If you have been injured in a bus accident that wasn't your fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation with the help of a no win no fee solicitor.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Bus Accident Claims
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to make a bus accident compensation claim. A claim can help you recover the cost of medical treatment, lost earnings, rehabilitation, and any physical or emotional harm you’ve suffered.
Bus accidents can result from negligence such as reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance or poor road conditions. Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, head trauma, permanent scarring and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
To find out if you can make a bus accident claim on a no win, no fee basis, call 0800 470 0472 today for a free consultation over the phone or request a call back. A legal adviser will discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have.
Key points about bus accident claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you were injured as a passenger, pedestrian, or road user due to a bus company or driver’s negligence.
- Who Is Responsible: Liability may rest with the bus operator, local authority, or another road user depending on how the accident occurred.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to start a bus accident claim.
- Compensation: This depends on the nature of your injuries and any financial losses, such as time off work or treatment costs.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis — you only pay if your claim is successful.
Table of Contents
What is a bus accident claim?
A bus accident claim is a type of personal injury claim that you can make if you were injured in a bus-related incident caused by someone else’s negligence. This allows you to seek compensation for the physical, emotional and financial impact of your injuries.
Bus passengers, drivers, pedestrians and other road users can all make a claim if the accident happened because of:
- Careless or dangerous driving.
- Poor vehicle maintenance.
- Unsafe or poorly maintained road conditions.
- Other forms of negligence.
Am I eligible to make a bus accident compensation claim?
You may be eligible to start a bus injury compensation claim if:
- Another party, such as the bus driver, owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached this duty by acting recklessly or negligently.
- Their negligence caused the bus accident.
- You suffered an injury or injuries as a result.
A specialist personal injury solicitor can confirm your eligibility within minutes during a free case assessment and guide you through the next steps of the claims process.
Unfortunately, we can only help if you have suffered an injury in an accident that wasn't your fault. If you have made a mistake, please click below to start again.
Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
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Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Based on your answers, it looks like you may have a valid claim. Enter your details below and we’ll call you back to discuss your options. It’s completely free, with no obligation.
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Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Who could be liable to pay compensation for a bus accident?
Various parties could be liable for your injuries, depending on the circumstances of the accident. Possible defendants include:
- Bus drivers – If the driver caused the accident through careless or reckless driving.
- Bus companies or operators – For failing to maintain vehicles, provide proper training, or ensure safety standards under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Other road users – Drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians whose actions caused the bus accident through a breach of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- Local authorities – If they breached the Highway Act 1980, and poor road conditions, such as potholes or hazards, contributed to the accident.
- Vehicle manufacturers – If faulty or defective parts caused the bus to malfunction.
What are the time limits for making a bus accident claim?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have three years to claim compensation for your injuries, starting from the date of the bus or coach accident. Exceptions to the standard time limit include:
- Bus accidents involving children – A parent or guardian can make a child injury claim at any time until the child turns 18.
- Lack of mental capacity – If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to claim, a litigation friend could seek compensation for them at any time.
- Fatal accidents – If a loved one died as a result of a bus accident, you have three years from the date of death to make a fatal accident claim.
How do I claim compensation for a bus accident?
There are several steps you should take if you want to make a bus or coach accident claim:
- Get your injuries assessed and treated at a hospital.
- Gather evidence at the accident scene, such as photos and witness information.
- Contact a specialist road accident solicitor.
- Determine who is liable and how much compensation you deserve.
- Send a letter of claim to the defendant outlining your case.
- Negotiate a settlement or issue court proceedings if needed.
What evidence do you need to prove negligence in a bus injury claim?
You need as much evidence as possible to prove how the accident occurred, who was at fault and what harm and losses it has caused you. This could include:
- Medical records – Showing the type, severity, and treatment of your injuries.
- Photos or videos – Including road conditions or hazards that contributed to the accident.
- CCTV or dashcam footage – Capturing the collision or the events leading up to it.
- Witness statements – From passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers who saw the accident.
- Driver details – The bus driver’s name and driver number.
- Accident or police reports – These provide official documentation of the incident.
- Vehicle maintenance records – Evidence that the bus was poorly maintained, if applicable.
- Records of financial losses – Such as lost earnings, medical expenses or rehabilitation costs.
How much compensation can I claim for a bus or coach accident?
The amount of compensation owed to you depends on the severity of your injuries and the financial losses you’ve experienced. Your solicitor will assess the full impact the accident has had on your life, both physically and financially.
Compensation Calculator
Use our simple compensation calculator to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Compensation Calculator
Use our simple compensation calculator to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Calculate NowWhat type of injury or illness did you sustain?
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What type of injury or illness did you sustain?
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What type of injury or illness did you sustain?
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How severe was the injury or illness you sustained?
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Did you have to take time off work?
If you had to take time off work because of your injuries, you can include any lost earnings, overtime, bonuses and commission payments in your claim.
If you are still off work, you can also include any future lost earnings you anticipate.
Please estimate your lost earnings below or leave blank if you would like to skip this.
