Public transport companies have a duty to keep you safe
You deserve to feel safe while you're travelling, especially as you're a paying customer. If you've been injured on public transport, we know how unfair it can feel.
Under government regulations - set out by the Department for Transport andMaritime and Coastguard Agency - public transport companies have a duty to make sure you're kept as safe as possible while you're travelling. As part of this, they should follow health and safety rules put in place to help avoid accidents. If they've failed to do this, they've put you at risk and the consequences can be life-changing.
If you or a loved one has been injured while on public transport, we're here to help you make an accident claim to cover the costs of your injury and the effect it's had on your life.
You canget in touch with us for free, impartial advice on or by filling in our secure online form to arrange a call back. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have and can let you know whether you could make a claim.
Accidents on buses
Accidents on buses are some of the most common types of public transport accidents. Unlike other vehicles on the road such as cars, vans and lorries, buses aren't legally required to have seat belts for passengers. This means the chances of injury can be higher.
For example, if the bus driver brakes too suddenly or causes a road traffic accident, you may be thrown out of your seat and suffer long-lasting injuries.
Accidents can also happen when passengers are standing up. Wet floors from spillages that haven't been cleaned up can cause slips, trips and falls. People may also fall over if the driver pulls away from the bus stop before passengers have had time to sit down.
Enduring an accident on public transport can be embarrassing, especially on a busy bus. It can be common to brush off the incident and try to forget about it. But if your accident results in serious injury and it wasn't your fault, you shouldn't be out of pocket because of it. That's where we can help.
Call our personal injury advisors on or arrange a call back for more information and free, impartial advice.
Accidents on the train or tube
On the railway network and the London Underground, one of the main responsibilities for operators is to keep passengers safe by signposting hazards and making sure stations and trains are properly maintained.
Accidents on trains can often happen while getting on or off. For example, faulty doors can suddenly shut, and the step down to the platform can be especially dangerous for elderly passengers if there's no warning.
Injuries can also happen while passengers are moving around the station, especially when steps and flooring haven't been properly maintained. For example, accidents in train stations might be caused by:
- Wet or uneven flooring
- Badly lit, uneven or slippery stairways
- Body parts being stuck in train doors or ticket barriers
- Damaged handrails
Road traffic accidents in taxis
Any road user is at risk of being involved in a road traffic accident, but when you get in a taxi you place your trust in the driver and expect them to follow the rules of the road.
Accidents on the road can cause devastating injuries - speeding, drink driving, or driving dangerously can put passengers and other road users at risk. If you've suffered a public transport injury as a passenger because of a taxi driver's negligence, we know this can be very difficult to come to terms with.
You could also make a public transport accident claim if the incident was caused by another vehicle. Generally speaking, if your accident happened in the past three years and was someone else's fault, it's likely we can help you get the money and support you need.
If possible, we recommend making a note of the taxi company, the name of the driver and the registration of any vehicles that were involved in the accident straight after it happens. This information could be useful when it comes to making a public transport injury claim.
Accidents on ferries or boats
Ferries and boats are a very popular way of getting from one holiday destination to another - and when you're going on holiday, the last thing you expect is to become injured before you get there.
Owners of boats and ferries have a duty of care to any passenger on board, so they could be liable if you're injured during the journey. Public transport injuries can occur on boats or ferries when:
- Running aground or into the port while docking
- Crashing into other vessels
- Surfaces are slippery on the deck, especially in rough seas
- Food poisoning is suffered from onboard catering services
- Objects fall after failing to be secured properly
Making a public transport accident claim
Suffering a public transport injury that was somebody else's fault can be very frustrating. As well as the physical pain, it can also be difficult to deal with emotionally. We're here to help you make it right. We offer free, confidential advice, give you the answers to your questions and can pass you on to the right public transport accident solicitor for your case if you decide you'd like to go ahead.
Our partner solicitors will make sure any out-of-pocket expenses are covered by the compensation received for your public transport accident. This could include any medical bills, adaptations to your home, or any lost earnings from time off work.
They'll also take the wider impacts of your injury into account. For example, you may have missed out on social activities, hobbies and been unable to spend time with your family. The compensation you receive will help cover this.
You can get in touch with us for pressure-free advice on or you can fill in the secure form and we'll call you back.
Frequently asked questions...
The time it takes to reach a settlement in a successful personal injury claim can vary significantly. It depends on how complex your case is, the type, severity and circumstances of your injuries, plus the time it takes to gather all the necessary medical evidence.
