Whether it's as a pedestrian, passenger on board or as another road user, if you're injured in a Tram or Metrolink accident that wasn't your fault, it can have a big impact on your life, both immediately after the incident and in the future.
By making a claim with National Accident Helpline, you can let us help get your life back on track.
What are tram accident claims?
In the UK, there are eight tram network systems operating. Despite the highest safety standards being in place, tram accidents can - and do - occur, some of which can be fatal.
A tram accident claim can be made when a person is injured in a tram accident and it was not their fault, or at least only partially their fault, so they claim compensation from the person or organisation who was at fault. It is a type of personal injury claim.
What are the most common types of injury caused by tram accidents?
If you are unfortunate enough to experience a tram accident, there are common types of injury you can sustain as a result, as well as common types of tram accidents. Tram accidents can occur through:
- tram door failures
- tram collisions
- a tram colliding into the vehicle you are travelling in
- an injury to a cyclist whose cycle wheels get stuck in tram tracks
- a pedestrian hit by a tram
- pedestrians who slip onto the tram trackway
- tram derailment due to damaged tracks
- mechanical faults
- poor training of tram drivers
- passengers suffering electric shocks from overhead tram wires
The types of injuries which commonly occur as a result of tram accidents are:
- head injuries
- broken limbs
- crushing injuries resulting in amputation or loss of feeling
- long-term loss of mobility
- brain damage
What should I do if I'm injured in a tram or Metrolink accident?
If you find yourself injured in a tram or Metrolink accident, or any public transport accident, it can be difficult to prove that the accident was the fault of another.
Therefore, you must carry out certain actions if you are injured in a tram or Metrolink accident to increase your chances of success should you wish to make a compensation claim. You should:
- take details of the tram driver, tram number, and the route the tram is travelling on
- note the date and time of the accident
- take photos of the accident
- report the accident to the tram company such as a tram official at the scene or nearby
- possibly report the accident to the police but this will depend on the nature of it
- keep your ticket as proof of your journey where you have one
- write your own record of what happened
- take details of potential witnesses which could be passengers as well as bystanders
- take details of any other vehicles involved.
- seek medical attention for any injuries as soon as possible after the accident.
Do tram drivers have a duty of care towards their passengers?
When you travel on a tram or Metrolink, you do have to take some responsibility towards your own safety, and sometimes tram accidents can be your own fault.
However, tram drivers also have a duty of care towards their passengers. They must reduce the risk of an accident or personal injury happening for their passengers by driving the tram in a way to ensure this. They must also consider the different types of passengers travelling such as those who are:
- young
- elderly
- inferm
The public transport organisation running the tram or Metrolink has a duty of care towards you.
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View profileMeet the teamCan I claim compensation if I'm injured in a tram accident as a passenger?
Where the duty of care fails, you may be able to make a compensation claim. If you are a passenger in a tram accident, for example, you may be able to claim compensation. It is important, therefore, to keep your ticket. Also keep copies of expense receipts as a result of the accident such as medical treatment.
Can I claim if I'm injured by a tram as a pedestrian?
As a pedestrian injured by a tram, you may be able to make a compensation claim. With Metrolink trams, the most common type of tram accident is one which takes place outside the tram such as with a pedestrian. If the accident was the fault of the tram, you may be able to claim compensation.
Can I claim it if my car or bike was hit by a tram?
If your car or even your bike is hit by a tram, it may be possible to make a compensation claim, Tram accidents can occur outside rather than inside the tram and with Metrolink tram, this is the most common type of tram accident such as where a tram hits a cyclist. If the accident was the fault of the tram, you may be able to claim compensation.
How much compensation might I receive?
If you make a compensation claim for a tram or Metrolink accident, you may wonder how much you can claim. This depends primarily on:
- the extent of injuries;
- What treatment and care you need now
- your future treatment and care needs
- any loss of earnings
- expenses you incur as an area of the tram accident
- trauma experienced
- loss of enjoyment
Your compensation will be categorised into general damages and specific damages.
| Injury | Compensation range |
| Minor brainor head injury | £2,070 - £11,980 |
| Fractured cheekbone | £2,180 - £9,570 |
| Serious shoulder injury | £11,980 - £18,020 (with recovery over 2 years) |
| Back injury causing permanent symptoms | £11,730 - £26,050 (with recovery over 2 years) |
| Hip or pelvis injury | £3,710 - £24,950 |
| Fractured forearm | £6,190 - £18,020 |
| Wrist injury | £3,310 - £44,690 |
| Ankle injury | £12,900 - £46,980 |
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Can I make a no-win no fee tram injury claim?
