Bus Accident  Compensation: Your Right to Claim

Thousands of people use public transport every day, and like most methods of transportation, the risk of being injured whilst travelling on a bus is relatively high. Many pedestrians and other road users are also at risk of accidents involving busses and may be able to claim if the bus driver was at fault for the accident. If you have been injured in an accident involving a bus, contact Beacon Law to find out if you could be entitled to make a claim for bus accident compensation.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

There are many different types and causes of bus or coach accidents. Some of the most common causes of bus accident compensation claims we have dealt with include:

• Pedestrians being hit by a bus due to the negligence of the bus driver
• Road users being involved in collisions with a bus or coach
• Bus users suffering injuries due to an emergency stop or harsh braking
• Slips, trips and falls caused by wet floors, spillages, or rubbish left on the floor of the bus
• Bus users sustaining personal injuries due to road traffic accident collisions with other vehicles on the road
• Injuries to bus users caused by defects and potholes on the road
• Bus users sustaining injuries as the result of them getting caught in doors closing too early
• Poor maintenance of the bus
• Defective equipment on the bus
• Accidents caused by the bus driver accelerating too quickly before allowing bus users to find a seat

Who to Make Your Bus Accident Compensation Claim Against

In order to successfully claim compensation for a bus accident claim, you must be able to prove that someone has been negligent and that their negligence has caused your accident and subsequent injuries.

In the vast majority of cases, claims for bus accident compensation will be brought against the bus company as the driver of the bus will have a duty of care to ensure that bus users are safe whilst travelling. If the bus company can prove that they had taken all reasonable steps to prevent your accident, you claim may be unsuccessful, even if you have sustained injuries.

If the accident was caused as the result of the driver’s negligence, a defect or wet floor on the bus, the claim would most likely be brought against the bus company. There will; however, be some cases where the driver of the bus had no control over the accident, and therefore, the claim will have to be brought against someone else. Examples of this include:

• Where a collision was caused by the negligence of another driver – in this case, the claim should be brought against the other driver.
• Where an accident was caused by something external, such as a pothole in the road – You may be able to make a claim against the council or local authority if a defective road surface was the cause of your accident.

In these cases, it is essential to figure out who the negligent party may be so that we can bring a claim against the correct party.

Making a Claim for Bus Accident Compensation

If you have been injured in an accident involving a bus, you should report the incident to the bus driver and make a further report to the company. You should ensure that you make a note of the time of your accident, the bus route, and obtain the bus registration number if possible.

It may also be useful if you could obtain the name of the bus driver, and details of any witnesses to your accident. If you were able to take photographs at the scene of the accident, these would be useful as evidence of your accident.

As with all accidents, you should seek medical attention to have your injuries assessed and treated as soon as possible. If you have not received medical attention, we may be unable to prove that you were injured as a result of the accident. Photographs of your injuries may also assist your claim.

If you would like to make a personal injury claim for bus accident compensation, contact Beacon Law to speak to one of our specialist personal injury solicitors about making a claim on a no win no fee basis. Details on the claims process can also be found on our website.

If you are unsure as to whether you should make a claim for bus accident compensation, have a read of our recent article.

There is a three-year time limit on making a personal injury claim (although this can be extended in certain circumstances), so it is best to initiate the claim soon after the date of the bus accident. When you are ready to speak to someone about making a bus accident compensation claim, get in touch with Beacon Law using the contact details below, or by filling in the form on our “contact us” page.

How Much Bus Accident Compensation Will You Receive?

We are unable to make a valuation on your injuries from the beginning of the claim. Your compensation award will be split into general damages for your injuries and special damages for any additional losses.

The level of general damages you receive will be based on your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The valuation of your general damages will be based on the type and severity of the injury sustained. Personal Injury compensation can be anything from £1,000 to £100,000 (or more) depending on the seriousness of the injuries. It is therefore very difficult to assess the level of damages you may be entitled to without first assessing your injuries and your case in detail.

You may be required to attend an appointment with an independent medical expert who will assess your injuries and provide a detailed report on the severity of your injuries and any further treatment which may be required.

You will also be able to make a claim for special damages which covers any additional losses you sustained as a result of the accident. These can include:

• Loss of earnings for any time taken off work as a result of the sustained injuries.
• Medical treatment costs.
• Travel costs for journeys to and from appointments.
• Compensation for additional care and assistance required as a result of your injures – either paid or unpaid.

How Long Will the Claims Process Last? 

The amount of time taken to settle a bus accident compensation claim varies greatly depending on the case itself and the complexities of the case. The majority of claims can last anywhere for six months to 2-3 years to settle. Less complex claims, with less serious injuries, usually take less time to settle.

We can request interim payments from the Defendant throughout the progress of the case as long as they have admitted liability for your accident and injuries. These are paid in advance of your settlement figure or the final amount which will be agreed. They are usually smaller payments and can be paid to cover the costs of your needs, such as rehabilitation costs.

When a final amount is agreed between the parties, the interim payment which you have received throughout your case will be deducted from the final amount you receive.

How can Beacon Law Assist with your Bus Accident Compensation Claim?

 Beacon Law is a Manchester law firm with a great reputation for providing exceptional service to all clients. Our specialist solicitors and legal professionals have vast experience in handling all types of personal injury claims. We have experience in dealing with bus accident compensation claims and all other types of road traffic accidents and occupiers liability claims. We also provide assistance to claimants who have been involved in an accident at work.

We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and can provide you with the legal advice you require as your personal injury lawyer. We will provide assistance throughout your case and act only within your instructions in progressing the matter.

If you require our assistance or wish to discuss your case based on its own facts, please complete the online contact form on our website, and a specialist Solicitor will contact you. Alternatively, you may call us on 0330 1332 857 to discuss your potential case.