Your Guide To Public Transport Accident Compensation Claims

Public Transport Accident Compensation Claims

Have you or a loved one been involved in a public transport accident? If so, then we’re here to help, by offering our advice and guidance on how to process a Public Transport Accident Compensation Claim.

We understand that public transport accidents can result in a range of different injuries, from a concussion and bruising, to broken bones and even fatality. That’s why, whether you were injured as a passenger or driver on a bus, tram or train, the team of agents at The Compensation Experts are here to offer you the support needed at this difficult time.

Types of Public Transport Accident

There are various types of injury you may receive after having a public transport accident. 

Common injuries include being hit by a bus, falling over on a tram if it stops suddenly, being involved in a train crash or derailing, being a passenger in a taxi collision, and more. It is important to note that a claim is only eligible if there was negligence at play – but our specialist law firms will be able to advise you on your eligibility to make a claim.  

You may also be able to claim compensation if you were involved in an accident as a pedestrian, passenger or driver of a public transport vehicle, or another road user. 

Public Transport Accident Claims Examples

The solicitors we work with are experienced in handling all types of public transport accident claims. The most frequently occurring type of public transport accident are bus accidents.

For example, one recent bus accident claim our solicitors managed was for a passenger. She was on a stationary bus when it was hit from behind by a driver who was speeding. The impact of this collision violently threw our client forward, resulting in a bad head injury. She had suffered a fractured cheekbone and damaged teeth.

Another of our recent bus accident claims came from a client who was crossing the road in the town centre. An oncoming bus did not see the man and hit him, causing him to be taken to hospital. He had to miss two months of work due to his injuries.

What is the Claims Process?

If you’ve been involved in a public transport accident and want to start your own claim, it’s a lot easier than you might think. From your first contact with us right up to the day you receive your settlement and beyond, The Compensation Experts and our partner law firms are here to help you.

If you’re wondering how making a claim works, here’s the process:

• Contact us: Get in touch with us by phone, email or contact form. We’re here to listen to you and understand what happened. You’ll speak with one of our advisors who’ll ask you details about your accident like when and where it happened, the type of public transport involved and the injury you sustained.
• Confirmation: We will confirm we have your enquiry by sending you a quick text and email confirmation. Now we have your details, we conduct a preliminary check to assess how strong your claim is. We will then call you back and ask for more specific information about your accident and any evidence that you have from the scene.
• Introduce you with a solicitor: When we’re certain you have a strong case, we’ll put you in touch with a trusted law firm. You’ll work with solicitors who have a strong track record in public transport accidents and the specific expertise needed that relates to your case.
• Pass your case over: We’ll pass your case to a reputable law firm with expertise in your specific claim type. We then transfer all of our notes and files over to your public transport accident claims lawyer and they take it from there.
• Further investigation: To build a strong legal case, your lawyer will gather evidence that strengthens your claim, like CCTV footage and eye witness accounts. They’ll speak to experts to find out if the right safety measures and protocols were in place at the time of your accident.
• Health report: At the same time as building your case, your solicitor will also consult with your doctor and other medical specialists to understand the extent to which you’ve been affected by your injury. This is important in helping us determine a reasonable value for your financial settlement.
• Negotiation stage:  Your legal team will negotiate robustly on your behalf to get you the maximum possible settlement. This stage can involve some back and forth between parties, but your lawyer will keep you informed throughout the process.
• Going to court: In nearly every case, the legal teams we work with are able to settle out of court for a fair, just and generous amount of compensation. Your lawyer will only advise going to court if this is in your best interests, and this is extremely rare.
• Settlement day: When the defendant makes an acceptable offer, either out-of-court or in-court, your compensation is final and your settlement Is paid out.

From your initial contact with us right through the settlement day, your claim will be handled smoothly, professionally and with the greatest of care. We understand that bringing a claim can be stressful so we’re committed to making the process as easy, clear and straightforward as possible for you. We’ll keep you informed at every step of the process and answer any questions you have.

Nationwide Help

Our nationwide network of hand-picked solicitors will work closely with you to guide you through the claims process. Always acting with professionalism, the team are always on hand to answer your queries.

Am I eligible?

If you have suffered injuries due to a bus accident, or on any form of public transport, within the last 3 years, you may be eligible for compensation. Exceptions to this include industrial disease or if you were a child at the time of the accident. In each case, you may have a longer period to claim.

How much could I claim?

There are numerous types of public transport accidents, so the amount of compensation paid out often differs case to case. 

The compensation figure we seek will be based on a number of factors including:

• Loss of earnings: This includes the wages you don’t get paid because you can’t attend work together with your standard pension contributions. The longer you’re away and the more severe your injury, the greater the amount we’ll make a claim for.
• Care costs: This includes any healthcare not provided by the NHS like physical rehabilitation and psychological treatment costs. We can also ask for the costs of any personal care and household help you require to be covered.
• Pain and suffering: We understand that being involved in a public transport accident can be emotionally distressing and traumatic. We’ll request that this is factored into the settlement you receive.
• Travel costs: If you were in your own personal vehicle and it was struck and damaged by a bus, tram, train or taxi, you may need help with the cost of having it replaced or repaired. If you’re without your personal transport for a while, you may be able to claim for public transport costs to get to and from places you’d normally use your car for.
• Disrupted plans: If your injury causes you to miss a booked holiday or event, these costs may also be included in your claim too.

Our dedicated team of experts will give you an indication of how much compensation you could potentially claim for when you get in touch.

How to start your claim

All of the public transport accident claim solicitors that The Compensation Experts work with operate on a no win no fee basis. This means that if you don’t win your claim for compensation, you and your family aren’t left with any scary costs.

Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. For example, you may be required to pay an additional fee for other costs such as after-the-event (ATE) insurance. Termination fees may apply.

Don’t suffer in silence – submit our claim form and an agent will contact you to let you know how much you could claim.