An injury claim duration is also affected by things like whether or not you know the identity of the other side and if the other side admits liability - or challenges it in court. A clear-cut road traffic accident claim may be settled in just weeks whereas a complicated medical negligence case may take up to three years or more.
As a rule of thumb, an uninsured driver claim takes three or four months. Other road and work accident claims may take four to nine months, trips and slips six to nine months, industrial disease claims between one year to 18 months and clinical negligence one to three years plus.
The figures show it's pretty unlikely. The vast majority of personal injury compensation claims are settled without a Hearing in front of a Judge.
In most cases, your legal representatives negotiate with the other side (usually their insurance company) to reach a satisfactory compensation award and that's that.
Where the other side accepts liability from the start, the process is quick - perhaps a couple of months. This can be known as non-fault accident compensation. If the other side denies or disputes liability (for instance where the blame is shared), a negotiated settlement is still possible.
On rare occasions where negotiations fail without agreement, then a Court Hearing is needed.
Can I make a no win no fee public transport accident claim?
Can I make a no win no fee public transport accident claim?
Yes, at National Accident Helpline we specialise in no win no fee claims - a risk-free way to claim the compensation you deserve. You won't have to pay any costs upfront because your personal injury lawyer will cover all your claim costs and expenses.
You'll also have the reassurance that when you claim compensation for a public transport accident, you'll have nothing to pay if you don't win your case. This is possible because before starting your claim, in most cases we can help you put in place an insurance policy known as ‘After the Event insurance' (ATE). This insurance covers legal costs, medical report fees, court fees and barristers' fees if you don't win your claim. You won't even have to pay the ATE policy fee.
So, what happens if you win your case? Depending on your claim type and value, the other side will usually be required to contribute towards your legal costs and expenses. When there's a shortfall in this contribution, it may be deducted from your compensation. This may include any fixed fees not covered by the other side, the solicitor's ‘success fee' for winning your claim, and the ATE policy fee.
You'll be fully informed of the details before starting your claim. Your solicitor will explain how much you'll pay if you win your case, so you'll know what to expect. And for extra peace of mind, any deduction from your compensation will be capped at a level discussed upfront with you.
How much compensation might I get for my public transport accident claim?
How much compensation might I get for my public transport accident claim?
Unfortunately, there's no definite answer to how much you could receive in compensation for a public transport accident. Due to the unique circumstances of each case, every claim will be assessed by the court on its own details.
However, as a general guide, we take the lead from the Judicial College, part of the Ministry of Justice in the UK. The 15th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines on compensation awards provides an average settlement award based on historical data. Below shows the average settlement figures of soft tissue injuries caused by public transport accidents.
| Injury type | Compensation range |
| Where a full recovery is made within three months | Up to £2,090 Or up to £2,300 |
| Where a full recovery takes place between three months and a year. This bracket will also apply to very short-term acceleration and/or exacerbation injuries, usually less than one year | £2,090 to £3,710 Or £2,300 to £4,080 |
| Where a full recovery takes place within a period of about one to two years. This also also applies to short-term acceleration and/or exacerbation injuries, usually between one to two years | £3,710 to £6,730 Or £4,080 to £7,410 |
Our compensation calculator can also help you understand the public transport claim settlement you might receive. With just a few details about your case, our calculator will generate a general figure based on past settlement awards.
It is important to note that actual awards may differ significantly. Should you choose to make a public transport accident claim, your solicitor should be able to forecast a more accurate figure.
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Why choose National Accident Helpline?
Why choose National Accident Helpline?
For nearly three decades, we've been helping people seek the accident compensation awards they deserve. We don't believe anyone should be left to deal with financial hardship following an accident on public transport, which is why we're here to help.
Our personal injury advisors are here to listen to your public transport injury details, offer advice on whether you could make a no win no fee claim and, when you're ready, put you in contact with the best public transport accident solicitors for you.
Contact our team now on or fill in our secure online form to request a call back.
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Our customer stories
Over the years, we've helped thousands of people just like you seek the personal injury compensation they deserve.
Our dedication and expertise - alongside our compassion and understanding - have helped us earn an ‘Excellent' rating on the independent customer review platform Trustpilot.
To find out more about how we've helped people after an accident that was not their fault, head over to our customer stories page.
Amelia's Story
After Amelia was injured in a car accident, the experience left her feeling depressed and, suffering with pain in her shoulders, she worried that she wouldn't make a full recovery.
Amelia contacted us and she was relieved when she received her settlement and since then, she's had the confidence to go back to the gym and get back to feeling like her normal self again.