Public Transport Accident Claims | Road Traffic Accident

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According to the Department for Transport, there were 3,085 casualties on buses and coaches in 2019. 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.

What are public transport injuries?

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:

Cuts, bruises and broken bones in the aftermath of a train crash
Suffering whiplash following a collision between a bus and a car
Falling in a bus carriage due to reckless driving
Being hurt after the bus/coach driver pulls away while a passenger steps on or off the vehicle

Who can I claim against?

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 render it liable.

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.

More about making a claim

How much can I claim?

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from public transport accidents. Minor whiplash can mean up to £3,810 is awarded, while, as a guide, it could be between £57,620 and £114,810 for severe neck injuries as they take much longer to recover from.

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.

Public Transport Accident Compensation Calculator

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Area of body

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Brain Injury

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Type of injury

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Minor brain or head injury

In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.

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Minor brain damage

Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.

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Moderate brain damage

Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.

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Severe brain damage

The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.

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Epilepsy

Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.

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Psychiatric damage

Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.

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Moderate PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

The injured person largely recovers within two years.

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Severe PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.

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Damage to hair

In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.

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Less serious damage to hair

Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.

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Minor eye injury

Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.

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Minor but permanent damage

Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.

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Loss of sight in one eye & reduced vision in the other

Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye

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Loss of sight in one eye with little or no damage to the other eye

Total loss of sight in one eye only.

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Total loss of one eye

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Total blindness

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Occasional or mild tinnitus

Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss

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Moderate tinnitus

With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.

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Severe tinnitus

With noise induced hearing loss

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Loss of hearing in one ear

With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.

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Total deafness

With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.

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Loss of smell

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Loss of taste

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Simple undisplaced fracture

Full recovery with no surgery required.

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Displaced fracture requiring surgery

Where recovery is complete after surgery

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Serious or multiple fractures

Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.

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Simple fracture, no surgery required

Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.

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Simple fracture requiring surgery

Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.

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Serious fractures requiring surgery

Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.

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Simple fracture

Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.

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Serious fracture

Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.

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Multiple fractures

Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.

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Loss of or damage to back teeth

Assessed per tooth.

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Loss of or serious damage to one front tooth

Single tooth only.

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Loss of or serious damage to two front teeth

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Loss of or serious damage to several front teeth

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Significant, chronic tooth pain

Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.

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Whiplash

Where full recovery takes place in less than a year.

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Moderate neck injury

Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.

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Severe neck injury

Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.

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Lung cancer

Caused by asbestos

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Asbestosis

Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)

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Mesothelioma

Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.

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Pleural thickening

Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.

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Traumatic injury to chest, lungs or heart

Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.

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Minor shoulder injury

Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.

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Moderate shoulder injury

Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.

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Dislocated shoulder

Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.

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Severe shoulder injury

Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.

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Fracture of clavicle (collarbone)

Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.

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Minor back injury

Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.

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Moderate back injury

Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.

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Severe back injury

Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.

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Simple fracture of the forearm

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Serious fractures to one or both forearms

Resulting in significant or permanent disability

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Loss of one arm - amputated at the shoulder

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Loss of one arm - amputated above the elbow

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Loss of one arm - amputated below the elbow

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Loss of both arms

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Minor or moderate elbow injury

Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.

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Serious elbow injury

Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty

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Severely disabling elbow injury

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Minor hand injury

Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.

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Severely fractured fingers

Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.

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Thumb injury - serious or very serious

Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.

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Loss of thumb

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Amputation of little finger

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Amputation of index or middle finger

Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.

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Loss of one hand

Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.

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Loss of both hands

Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.

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Vibration White Finger (VWF or HAVS)

Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.

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Minor wrist injury

Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.

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Serious wrist injury

Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.

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Moderate wrist injury

Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.

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Severe wrist injury

Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.

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Simple leg fracture

Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular

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Serious leg injury

Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.

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Severe fracture

Fractures where a full recovery is not made.

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Amputation of leg - below the knee

Loss of a leg below the knee

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Amputation of leg - above the knee

Loss of a leg above the knee

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Loss of both legs

Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.

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Modest knee injury

Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.

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Less severe knee injury

Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.

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Severe knee injury

Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.

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Minor injury to pelvis or hip

Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.

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Moderate injury to hip or pelvis

Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.

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Severe injury to hip or pelvis

Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.

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Minor foot injury

Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.

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Moderate foot injury

Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.

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Severe foot injury

Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.

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Loss of one foot

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Loss of both feet

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Severe injury to toes

Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.

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Amputation of the big toe

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Amputation of all toes

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Minor ankle injury

Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.

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Moderate ankle injury

For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.

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Severe ankle injury

Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

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Result

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You could claim upto £11,890*

Result

There are other types of compensation you could be awarded through your accident such as loss of earnings or damage to property. The estimates given here are simply for your personal injury claim.

First4Lawyers' solicitors will be able to give you the best idea of the amount you should expect from your individual injury.