Did you have any other expenses?
If you have incurred any other financial expenses, such as travel costs or medical expenses, you can add these below.
Your claim could be worth:
Want to find out more?
Simply enter your details into the form below and a friendly legal adviser will give you a call to discuss your claim. The solicitors we work with provide a No Win No Fee service, so there are no upfront costs and no financial risk.
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The compensation settlement for a bus accident will cover two types of damages:
- Special damages – the financial impact of the accident and injuries, including both past, current and future losses and expenses.
- General Damages – the pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by the accident.
Examples of bus accident compensation payouts
Below are some examples of compensation awards from the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines. These are only used as an estimate; the actual amount you may receive will depend on your specific circumstances.
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Moderate brain damage likely to affect the senses, with some dependence on others | £57,000 - £289,000 |
| Hip And Pelvis Injuries | A severe hip or pelvis fracture requiring surgery and causing ongoing symptoms or disability | £82,000 - £104,000 |
| Elbow Injuries | An elbow injury causing some long-term problems, including impaired function. | £21,000 - £42,000 |
| Knee Injuries | A moderate knee injury causing minor instability or weakness | £20,000 - £35,000 |
| Fractured Nose | A displaced nose fracture not requiring surgery, with complete recovery | £3,300 - £4,200 |
| Whiplash (After 31 May 2025) | A whiplash injury lasting 12-15 months | In the region of £2,335 |
Can I make a bus accident claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes – most bus accident injury claims can be made under a conditional fee agreement, which means there are no upfront costs and no financial risk if your case is unsuccessful.
When you make a no win no fee claim, the solicitor takes on the risk of litigation, and you only pay them if you get compensation. If you win, they will deduct a success fee from your settlement (capped at 25% of damages for your injuries and past losses). If you lose, you don’t pay them a single penny.
Frequently asked questions
- Bus passenger accident claims – Injuries to bus passengers caused by sudden braking, faulty doors, falls on board and collisions.
- Bus driver accident claims – Claims made by bus drivers injured due to employer negligence, vehicle defects or the reckless actions of other road users.
- Pedestrian and cyclist bus accident claims – Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can claim if they’re hit by a bus or knocked down at a bus stop.
- Road accident claims – Road traffic accidents between a bus and a car, van or lorry driver.
- School bus accident claims – Parents can claim on behalf of children injured on school buses.
- Driver negligence – speeding, distraction, fatigue, or reckless driving.
- Bus company negligence – poor maintenance, outdated vehicles, or lack of safety checks.
- Hazardous road conditions – potholes, ice, debris, or poorly maintained roads.
- Weather conditions – rain, snow, or ice affecting vehicle control.
- Blind spots and turning errors – especially during left turns or lane changes.
Understanding the cause of your accident will help establish liability for your bus or coach accident compensation claim.
- Hold a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence and MOT certificate.
- Regular safety inspections and vehicle maintenance.
- Ensure drivers have valid licences, rest breaks, and proper training.
- Follow accessibility requirements and passenger capacity limits.
- Keep detailed vehicle and driver records.
Failure to meet these obligations can lead to fines, licence suspension, or liability in compensation claims.
- Potholes or damaged surfaces.
- Ice, snow, or standing water.
- Debris like fallen branches or loose gravel.
Personal injury compensation claims can, in some circumstances, be made under the Highways Act 1980, which places duties on authorities to maintain safe roads.
- Sudden braking or sharp turns
- Being thrown from your seat due to potholes or speed bumps
- Wet or icy steps and flooring
- Poorly maintained steps or walkways.
- A lack of handrails.
- Accidents caused by other road users.
- Mechanical failures or vehicle defects.
- Poor road conditions, such as ice or potholes.
Employer negligence, such as unsafe working conditions or poorly maintained buses, can lead to a workplace accident claim.
- Poorly trained drivers.
- Unsafe vehicles.
- Lack of supervision.
- Negligence by other road users.
The type and severity of the injuries you suffered will largely determine how much compensation you can claim for the accident.
However, more complicated claims for an accident on a bus can take a year or more, depending on the severity of your injuries and the available evidence.
- Speed up the claims process.
- Strengthen evidence.
- Reduce legal costs.
- Help achieve the best compensation.
In a report released by Transport for London (TfL) in 2021, 112 bus fatalities were recorded between 2015 and June 2021. The majority of victims were passengers (49) and pedestrians (41) involved in collisions or falling on the bus.
In comparison, in 2020, there were 116,360 casualties related to car accidents. Of these, 22,014 were seriously injured, 91,847 were slightly injured, and there were 1,472 fatalities.
Overall, public transport is widely recognised as one of the safest ways to travel on UK roads when measured against overall passenger numbers and journey volumes. However, as the data shows, accidents and injuries can still occur, and when they do, the consequences can be serious and long-lasting for those affected.
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a bus or coach and want to find out whether you may be able to make a claim, call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back. You will receive a free consultation and advice on your legal options.
Contact our friendly legal advisors to discuss your claim today.
