Bus Accidents
Accidents on public transport and in taxis often affect more people than accidents between motorcycles or cars, as if a bus or train is involved in an accident it is likely that there will be a higher number of casualties. Although you are less likely to be involved in an accident on a bus, and often considered safer than travelling by car, accidents do still happen.
An accident on a bus could be caused by the driver if he is driving carelessly. If this is the case it is possible to make a claim against the company who employs the driver, who has a duty of care to his passengers. If the accident is not caused by the driver of the bus, it may be the case that another motorist is responsible for the accident. In this case it is possible to make a claim against the motorist involved.
24 hr Claims Helpline 0844 854 5090
Typical injuries you may receive in a bus accident involving another motorist are similar to those you may receive in an accident involving two cars, for example, whiplash, bumps or bruising, cuts and scrapes. Sometimes more severe injuries can occur due to the lack of seat belts on a bus. Typical injuries you may receive in a bus accident that was caused by careless driving by the bus driver are getting thrown from your seat, or falling over if you are standing (especially if the driver brakes or accelerates unnecessarily hard, or goes around a corner dangerously fast), falling while going up and down stairs on a double decker bus and falling while getting on or off the bus.
Taxi accidents
Most people will have used the services of a taxi at some point, perhaps to go out for an evening, to avoid carrying shopping or heavy items home, or as their normal mode of transport. A taxi is the same as any other motor vehicle, and so there is a risk that it may be involved in an accident and that you may sustain a personal injury as a result.
Taxi drivers are generally experienced drivers, but are at higher risk of driver fatigue, which can decrease awareness, alertness and lower reaction times. The amount of time a taxi driver spends on the roads every day alone increases the chances of a taxi being involved in a collision. Accidents can happen where the taxi driver is not at fault (i.e. another motorist caused the accident), in which case it is possible to make a claim against the person responsible for the accident, and similarly, if the taxi driver is at fault for the accident, it is possible to make a claim against the taxi company.
If you have been involved in a road traffic accident as a passenger on a bus or in a taxi, then call our Specialist Advice Centre on 0844 854 5090 .