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Accidents on public transport

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.

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According to the Department for Transport in 2017/18, there were 4,998 buses or coaches involved in reported accidents. 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.

How the claim process works

Call

Get in touch

You can contact us 24/7 online or by phone, or use our callback form to request a callback at a time convenient to you

Discuss

Discuss your situation

One of our friendly, legally trained advisors will get in touch with you. They will assess whether you have a claim and match you with the right solicitor for the case

Manage

Manage your claim

Our specialist No Win No Fee* solicitors will then manage the entire claim from start to finish, helping you get the justice and compensation you deserve

How long do I have to make a claim?

First and foremost, you should concentrate on recovering as well as possible. Once you're ready, you should consider contacting First4Lawyers to start your claim. The sooner you start your claim, the quicker our team of expert solicitors can help you to achieve the compensation that you deserve.

I’ve suffered an injury while on public transport. What should I do?

After you’ve recovered from your injuries, it’s worth making a compensation claim. The sooner you contact us, the quicker we can help you to not only seek justice and compensation, but support you in your recovery. You may be able to make a No Win No Fee* claim. Contact us by either calling us, requesting a callback at the top of the screen, or complete our online claim form.

Only pay a fee if you receive compensation

Where we offer No Win No Fee services typically customers pay 25% of the amount recovered by our solicitors, although this will be subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be less than this but it will never be more. Success fees are common practice and they were introduced when the law changed in April 2013.

First4Lawyers are an award winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I call you for free advice?

Yes, our team of friendly experts are more than happy to help, and will answer any questions you have regarding a claim, even if you’re unsure whether you’re eligible.

Contact us for a free and confidential discussion.

How long will a claim take?

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.

More about making a claim

Can I make a claim online?

Yes, you can start your claim online or by calling us on the number at the top of the screen.

After entering a few details into our simple form, one of our advisors will call you back to discuss your claim.

When completing the form, just give a brief description of your accident, including details on what happened and when, if you were injured in the accident and what your injuries were. This helps us to understand the nature of your accident, so that we will be able to advise you on the most appropriate next steps for you.

We’ll also need a few contact details, including your full name, telephone number and an alternative telephone number (in case we’re unable to reach you). You can also include your email address, if you’d prefer us to email you with further details.

Let us know what time it’s best for us to call you back. We know it’s not always convenient for you to talk, so we'll call at that scheduled time when you'll be expecting us.

Making a claim online will help to save you time and will ensure that you receive a phone call back from us as soon as possible. During the call, we will ask you a few questions about your accident and advise you if you’re eligible to make a claim, and if so, what you can do next.

Start your claim online now

How do I know whether I have a claim?

That's what we're here for! 

If you’ve had an accident and you’re not sure if you’re eligible to claim, then call us through the number at the top of the screen and speak to one of our specialist advisors.

We will give you free advice regarding your case and advise you on the potential of your claim, without obligation.

We believe in working honestly and with integrity – we don’t believe in raising expectations and we don’t encourage false claims.

To be eligible to make a compensation claim, there are three key conditions that your case will need to meet:

  • Your accident must have taken place during the last three years. Please note: different rules apply to industrial disease, medical negligence and criminal injury claims, or if you were under 18 when the accident happened.  We will advise accordingly in each of these cases.
  • There must be a person or organisation who is at fault for your accident.
  • Your injuries will have required medical treatment.

If you have any questions, or are unsure if your case meets these requirements, give us a call or complete our online claim form and we'll be in touch shortly.

Can I be compensated for losses as well as my injury?

Yes, you may be entitled to compensation for losses other than your personal injury.

A personal injury claim is split into two parts: general damages and special damages.

  • General damages are paid for the pain and suffering and emotional distress from your physical injury.
  • Special damages relate to damaged belongings or financial losses resulting from the injury.

 

Will I have to attend a medical?

Yes, you’ll need to have a medical examination to make a personal injury claim.

It's to provide proof that your injury was caused by the accident and to allow your solicitors to value your claim.

How does No Win No Fee* work?

If you win, our solicitors take a percentage of the final compensation up to 25%, and this will be discussed with you before the process begins so that there are no unexpected costs at the end. 

If you lose your case, you do not pay your solicitor any legal fees for the work they've carried out on your behalf.

Are there any catches to No Win No Fee*?

No, there are no 'catches'.  Although there are some exceptions in Scotland and Northern Ireland, No Win No Fee* does what it says on the tin: if you don’t win, you don’t pay the solicitor's legal fees.

When discussing your claim, our advisors will be able to assess whether these exceptions apply to you. We’ll always be transparent, so you can be confident that we won’t land you with any hidden costs.

How likely am I to win a No Win No Fee* case?

It depends on the individual circumstances around your claim.

Our legal advisors, who are trained to the highest standard, will discuss the details of your case with you and assess how likely is it to succeed.

This is always discussed with you in your initial phone call so that your time is not wasted and you know where you stand straight away.

I've been injured. Can I make a No Win No Fee* claim?

Yes, if the accident was not your fault, you may have a No Win No Fee* claim.

By discussing your accident with one of our trained legal advisors we can assess whether you have a claim.  We will then be able to find a specialist solicitor to suit your needs.

Get in touch with us to find out more.

What percentage do solicitors take out of my compensation?

Our solicitors may take up to 25% of any compensation they win for you.

However, they will discuss the exact percentage that will be deducted prior to any work happening.

At this stage you are under no obligation to choose a First4Lawyers solicitor.  More about making a claim

Who pays the other side's costs?

As part of a conditional - No Win No Fee* arrangement, any costs are covered by either arranging an insurance policy, or by using any existing legal expenses cover you may have.

The solicitor will discuss any need for, and the suitability of, any insurance with you.  

Can I claim if my accident happened while I was abroad?

Yes, you can still claim if you had an accident while abroad.  But it can be more complex due to varying laws in other countries.

Accidents abroad are very common and can happen to anyone. Some of the most common accidents can include things such as suffering food poisoning from the hotel restaurant, slipping on a wet floor in a hotel or tripping over on a poorly-maintained footpath.

Other scenarios you may be able to claim compensation for include: sport-related accidents from using damaged, faulty or poorly-maintained equipment, sustaining an injury during an arranged excursion and road traffic accidents (including accidents when travelling as a passenger in a car, coach or taxi).

Those who booked their trip with a travel agent or as part of a package holiday are more likely to be able to claim against the travel company once returning to the UK, as opposed to the services used abroad (such as a hotel or restaurant).

At First4Lawyers, we work with solicitors who are experienced in making claims for accidents that have happened abroad, for people who were either on holiday or travelling on a business trip. Contact us for a no-obligation chat.

Video

What is No Win No Fee*?

If the solicitor doesn't win your case, you don't pay a penny. It's as simple as that! (Duration - 1:20)

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How to guides

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