What to do if you have been involved in a bus or coach accident

Buses and coaches offer, for the most part, a safe and economic way to travel. Bus and coach drivers are trained and tested to a high standard and their vehicles must be well-maintained when in use. 

Unfortunately, over the years our road collision experts have met and acted for many people who have suffered a serious injury in a road traffic collision, as a passenger on a bus or coach, a pedestrian, a cyclist or a driver of another vehicle. 

These are some of the most common questions we get asked about bus or coach accident compensation claims. 

What causes bus and coach accidents? 

One of the most obvious causes of personal injury on a bus or coach is a crash with another vehicle or object. Such a road accident could have been caused by bad weather conditions, an error by the bus driver or another motorist, or a mechanical problem with one of the vehicles involved in the road traffic accident. 

Another common cause of personal injury sustained on a bus or coach is a slip, trip or fall. Such accidents could include people falling while stepping on or off the vehicle, tripping in the gangway, or losing their balance if the vehicle abruptly accelerates or slows down. 

Thompsons Solicitors’ personal injury lawyers have also secured personal injury compensation for pedestrians and other road users who have been injured after being hit by a bus or coach, or in instances where people have suffered injuries while in a bus station or waiting at a bus shelter.

Can I make a road traffic compensation claim for injuries I sustained in a bus accident? 

If you have suffered a personal injury as a result of a bus or coach accident, whether as a passenger, a pedestrian or the driver of another vehicle, then you should seek professional advice as soon as possible as to whether you have a valid compensation claim. With a few exceptions, you must make a personal injury compensation claim within three years of the injury occurring. 

To progress a personal injury compensation claim, Thompsons Solicitors’ road traffic accident specialists would need evidence to show that someone else was at fault for your accident. This could include a police report, witness accounts or photographs of the accident in question. 

To discuss your case in more detail, call us on 0800 0224 224, or complete our online personal injury compensation claim form. We will be honest with you about the chances of your claim being successful and do not take on cases we do not believe have a reasonable chance of success. 

What happens if I have been injured in a bus or coach accident and the driver at fault is uninsured or cannot be traced? 

If you have been injured by a driver without insurance, or if you were hurt in a hit-and-run incident, then you may still be able to claim personal injury compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). However, the MIB has its own criteria that you must meet before it will consider your case - Thompsons Solicitors can help you make a claim to the MIB, so get in touch with our experts today to begin your personal injury claim.

Are there any charities or groups that can support me through my bus or coach accident compensation claim? 

Yes. Thompsons Solicitors is proud to stand with several groups and organisations like RoadPeace that support people who have been injured in road traffic accidents and campaigns alongside them for better road safety. If you need rehabilitation, or physical or emotional support as a result of your injury, our personal injury solicitors will put you in touch with experts who can help.

How much time do I have to make a personal injury claim for my bus accident injury? 

You can make a personal injury claim for compensation up to three years from the date of the accident. There are rarely exceptions to this rule, however, so it’s always best to consult a personal injury specialist at Thompsons Solicitors as soon as possible.

How do I avoid a bus or coach accident? 

While there are some road safety risks you cannot control, such as poor weather or vehicle maintenance, there are certainly things you can do as a bus or coach passenger to help avoid suffering a personal injury while travelling on a bus or coach. These include:

• Choose a seat quickly and sit down as soon as possible. If you take too long to do so then the bus could start to move unexpectedly, potentially causing you to fall.
• While walking up and down the gangway of the bus, hold onto any safety rails available and be aware of trip hazards on the floor. Such hazards could include other people's baggage or their feet.
• Remember that kerb heights differ, and there may be quite a large step from the ground to the bus. Fortunately, many buses are fitted with a device that allows the driver to lower the vehicle floor if required, as well as with a ramp for wheelchair or buggy access, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
• Use the seatbelts provided at all times, and sit small children next to the window rather than the walkway so that you can protect them.
  
  

To begin your road traffic accident compensation claim today, call Thompsons Solicitors’ personal injury experts on 0800 0 224 224, or complete our free online Start a Claim form and one of our personal injury solicitors will be in touch with you within 24 hours to discuss your case further.