Public Transport Accidents

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, 2,147 people were killed or injured on buses or coaches in 2022. This shows that 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 make it responsible.

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. The laws around compensation for whiplash have changed. You can now receive £240 for a case lasting up to three months, while a two-year injury could see you receive £4,215.

Other injuries will see different compensation amounts. For example, 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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  • In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.
  • Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.
  • Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.
  • The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.
  • Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.
  • Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.
  • The injured person largely recovers within two years.
  • Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.
  • In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.
  • Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.
  • Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.
  • Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye
  • Total loss of sight in one eye only.
  • Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss
  • With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.
  • With noise induced hearing loss
  • With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.
  • With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.
  • Full recovery with no surgery required.
  • Where recovery is complete after surgery
  • Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.
  • Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.
  • Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.
  • Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.
  • Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.
  • Assessed per tooth.
  • Single tooth only.
  • Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.
  • Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.
  • Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.
  • 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.
  • Caused by asbestos
  • Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)
  • Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.
  • Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.
  • Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.
  • Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.
  • Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.
  • Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.
  • Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.
  • Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.
  • Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.
  • Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.
  • Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
  • Resulting in significant or permanent disability
  • Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.
  • Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty
  • Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.
  • Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.
  • 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.
  • Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.
  • Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.
  • Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.
  • Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.
  • Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.
  • Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.
  • Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.
  • Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.
  • Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular
  • Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.
  • Fractures where a full recovery is not made.
  • Loss of a leg below the knee
  • Loss of a leg above the knee
  • Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.
  • Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.
  • Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.
  • Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.
  • Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.
  • Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.
  • Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.
  • Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.
  • Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.
  • Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.
  • Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.
  • Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.
  • For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.
  • Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

Simply fill in our form below and we’ll call you back at a time to suit you.

Or talk to our team on:
0808 271 6198

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.

It is important to keep in mind that every case is different and the advice and estimates you'll be given, once your case has started, will be tailored specifically for your case.

Road Traffic Accident FAQs

Can passengers claim compensation?

Yes, if you’re a passenger who has been involved in a collision on the road and suffered injuries through no fault of your own, then you’re entitled to make a claim for compensation.

I was hit by an uninsured driver. Can I claim?

Yes, you can make a claim if you were hit by an uninsured driver.

With the help of our panel of solicitors, you can claim through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).

Backed by every motor insurer in the UK, the MIB is a scheme set up to help compensate victims of accidents caused by uninsured and untraced motorists.

How much can I claim for a road traffic accident?

It depends on the type and severity of any injuries sustained.

For those inflicted with minor brain or head injuries, they could receive between £1,940 and £11,200. At the other end of the scale, severe leg injuries could see compensation between £48,080 and £119,210, whereas loss of an arm may mean an award of between £84,310 to upwards of £120,270.

For further examples see our compensation calculator.

Is there a time limit for making a claim?

Generally speaking there is a limit of three years to start a claim, starting from the date of your accident. If you were under the age of 18 when you had your accident, you have until your 21st birthday.

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.

Why choose First4Lawyers?

Whether you want to make an accident and injury claim, or need a solicitor for personal or business law matters - our friendly team are here to help, 24/7.

Free initial consultation

Our fully trained legal advisors are happy to offer initial guidance and advice for free

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No Win No Fee solicitors - you don't pay a penny up front when making a claim

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We offer advice with no obligation.  We never cold-call or apply pressure to our customers

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