Bus Accident Claims
Advice on when St Helens bus accident claims are possible and how solicitors can help secure the compensation you deserve.
Bus Accident Claims
Advice on when St Helens bus accident claims are possible and how solicitors can help secure the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident involving a bus, you may be wondering about your legal rights. Therefore, we’ve written this article to explain when you might be entitled to make a bus accident claim. We’ll set out scenarios where you could be eligible to claim, the kind of evidence that helps, and how compensation works.
The solicitors on our panel cover St Helens, and they can help you seek compensation if you’ve been injured in a bus accident. Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or another motorist on roads like the A58, M62, or East Lancashire Road, legal support may make a difference. Importantly, our team can guide you through the process and review your eligiblity as part of a free consultation.
If you’d like to learn more about bus injury claims, please continue reading. If you’d prefer to get free advice now, why not call 01744 385105 or complete our Contact Us page for friendly support?
What Is A Bus Accident Claim?
A bus accident claim is a legal process where you seek compensation if you’ve been injured in a bus-related road traffic accident. This might be as a bus passenger, a pedestrian, or someone driving another vehicle. If someone else – the bus driver, another motorist, or even the bus company – was at fault, you might have a valid claim.
You can claim for both physical and psychological injuries. Typical examples include broken bones, whiplash, head injuries, or trauma from the shock of the event. A claim aims to help you recover losses and cover treatment or rehabilitation. Claims can also be made for property damage resulting from the accident.
The solicitors on our panel handle road traffic accident claims on a regular basis. They cover St Helens and the surrounding area. Importantly, if your bus accident claim is taken on, it will be processed, from beginning to end, on a No Win No Fee basis.
To see if you might be entitled to claim compensation after a St Helens bus accident, please get in touch today.
If you've suffered an injury through no fault of your own, you don't need to suffer in silence.
Am I Eligible To Start A Bus Accident Claim
Typically, No Win No Fee solcitors only take on bus accident claims if there’s a fair chance that you’ll be compensated. To assess this, they will usually check that:
You were injured in an accident involving a bus.
The responsible party owed you a duty of care and the accident happened because they failed to uphold that duty.
You sustained at least one injury as a result of the accident.
Later in this guide, we will review some scenarios that might allow a claim to proceed. One example, for now, though, is where a bus collided with the back of your car because the bus driver was distracted while making a call to the bus depot.
How Long Do I Have To Begin A Claim?
Most bus accident claims must be started within three years of the accident date. This is the standard time limit for personal injury claims in the UK. There can be exceptions:
Under 18s: A parent or guardian can claim on your behalf any time before you turn 18. After that, you have until your 21st birthday.
Lack of mental capacity: There is usually no time limit if the injured person doesn’t have capacity.
Starting your claim as soon as possible improves your chances, as it’s easier to collect supporting evidence. If you’d like to confirm how long you’ve got to begin your claim, please feel free to call.
Common Examples Of Incidents Leading To Bus Accident Claims
There are potentially hundreds of different reasons why bus accident claims might be made. Remember, you can only seek compensation if the party responsible for the incident caused it through negligence. Some examples include:
Where a bus collides with a vehicle because it was tailgating.
The driver brakes sharply without good reason, causing passengers to fall or be thrown from their seats.
The bus pulls away before passengers are seated, leading to slips or falls.
Poor bus maintenance causes mechanical faults (like brake failures) that lead to an accident.
The driver fails to see a cyclist or pedestrian while changing lanes.
A pedestrian was struck by a bus wing mirror while standing at a bus stop.
The bus company fails to follow safety standards or staff training requirements.
If you believe that you’ve got grounds to claim for a bus accident in St Helens, why not reach out to our team today?
Using Evidence To Support A Bus Accident Claim
Here are some examples of evidence that could help if you decide to start a bus accident claim:
Photographic evidence – Capture detailed images of your injuries, the collision site, the vehicle in question, and any other pertinent details to help support your claim.
Receipts and financial documentation – Keep thorough records of expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as transport costs, medical bills, or other out-of-pocket payments.
