Every day, thousands of people in the UK rely on buses and coaches to get around. While typically a safe and reliable mode of transport, accidents can happen – bus crashes, sudden stops or a poorly maintained vehicle can cause injuries or even fatalities. If you have been injured on a bus, compensation might be owed to you.
Making a bus accident claim with Injury Lawyers 4u is the first step towards justice. What’s more, our no-win, no-fee guarantee lets you start a case without fear of expensive upfront legal fees. To learn more or make a claim, get in touch.
Can I claim compensation for a bus accident?
Anyone involved in a bus accident can make a claim. However, your case will look very different depending on which role you played during the accident:
- Passenger – You might have been injured by a crash, sudden stop or being struck by falling luggage.
- Pedestrian or cyclist – You might have been injured by a collision with the bus.
- Driver – You might have been injured by colliding with another vehicle or crashing into something.
In all the above cases, you must prove that someone else’s negligence was at fault for the bus accident, be it the bus driver, another vehicle or something else entirely.
Common causes of bus accidents
While you might not expect public transport injury claims to be very common, in 2024 there were 1,390 reported road deaths in the UK, with a significant number involving buses and coaches. This makes the mode of transport much more dangerous than most might think.
No matter what position you hold when riding the bus, understanding the most common causes of accidents might help you in a future bus crash compensation claim:
- Collisions – This can put other drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians at risk.
- Hazardous road conditions – This can cause swerving or sudden stops, risking passengers.
- Sudden braking – This can put the passengers inside and following motorists at risk.
- Poor vehicle maintenance – The bus must be maintained or it risks everyone on the road if it breaks down or loses control.
All the above can be caused or made worse by your bus driver’s negligence. And reckless driving, speeding or distractions can double the danger when a road traffic accident occurs.
Who is responsible for a bus accident?
In order to succeed in a bus or coach accident claim, you must prove who is responsible. Potentially responsible parties include:
- Bus company – This would be the case if the accident resulted from driver error or inadequate vehicle maintenance.
- Local authority – This would be the case if poor road conditions or inadequate signage contributed to your accident.
- Other road users – This would be the case if a pedestrian, cyclist or other driver caused the accident.
Once you have determined who is at fault, your bus accident personal injury claim will have a party to notify of your claim. This is the first step in starting a case. If you need assistance establishing the wrongful party, get in touch with Injury Lawyers 4u.
How much compensation could I receive?
Compensation for bus accidents and other personal injury claims is split between general damages and special damages. General damages account for the pain and suffering your injuries have caused, whereas special damages cover financial losses like medical expenses, travel costs and lost earnings.
But how much compensation for a bus accident? It really depends on your injuries. Compensation for minor injuries with a quick recovery might range from £1,000 to £3,000, while severe injuries with long-term effects could result in payouts that exceed £50,000.
For a better idea of your estimated general damages, use our compensation calculator.
What evidence do I need to make a claim?
In order to prove that negligence was at play in road traffic accident claims involving buses, you must have evidence to back it up. These are the best pieces of evidence you should look for:
- Medical reports – These will officially confirm your bus accident related injury.
- Accident reports – If the emergency services were involved, ask for a copy of their report.
- Photographic evidence – Photos of the accident scene can help back up your claim.
- Witness statements – If anyone saw your accident outside of the parties involved, they can support your claim.
- Video evidence – CCTV or dashcam footage from the bus or another party involved might definitely prove what happened.
- Financial records – If you have paperwork that proves any financial losses, like lost earnings and medical costs, this can help boost your special damages compensation amount.
Whether you’re the driver, a fellow road user or a bus passenger, accident claims must be backed up with proof. If you are struggling to find evidence or are unsure where to start, our expert solicitors can help.
No-win, no-fee bus accident claims
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means you won’t have to pay any upfront legal costs unless your claim is successful. This conditional fee agreement makes pursuing compensation accessible for anyone, no matter your financial standing.
How do I start a bus accident claim?
It couldn’t be easier to start a bus accident claim with Injury Lawyers 4u. All you need to do is follow these steps:
- Get a medical diagnosis – Visit a GP or A&E to check out your injuries.
- Contact a specialist solicitor – Get in touch with Injury Lawyers 4u for expert legal advice and our no-win, no-fee guarantee.
- Gather evidence – Collect medical reports, CCTV footage, photos and witness statements to support your claim and prove the party at fault.
Once you share your case with us, we will contact the responsible party and notify them of the case against them. From here, we will negotiate for an early settlement, or take the case to court and aim for mandated compensation instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to make a claim?
Typically, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, exceptions can apply, so you should seek legal advice as quickly as possible.
Can I claim if the bus company denies responsibility?
If evidence supports the bus company’s negligence, you can still pursue a claim if they deny responsibility. Our solicitors will work to establish liability with evidence or take them to court.
What if my injury is minor?
It doesn’t matter if your bus related injury is minor or severe, you can still pursue a compensation claim.
Do I need to go to court?
We aim to settle most claims out of court, as it means higher legal fees for you if you succeed – but we will still represent you if needed.
Start your bus accident claim today
If you or someone you love has been involved in a bus or coach accident, our no-win, no-fee bus accident claims could get you back on your feet and compensated fairly. At Injury Lawyers 4u, our team of solicitors will work with you without any upfront fees and aim for the fairest compensation possible. Get in touch today to start a claim.