Your Complete Guide to Filing a Bus Accident Claim

Starting a bus accident claim might feel overwhelmingly difficult at first, but it really doesn’t have to. With CaseCraft AI, you can properly get organised on your small claim, upload your evidence, and stay on track, all in one place.

Bus Accident Claim Explained

Bus accident claims are typically legal actions taken on the basis of seeking compensation following injuries suffered and financial losses as a result of bus or coach incidents. They shape themselves under the umbrella of UK personal injury law, and often their most common name is a bus accident injury compensation claim.

You may be entitled to compensation if:

• You are a bus passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or other driver.
• Another party’s negligence caused the incident.
• Personal injuries resulted from the bus accident.

Your bus accident claim must demonstrate that:

• A party is responsible for your bus accident (the bus driver, the transport company, and the other driver who is a defendant).
• Failed to uphold their care obligations under UK traffic and negligence statutes.
• The breach has resulted in your injuries.

If you are successful in your bus accident compensation claim, you can receive compensation for a minimum of two different categories:

• General damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Special damages for your financial losses (medical expenses, transport costs, or loss of income due to absence from work, etc.).

In the UK, there is a cut-off period to commence your insurance claim for a bus accident. You normally have three years from the date of the accident, or from the date you first realised your injury was related to the accident, to start your legal action.

Acting promptly remains advisable despite these allowances. CaseCraft AI ensures timely action by walking you through each step, organising paperwork, and maintaining your schedule to avoid missing crucial deadlines during your bus accident compensation claim.

What are the Main Causes of Bus Accident Claims?

There are many reasons that lead to bus and coach accidents, and understanding these reasons will help you determine liability to support your claim. Bus accidents can involve:

• Driver Negligence: The majority of accidents happen due to the negligence of either the bus driver or the car driver.
• Other road Users: Bus accidents can occur from the involvement of third parties.
• Poor roads or Weather: Bus accidents can also be caused by bad weather or bad roads. Very insecure weather conditions may cause accidents. Also, the bus may skid on ice, or the driver may lose control of the bus after hitting a deep pothole.
• Mechanical Issues: Equipment failures like brake malfunctions, tyre problems, or steering defects cause crashes.
• Passenger Injuries on Board: Abrupt stopping of the bus (or any dangerous activities inside the bus) can lead to passengers falling.

Who Can File a Claim for a Bus Accident?

Who can make a bus accident claim? If you were injured as a result of a bus or coach accident and someone else was mainly at fault and you were injured, you may be able to claim. It’s not just passengers; other parties can also claim: 

• Bus and Coach Passengers: If you were injured as a result of travelling on the bus or coach as a passenger, it is likely that you can make a bus passenger accident claim. Whether the bus crashed or you were simply harmed as a result of the bus making an emergency stop, you will be able to make a claim either against the bus company or another driver, depending on who was at fault. 
• Drivers and Passengers in Other Vehicles: Drivers and passengers in other vehicles: If you were involved in an accident with a bus (as a driver or passenger in a car, taxi, or motorcycle) and the bus driver was partly to blame, or chiefly to blame, you may be entitled to make a claim. 
• Pedestrians and Cyclists: If you were injured as a result of being hit by a bus or forced into a dangerous situation as a result of the actions of the bus, you might make a claim against the bus operator or driver if they acted negligently. 

• Bus Staff and Drivers: If you are a bus operator or driver who has been harmed in an accident involving a bus caused by the actions of some other third party, you will be able to claim against the third party.
• Family Members: If someone was seriously injured or died in a bus accident, their immediate relatives (spouse, child, or parent) may claim compensation for bereavement, funeral expenses, and loss of dependency.

Important: To obtain a bus accident injury compensation claim, someone else must have caused the crash. Passengers generally qualify. If you were the driver, cyclist, or pedestrian, you would probably need evidence, which can be witness statements or video footage. In addition, even if you were partly to blame, you can still receive an award, just a lesser amount.

Why Do I Need a Solicitor After a Road Traffic Accident?

You don’t have to hire a solicitor to make a bus accident injury compensation claim, but in many instances, it is sensible, especially where your injuries are serious, or where liability is uncertain.

What a Solicitor Can Do for You

• Guide the Process: A solicitor knows the way claims operate, from collecting evidence to various deadlines. This mitigates errors and ensures nothing is overlooked.
• Dealing with Insurers: Insurance companies don’t always play fair. A solicitor will negotiate on your behalf and push back if they provide a low offer or stall your claim.
• Make Sure You Receive Full Compensation: This is not only about covering hospital bills. A solicitor will take into account loss of wages, long-term care, and how your injury affects your life, so you don’t end up short.
• No Win, No Fee: Most personal injury solicitors work on a no-win, no-fee basis. If your case is unsuccessful, you don’t pay. If your case is successful, usually their fee is capped at around 25% of your compensation.
• Less Stress for You: When you’re recovering, it’s helpful to have someone manage your case, from talking to insurers to preparing documents or going to court if needed.

Not all bus accident claims need a solicitor. If your injuries are minor and the claim is under £2.000, you may be able to use CaseCraft AI, an online tool that helps you manage the process yourself, from gathering evidence to submitting your case.

When You Might Not Require One

For small claims with minor injuries, you may often take the process by yourself, without needing legal help.

That’s where CaseCraft AI can help. It gives you the tools to:

• Complete your claim form
• Upload and organise your evidence
• Record important dates
• Understand what is required to include

What Should I Do if I’ve Been Injured in a Bus or Coach Accident?

If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of a bus or coach accident, you might be unsure how to claim after a bus accident. There are a few steps that you can take early on that will protect your well-being and support your claim. Here’s what to do:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Health is the number one priority. Call 999 for an ambulance if needed, and get a medical check even for seemingly minor injuries. Regardless of the seriousness of the injury, it is advisable to seek medical care.

2. Report the Accident: The accident must be reported to the police, particularly if there is an injury involved. The police will compile an accident report. When speaking with the police and you are required to provide a statement, make sure you are honest and telling the truth, but do not accept responsibility for what occurred

3. Collect Information on the Scene: If you are able, gather information about the crash. You should write down the bus’s registration number, the name of the bus company, and the bus driver’s contact details.  Ask pedestrians or passengers their names and numbers if they could be witnesses. 

4. Keep Records of Expenses and Effects: keep all receipts and records of all expenses from the incident, like medication expenses, travel expenses to appointments, and repair bills. This will help show you the total cost of the event.

5. Contact a Solicitor: Contact a qualified personal injury solicitor as soon as you can. Most solicitors will deal with you on a ‘no-win no-fee’ basis, and will offer an initial consultation for no charge, so you have nothing to lose.

How Much Will My Bus Accident Claim Be Worth?

There’s no fixed amount for a bus passenger accident claim; the final figure depends on the details of your case. Here’s what affects the value:

• Injury Severity: Serious injuries often lead to higher payouts. Minor ones result in smaller amounts.
• Expenses You Incurred: Lost income, medical bills, travel costs – anything you stuck your hand in your pocket for because of the accident can be included.
• Impact on Your Life: If your injury has taken away from your enjoyment of life as before, this will also be factored in.
• Shared Negligence: You may have reduced your final amount if you were partly at fault.

Not sure what you could claim? Try CaseCraft AI’s Money Claims Map to find out. CaseCraft AI also helps you stay on track, guiding you through the claims process, organising your paperwork, and helping you understand what you’re entitled to online. Start your bus accident claim today with CaseCraft AI. 

Note: This content is for general guidance only and is not legal advice.