In most cases, using public transport is safe, but things can go wrong. If the bus, train or coach you’re travelling on is involved in a crash or makes a sudden stop, the potential for injury is there.
According to the Department for Transport, 1,505 people were killed or injured on buses or coaches in 2020. This shows these vehicles are vulnerable to being caught up in accidents, irrespective of whether or not they have been recklessly driven. The risks to passengers in public transport accidents are often heightened because, in many cases, buses and trains don’t have seat belts.
Public transport injuries are the result of accidents involving buses, coaches, taxis, light rail systems – such as the London Underground - and trains. Examples of accidents on public transport include:
Drivers have a duty to ensure the safety of all passengers, although if making a claim, the transport company is liable as it employs the drivers. It’s also responsible for the maintenance of its fleet of vehicles. Any lack of care involved can also make it responsible.
In the event of a crash where a car driver is at fault for the accident, they are the ones to claim compensation from.
If your accident happened while you were abroad, you can also take a look at our car accidents abroad page.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from public transport accidents. The laws around compensation for whiplash have changed. You can now receive £240 for a case lasting up to three months, while a two-year injury could see you receive £4,215.
Other injuries will see different compensation amounts. For example, a minor head injury, possibly coming from a knock after a sudden stop, could see compensation ranging between £1,940 and £11,200. It’s hard to say how long it’ll be before the claim is resolved until one of our solicitors has carried out an initial investigation.
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Yes, if you’re a passenger who has been involved in a collision on the road and suffered injuries through no fault of your own, then you’re entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Yes, you can make a claim if you were hit by an uninsured driver.
With the help of our panel of solicitors, you can claim through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).
Backed by every motor insurer in the UK, the MIB is a scheme set up to help compensate victims of accidents caused by uninsured and untraced motorists.
It depends on the type and severity of any injuries sustained.
For those inflicted with minor brain or head injuries, they could receive between £1,940 and £11,200. At the other end of the scale, severe leg injuries could see compensation between £48,080 and £119,210, whereas loss of an arm may mean an award of between £84,310 to upwards of £120,270.
For further examples see our compensation calculator.
Generally speaking there is a limit of three years to start a claim, starting from the date of your accident. If you were under the age of 18 when you had your accident, you have until your 21st birthday.
The length of time it will take to make your claim depends on your individual circumstances.
Every case is different, so it’s very difficult to say at the early stages how long the process will be from start to finish.
Once your solicitor has completed their initial investigations into your case, they will be in a better position to advise you on how long the process is likely to take.
To give you a very general idea:
For a personal injury claim like minor whiplash, for example, the process could be completed in about six months. But in more complex cases, such as claims involving a trip, slip or fall, it could take over a year to be settled. The process could also be longer if the defendant disputes your claim.
Claiming for a work accident could be between six and nine months. But if the injury is more severe, or there are legal complexities, it could take longer.
Medical negligence cases tend to take longer as they can be complex with multiple factors and evidence. A rough estimate would be 18-26 months.
You can contact one of our advisors to discuss your situation.
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