Introduction to Bus and Coach Accidents
About Bus and Coach Accidents
Travelling by bus or coach in the UK is generally a very safe way to travel. Drivers who carry passengers are trained and tested to a very high standard and the buses and coaches they drive are generally well maintained.
Accidents do happen however and if you are injured whilst travelling on a bus or coach you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim.
We can also help in cases where pedestrians or other road users are injured after a collision with a bus or where people suffer injuries in a bus station or bus shelter.
For more information about how Thompsons Solicitors may be able to help you, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms. If you are a trade union member you should contact your union in the first instance.
Causes of Bus and Coach Accidents
How you may be injured on a Bus or Coach
There are many different ways that people are injured whilst travelling on a bus or coach either as a driver or a passenger.
The most obvious way which comes to mind is a collision of some kind where the bus or coach is involved in a crash with another vehicle or object. A bus or coach crash can happen for many different reasons including adverse weather conditions, driver error by the bus driver or another motorist or a mechanical problem with one of the vehicles involved.
Another common way to be injured on a bus or coach is to fall in the gangway of the bus or coach whilst making your way to a seat or to the front of the bus to leave. Falls in the gangway of the bus can be caused by litter which has been dropped, spillages on the floor or by the movement of the bus itself.
If you have been injured whilst travelling on a bus or coach you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation. To discuss your case in more detail call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
Stay safe whilst travelling on a Bus or Coach
How to avoid injuries on a Bus or Coach
There are many different things you can do as a passenger to try and stay safe whilst travelling on a bus or coach.
1) Be aware that due to differing kerb heights, there may be quite a large step to make to board the bus itself although some buses are now fitted with a device which allows the driver to lower the floor if required and a ramp for wheelchair or buggy access.
2) Choose a seat quickly. If there are seats available towards the front of the bus, choose one of those rather than walking to the rear as the driver could pull away from the stop while you are still trying to choose a seat causing you to fall.
3) While walking up and down the gangway of the bus be alert for any tripping hazards on the floor such as other people's baggage or feet and make use of the safety poles which may prevent you from falling if the bus or coach makes a sudden movement.
4) Make use of any seatbelts provided on the bus or coach and sit small children away from the gangway.
If you have been injured as a result of an accident on a bus or coach, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim. For more information about how Thompsons Solicitors may be able to help you, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.