Common Public Transport Accident Types

An accident on public transport could potentially result in serious or life-changing injuries. Even minor injuries can be distressing and could cause a loss of earnings due to having to take time off work to recover. Compensation cannot reverse the effects of your injuries but it can help to cover any lost wages, medical treatment, rehabilitation and any other necessary adjustments. Financial help with these sorts of costs through compensation can help reduce the burden that many feel when trying to recover.

Bus and Coach Accidents

Buses and coaches are usually involved in similar accident types to cars. Buses, in particular, can be hazardous as there is no legal requirement for them to be fitted with seatbelts while coaches have been forced to adopt seatbelts since 2001. If a bus or coach is involved in a collision, whether due to their own negligent driving or the negligent actions of someone else, then passengers can be thrown forward and even out of the seats. This quick motion can result in soft tissue injuries such as whiplash or injuries to their arms and legs.

Taxi Accidents

Whether you’re in a private hire taxi or a black cab, there is an expectation that your journey will be safe. A taxi driver, as well as drivers of popular ride services like Uber, has a duty of care to ensure your safety while you are in their vehicle. If there is an accident, such as a collision or an impact due to them breaking too hard this may result in injury which could, therefore, be claimed for.

Train Accidents

Train accidents can range in severity, from falling over in the cabin to a crash. Serious train accidents are very rare, but the consequences of such accidents can often be very severe and dangerous, even causing fatalities. Making a claim for a train accident can also often be complex due to the complicated nature of the UK railway network.

Aeroplane Accidents

Major aeroplane accidents are also thankfully very rare. However, there are other smaller incidents which can commonly occur such as slips, trips and fall accidents that are caused by improper care within the cabin crew. Illness or food poisoning could also occur due to conditions upon a plane. If you have been injured or have become ill due to your experience on a plane, you may be able to claim compensation.

Ship or Ferry Accidents

Whether you use a ferry to get to work, or you are on a cruise ship for your summer holiday, accidents can sometimes sadly happen. Maritime conditions are out of control of the ship’s crew, but the ship operators do still have a duty of care to have safety procedures in place for bad weather conditions. Furthermore, the crew do have a duty to ensure your safety in regard to incidents or conditions that are under their control. For example, walkways should be free of obstruction and surfaces like steps should be safe to use without risk of injury. If you suffer an injury through an accident that was not your fault while on a ship or ferry, you may be able to claim compensation.

How much Compensation?

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. Compensation is understood by looking at two specific factors: general damages and special damages.

GENERAL DAMAGES

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused are main factors that are used to determine how much general damage compensation you are owed. This will usually be determined by undergoing a medical examination, from which a report is created that highlights the length of time the injuries will take to heal as well as their severity. Our compensation calculator will give you an indication of how much general damage compensation you might be entitled to based upon your injuries.

SPECIAL DAMAGES

In addition to receiving compensation for your injuries, you may be able to reclaim any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries. Compensation for financial losses is known as special damages compensation. This can include losses such as loss of earnings due to not being able to return to work, the cost of treatment as well as travel to treatment. It is important that you keep any receipts or evidence of additional losses in order for these to be reclaimed.

With the exception of children, there is a three-year time limit on making a personal injury claim. This time limit begins from the date that the accident initially occurred. Therefore, you should contact us as soon as possible to assess your case.

Making Personal Injury Claims

If you have suffered an injury due to an accident that wasn’t your fault while on public transport, you may be entitled to compensation. First Personal Injury is available to assist you and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.