Bus drivers are trained with high safety standards in mind. Buses are required to be maintained to a certain standard set by the authorities. These standards ensure that no accidents occur. Even with these standards in place, accidents can happen.
Bus accidents can lead to injuries for passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. These injuries can range from minor to major injuries, including whiplash. These accidents are usually caused by negligence in maintaining safety standards and the carelessness of the driver.
Victims of such injuries can claim compensation for their troubles from the authority responsible. Neglect is a breach of the duty of care that is owed to the passengers, pedestrians, and road users.
Eligibility to Make a Claim
As discussed above, a bus accident can affect the following people.
Passengers of the Bus
People travelling on the bus who get injured by the negligence of the bus driver can claim compensation. This injury can be caused by reckless driving, collision, bus doors closing on you, etc.
Pedestrians
Bus accidents are hazardous to not only the passengers of the bus but also to pedestrians. These pedestrians injured by a bus accident can claim the relevant authorities.
Other Drivers and Road Users
Collisions or reckless bus driving can cause accidents that can affect and injure other road users. It can lead to minor injuries and even whiplash. You might be thinking, can you get whiplash from a bus? Yes, a bus accident can cause whiplash to any one of the individuals mentioned above.
How to Claim After a Bus Accident
To understand how to claim after a bus accident you must first find the responsible person to file a claim against. A bus accident can be caused by the bus driver, maintenance company/manufacturer or the road maintenance authority.
If the accident is caused by the neglected maintenance or faulty manufacturing of the bus, then the maintenance/ manufacturing company is at fault. Reckless bus drivers can be held liable if they are the cause of the accident. Accidents caused by road conditions can be linked to the relevant road maintenance authority.
After identifying the party at fault, you must gather evidence to make your case against that party. Gathering evidence is crucial as it will help you prove the neglect. Here are some examples of the evidence that can be gathered after a bus accident.
- Information about the bus and the driver
- Photographs of the aftermath, including any visible injuries.
- Any testimonies of witnesses
- Medical reports and bills
Seek Legal Advice
After gathering all the information possible, you must seek legal advice from professionals in the injury claim. These solicitors can guide you on whether you have a case against the party at fault.
Personal injury claim solicitors operate on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that you can avail their services without any fee until the compensation is received. If the claim is not won, the solicitors do not take any fee.
The compensation from a bus crash
You might be wondering how much compensation do you get for a bus crash. Calculating the exact amount of the compensation is impossible as it depends on the unique circumstances of the accident like the severity of the injuries. The time limit for claiming bus accidents is three years. So, if you or your loved one has been in a bus accident, you can use this information on how to claim after a bus accident and pursue compensation. Contact a solicitor and build a case for compensation against the concerned party.