The public transport system in the UK has a high standard when it comes to health and safety on buses, and the government has also put measures into place to ensure that bus passengers are as safe as possible whilst riding buses. However, that does not mean that accidents do not occur, and accidents can happen on buses as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Bus companies have a duty of care towards all passengers who use their services by law, and passengers are entitled to be safe from harm throughout their bus journey.

If you have suffered an injury from a bus or coach accident as a result of negligence from a driver or bus company, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Contact Wildwood Legal today to get in touch with one of our personal injury solicitors, who will be able to determine your eligibility and explain the legal claim process clearly.

 

Common causes of bus accidents

 

There are a variety of bus accidents that we deal with that lead to bus accident claims, some of which include:

 

· Being involved in an accident when the bus you are riding crashes

· Being hit by a bus whilst waiting at a bus shelter or bus stop

· You are injured while getting off or on the bus because the bus driver was in a hurry to drive off, or they closed the door on you before you were able to get in

· Being hit by a bus whilst driving your own vehicle

· You are thrown out of your seat as a result of the bus drivers poor driving or other road users

 

If you have been injured in a bus due to one of the accidents listed above as well as a variety of others, you should think about making claiming compensation through a bus injury claim.

 

Common injuries related to bus accidents

 

A public transport injury varies greatly. Injuries sustained in an accident can include:

 

Whiplash – You may have suffered whiplash after a bus collides with another vehicle.

Head injuries – Trauma to the head can be extremely serious. Depending on the extent of your injury and the force of the accident, it can cause long-lasting brain damage or concussion.

Broken bones – Broken legs, arms, shoulders, and hips can be caused by the huge amount of force from bus accidents.

Spinal injuries – Spinal injuries can be extremely severe due to the loss of mobility or even paralysis.

Internal bleeding – Internal bleeding can have serious implications and can be fatal if it is not treated immediately after the bus accident has occurred.

Cut and scrapes – Cuts and scrapes can be sustained from broken glass and debris after the bus crashed. They can be particularly severe depending on whereabouts on the body they are located.

 

Along with suffering a physical injury, you may also suffer from mental and emotional effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which can make it extremely hard to resume your daily activities.

 

What should I do following a bus accident?

 

After a bus accident, the most important thing is to remain calm and assess your injuries. If your injuries are particularly severe, you should receive medical attention from a medical professional so that you can receive the necessary first aid you require. Getting a formal diagnosis and treatment at a hospital will also establish your injuries which can strengthen your accident compensation claim.

If you are able to do so, you should try to take photographs or videos of the scene showing what caused the accident and the extent of your injuries. You should also try to get the contact details of other passengers or bystanders who witnessed the accident because their statements can support your bus accident claim.

 

What is required for bus accident claims?

 

Bus accident claims may require evidence to support them; therefore, you should try to get as much evidence as possible to help prove the injuries you endured and that the bus accident was in no way your fault. Below are some of the pieces of evidence that you should attempt to collect to support your claim:

· Photographs of the accident scene

· Any receipts of costs that you have had to pay due to the accident

· Photographs of injuries that you have sustained, these photographs should be taken as soon as possible

· A letter from work that verifies the number of hours that you have been unable to work and how much income has been lost/pay slips showing your time off work

· CCTV/ dashcam evidence of the accident occurring (if possible)

· A medical report following a medical examination – this will be arranged by us when liability has been established

All of the evidence listed above could be required to strengthen your case; therefore, the more pieces of evidence you collect, the stronger your claim for compensation becomes.

 

What can be recovered from bus accident claims?

 

Bus claims compensation is calculated in the same way as other personal injury claims. The final sum will take into account:

Loss of earnings – if you had to take time off work or can no longer work due to your injuries, you should be able to recover the full period you were unable to work and expenses you’ve incurred due to the accident.

Pain and suffering – Any trauma, pain, or psychological suffering you have endured should be compensated.

Loss of amenity – Injuries that prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed can lead to mental health issues such as depression. It is the law to ensure that compensation covers any loss of amenity.

Treatment (physiotherapy), home care, rehabilitation, or counselling that you will have needed now or in the future.

Other financial losses – Reimbursement of medical costs and transportation costs to and from your medical treatment, mobility or support equipment, or any alterations required to your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries.

 

How will my bus accident claims compensation be calculated?

 

Compensation awarded through personal injury claims is made up of two types of compensation; in legal terms, we call these general damages and special damages.

 

General Damages – This is the amount you will receive for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. To calculate this amount, we look at previous cases which are similar to yours, together with guidelines that are issued to Judges who decide the outcome of such claims if they go to Court. Your case will be valued on the basis of your injuries as described by suitably qualified medical professionals.

Special Damages – These are any direct financial losses that you may have suffered as a result of your injuries. Typically, these may include loss of earnings up to the settlement, loss of earnings in the future or the costs of care provided to you.

If the Defendant admits liability for your case, you may also be able to receive an interim payment, meaning that you could receive a part-payment of compensation during litigation. These payments are made by the other side before a case is settled in order to aid you to fund a number of vital things, such as assistance in daily living or urgent medical care.

 

Time limits for bus accident claims

 

The general rule on time limits for making a bus accident claim is that you have three years from the date of the injury to have either settled your claim or started court proceedings once the accident on the bus happened.

The three-year deadline begins on the date that the bus accident occurred or from the date on which you realised that your injuries were associated with your accident on the bus.

The three-year time limit for claiming compensation does not apply to those under 18; however, it will come into effect after their 18th birthday. There is also no time limit for individuals that lack the mental capacity to make a claim themselves.

 

How much do bus accident claims cost?

 

We will always be 100% transparent about what our charges are, and if we take on your case, we will almost always do so on a Conditional Fee Agreement (also known as a no win, no fee agreement).

This means that if you do not win your case, you do not pay us any fees at all. If you have a successful claim, we take a small percentage of your compensation, which we will agree with you beforehand, to cover our costs.

We will never ask you to sign anything until you are completely happy with what it is that we are proposing.

 

How can Wildwood Legal assist with bus accident claims?

 

At Wildwood Legal, our core strength is in personal injury claims. Our personal injury lawyers are experienced in assisting claimants with bus accident claims. We aim to give you

not only quality aid but flexibility and clarity as we know that these qualities are just as important.

We can provide you with legal representation and advice about the personal injury claim that you may be entitled to. We have acted for people from all walks of life who have been injured in bus accidents.

Our law firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority; therefore, we provide everything that is needed to meet their high standards, meaning that we are a trusted law firm. We offer services to individuals located in England and Wales.

With 25 years of experience in personal injury law, we can help you with your claim. We aim to get the maximum compensation amounts for our clients.

Our aim is to obtain a great outcome for your case, we value the opinion of our clients, and we will always listen to you and take on board what you say. Most importantly, we are on your side.

If you are considering making a claim, get in contact with us either by email info@winstonsolicitors.co.uk or by calling us on 0113 320 5000.

Visit our page for more information on road traffic accident claims.