If you have been in a tram or metrolink accident, it no doubt has had a massive impact on your daily life and potentially left you traumatised. You may have had to change your day-to-day life and might have had to take time off work and lose potential earnings.
If you have a tram accident injury and want to make a compensation claim, at National Accident Helpline, you can claim on a no-win no fee basis. This means that when you make an injury and accident claim for the injury sustained as part of a tram or Metrolink accident, you do not take a financial risk.
How long do I have to start my claim?
If you want to claim a tram or metrolink accident, there is a timed period within which you need to start your claim. This is the same as any personal injury claim.
You must start the claim within three years of the date of your tram or Metrolink accident or the date you found out you suffered an injury as a result of the tram accident, which is the date of knowledge.
If you are claiming for a child, however, you can make the claim any time until their 18th birthday. After this, if they wish to make a claim themselves once 18 and an adult, they have three years to do so.
How long might the claim take?
The claim process for tram and Metrolink accident compensation is like any other personal injury claim as it depends on specific factors such as:
- how serious the injuries are
- what evidence your solicitor needs to prove your claim
- the tram company or person you are claiming against
- whether the person or company your claim against accepts that they are at fault or disputes this
Will I have to go to court to contest my claim?
It is normal to be unsure whether you will need to go to court to contest a personal injury claim, and the same goes for if your compensation claim is as a result of a tram or metrolink accident.
However, when you make a personal injury claim, it is rare to have to physically go to court with it. With some claims, a court date is set but often the person or organisation you are claiming against will admit it is their fault so the compensation claim will no longer require you to go to court. At National Accident Helpline, as much as 95% of our personal injury claims are settled out of court.
Frequently asked questions...
Your solicitor does the majority of the work throughout your claim, including contacting the responsible party and negotiating on your behalf. This leaves you with the time to focus on your recovery.
However, there are a couple of things you can do to help with your case. Your solicitor may need evidence of your accident, such as photographs or witness names. We realise that it can be difficult to gather this information, but having it before you start your claim could help to make the process simpler.
They will also invite you to take part in a free medical assessment. This is nothing to worry about and usually only takes around 20 minutes. The findings from your assessment will be used to support your compensation claim and can also help you to understand how your recovery is going.
Read more about our free medical assessments.
Legal aid was a method of covering the cost of going to court and getting a fair hearing. In 2000, legal aid was made unavailable for personal injury cases, and instead no win no fee or conditional fee agreements were introduced.
All of our solicitors can help you to make your claim on a no win no fee basis, which means that if your case isn't successful you won't pay a penny.
If your case is successful, you'll pay a fee to your solicitor as a percentage of the amount you receive, and this percentage will have been agreed before starting your claim.
Find out more about legal aid and no win no fee here.
Why choose National Accident Helpline to support my claim?
If you have been part of a tram or metro accident, you may be due compensation so should claim the money you are fairly due for your injury. The tram or Metrolink accident may have occurred where you were a passenger on the tram or a passing car. You might even have been a pedestrian at the time or on your bike. Regardless of the circumstances of the tram or Metrolink accident, you should choose National Accident Helpline to support your claim.
We take pride in using experienced advisors who listen carefully to your accident and show genuine care and understanding. They want to help you with any compensation you may be able to claim. We also have specialist solicitors who are fully experienced in accident claims, so your compensation claim is in safe hands with us.
Let National Accident Helpline help you today by giving us a call at . Alternatively, you can request a call back here or begin your claim online.
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How do I start my claim?
With National Accident Helpline, it is really easy to start your compensation claim for your team or Metrolink accident. You can give us a call today at or if it is easier, you can start the process online here. If you prefer to first get an idea of the compensation amount we can get for you, you can calculate your potential compensation online by using our compensation calculator.
When you begin your tram or Metrolink accident compensation claim with us, the first thing we will do is take a careful look at how the tram or Metrolink accident happened. When we have a good idea about your individual situation one of our specialist solicitors will complete your compensation claim. Then you sit back and wait for the compensation you deserve. At National Accident Helpline, we ensure that your claim process is made as easy and completely stress-free.
If you have had any type of road traffic accident, you could be due personal injury compensation, so give us a call today on . We will start your compensation claim immediately. You can request a call back here if you prefer, or you can make a claim online.