CCTV recordings – Many buses are equipped with surveillance cameras, while street or public space cameras nearby might also have recorded the incident, providing invaluable visual proof.
Medical records – Documentation from your GP or the hospital will confirm the nature and extent of any injuries, supporting your account of what happened.
Accident records – Make certain the event is officially logged with the bus operator and, if required, reported to the police for an official investigation.
Eyewitness accounts – Statements from fellow passengers, drivers, or bystanders who observed the accident can corroborate your explanation and strengthen your position.
Specialist reports – Occasionally, the input of independent experts in medicine or accident analysis can offer additional authority and clarity to your case.
You may also wish to keep a diary of your symptoms and recovery. The solicitors on our panel may help you gather and present this evidence to build a robust claim. Therefore, please don’t be too concerned if you don’t have all of the evidence listed above.
How Do No Win No Fee Claims Work?
The solicitors on our panel provide a No Win No Fee service for any bus accident claim they agree to work on. Here’s how they work:
No Upfront Fees: If your case is accepted, you pay nothing upfront; the solicitor takes on the financial risk.
Conditional Fee Agreement: You sign a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement, which means you only pay a success fee if your claim is successful.
Claim Submission: Your solicitor gathers evidence, such as witness statements and medical reports, to support your claim and submits it to the responsible party.
Negotiation: The solicitor negotiates with the insurer or opposition for a fair settlement.
Court Proceedings: If a settlement isn’t reached, your solicitor may take the case to court on your behalf. This, in our experience, is very rare.
If the claim is won, you pay an agreed success fee from your settlement. Legally, this is capped at 25%. Should the claim fail, you won’t pay anything for your solicitor’s time and effort.
If you have any further questions on the No Win No Fee claims process, please call today.
What Does Compensation Cover?
Bus accident compensation aims to put you in the same position as if the accident hadn’t occurred. As such, any settlement you receive may be made up of:
General damages – For pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
Special damages – These cover financial losses such as medical treatment, travel costs, carer expenses, and lost earnings.
Future losses – If your injury will continue to affect you, future loss of earnings may be included.
Care and assistance – If you need help at home due to your injuries, these costs can be claimed.
As each case is unique, it’s not possible to say how much compensation you might receive at this point. However, if you proceed with a claim, your solicitor will calculate your settlement once they’ve assessed your suffering in fine detail.
Call Today To Start A Bus Accident Compensation Claim
If you’ve suffered injuries in a bus accident in or around St Helens, our panel of solicitors can help. They cover the local area and provide clear, expert support throughout your road traffic accident claim. You’ll receive advice about your rights, help in gathering evidence, and support with the claims process.
Ready to find out if you’re eligible? If so, please call us on 01744 385105, or use our Contact Us form.
Remember, the solicitors on our panel offer a No Win No Fee claims service for all bus accident claims they work on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below, you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about St Helens bus accident claims.
Can I claim if the bus accident was caused by bad weather?
Yes, if the bus driver or company acted negligently during poor weather, you may still have grounds to claim compensation. Their responsibility includes taking necessary precautions, even in difficult conditions, to ensure passenger safety. Failing to do so may make them liable for injuries. Always document the circumstances surrounding the accident and seek legal advice promptly.
Do I need to attend court for my bus accident claim?
Most claims are resolved through negotiation before reaching trial. This process saves time and legal expenses for both parties. Attending court becomes necessary when disagreements persist, or facts remain unclear. Even then, only a small percentage of personal injury cases actually proceed to a courtroom hearing. Out-of-court settlements are quicker and can result in more predictable outcomes for everyone involved.
Can I claim on behalf of a child injured in a bus accident?
Yes, a parent or guardian can make a claim on behalf of a child under 18 years old. This is because children are considered minors and may not have the legal capacity to bring a claim themselves. The process typically requires the parent or guardian to act as a “litigation friend,” representing the child’s best interests throughout the claim. Courts usually require proof of guardianship and will oversee the claim to ensure the child’s rights are fully protected.
