UK Bus Accident Claim : Personal Injury Compensation

The information provided on this website is not legal or medical advice which should only be obtained personally from a qualified lawyer or doctor.

BUS ACCIDENT CLAIMS

Statistically you are far less likely to be killed or seriously injured as a result of a coach or bus accident than any other form of motorised transport. The UK Government statistics show that over a ten year period between 1992 and 2002 on average there were 20 fatalities per year compared to 600 for motorcyclists, 1750 for cars and even HGV/LGV were significantly higher at around 120 people per year. However in addition to fatalities there are over 10,000 other injuries reported each year for this type of incident.

These accidents are unique amongst road traffic incidents as there are almost always a number of claimants injured in each accident. Even if the driver is at fault, the passengers never can be, unless they in some way caused the driver to have the accident. This means it is usually fairly easy to show that it was someone else’s fault, even if the insurers of the two vehicles that collided dispute who caused the accident. Usually the one thing the insurers will agree on is to settle all the passenger claims on a without prejudice basis. This means that whilst not admitting their driver was at fault, the bulk of the claims can be paid quickly, removing the need for expensive County Court litigation.

These vehicles are fitted with tachographs ensuring that speed, distance travelled and stopping distance are all recorded. There are usually a number of witnesses to the accident, and their recollections combined with the tachograph evidence is usually considered to be fairly persuasive evidence of what actually occurred. The only difficulty with bus accident claims is that similarly to HGV claims, the amounts at stake are so large that insurers are far more willing to go to Court than in smaller car accident claims. Thankfully as the passengers who can not be at fault have received their compensation, the ongoing Court proceedings are of no consequence to them and only serve to apportion blame between the drivers. Once the issue of liability has been resolved, these claims proceed like all other personal injury claims.

Injuries must be treated and then recorded in a medico-legal report, so that they can be valued for compensation purposes. Injuries often include cuts to face and head from flying glass, bruising where bodies have been thrown against hard surfaces in buses and coaches, and neck and back pain.

Loss of earnings must be calculated. Such losses include any bonuses or promotions lost.

Any financial outlays must be recovered, such as prescriptions charges, taxi fares, trips to the GP or Hospital. Providing receipts are kept or a reasonable schedule of loss is provided these financial outlays are usually agreed.

Winston Solicitors are personal injury claims lawyers who will make sure that you receive 100% of your compensation. Win or lose there is no charge. If we represent you there are no middlemen, no loans and no other costs for you to pay. Your claim is completely risk free.

We deal with compensation claims throughout England and Wales and are able to arrange home or hospital visits from our national network. We can arrange medical examinations at short notice from some of the countries most eminent specialists. If you would like to talk to a solicitor without obligation just complete the online contact form and we will phone with free advice on how best to pursue your claim and how to protect your legal rights to compensation.