help and support they need to ensure they’re able to recover quickly.

If you’ve been injured in a bus or coach accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a bus accident claim.

What are the most common causes for bus accidents?

There are many things that could cause an accident on a bus or coach, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be something external – that is, it doesn’t need to be a road traffic collision to be classed as a bus accident.

A bus accident, or coach accident, is any incident that causes injury to passengers or the driver. The most common causes we see for these incidents include:

• Collisions or incidents involving other road users, such as cars, cyclists or pedestrians
• Collisions with other objects, such as lampposts or walls
• Reckless driving by the bus or coach drivers (for instance, accelerating too quickly or swerving and causing passengers to fall)
• Passengers falling or slipping in standing only room

Who is eligible to make a bus accident claim?

Anyone who has been injured as a result of a bus accident that was not your fault – whether you are a passenger, pedestrian or the driver – could be eligible to claim compensation for their injuries.

To make a claim successfully, you’ll have to be able to prove that the accident was not your fault, and that the injuries you have suffered were caused by the accident. To assist in making your claim, it is helpful if you can collect as much information from the scene of the accident as you can. Some useful information would include:

• Your bus ticket or, if you used contactless payment, a statement or receipt that shows when you travelled;
• The driver’s name and the bus number;
• Any photographic or CCTV evidence that shows where the accident took place (if it was on board, this should include the area in which you hurt yourself, such as any railings you collided with or evidence of how you fell);
• The information of any potential witnesses.

What should I do if I’ve been injured in a bus or coach accident?

If you’ve been injured in a bus or coach accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. In many cases, the emergency services will be called to respond, so make sure to alert someone to your injuries as soon as possible. If they have not attended the scene for whatever reason, be sure to seek medical attention from your GP or hospital if necessary.

Claiming compensation for your injuries may not be at the forefront of your mind as you begin your recovery from your injuries. However, doing so can help support you and your loved ones through the recovery process, whether that’s by providing access to rehabilitation and treatment, or covering any financial losses.

To learn more about how making a claim can help you move forward after a bus accident, speak to our friendly, expert team of bus accident lawyers by calling 0330 041 5869 or contacting us online.

How much will my bus accident claim be worth?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a bus accident injury can vary significantly. As you might expect, it will largely depend upon the extent of the injuries you have suffered, and how long a medical expert expects it will take you to recover.

When you make a bus accident claim, the type of compensation you can claim falls into two categories; general damages, and special damages.

‘General damages’ refers to any physical or mental injuries caused by the accident. The amount you receive will be determined by the extent of the injury caused, and by how quickly you can be realistically expected to recover, according to a medical expert.

‘Special damages’ refers to any other expenses or losses you may incur because of your injuries. For example, it can include the loss of any wages if you have been unable to work, any physiotherapy or other treatments you may need to pay for, or any adaptations to your home that may be required if you’ve been seriously injured.

Why choose Slater and Gordon

We understand that the impact of an accident can be devastating for you and your loved one and can make day-to-day life difficult throughout your recovery. That is why we're here to help.

Our team is consistently ranked highly in reputable independent legal directories, such as Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500, and are among the best and most experienced injury lawyers in the country. We work closely with medical professionals to ensure each and every one of our clients receives the best possible outcome, both in terms of finances and future care. We also have an in-house rehabilitation coordinator, who is on hand to provide immediate support, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

To start your claim, speak to a member of our team by contacting us online or calling 0330 041 5869.