What to Do After a Public Transport Accident
Every day, millions of people across the UK use public transport such as buses, trains, trams, and taxis without giving it a second thought. Whether you are commuting to work, travelling to an appointment, or sending your child off to school, you are placing your trust in those operators to keep you safe. If something goes wrong and an accident happens, the experience can be deeply distressing, especially if you or a loved one is injured because of that accident.
Public transport operators have a legal duty to look after their passengers. When that duty of care isn’t met, and you have been injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.
In this blog, our personal injury team outlines the key steps you should take following a public transport accident and the process of making a claim for compensation.
- Report the accident as soon as you can
Once you are safe, let someone know what has happened. That could be to the driver, a conductor, or another member of staff. Ask for the incident to be logged properly and request a reference number if one is available. This creates an official record of the incident, which can be crucial later on if you decide to make a personal injury claim.
If it is possible to do so, make a note of the basics while they are still fresh in your mind. Details such as the vehicle number, the route you were on, and the date and time of the accident. These pieces of information may seem insignificant, but they can prove useful later on when a claim is being investigated.
- Collect evidence while you are there
If your injuries allow, try to gather as much evidence at the scene. Photos can be particularly helpful in documenting what happened. Photograph any visible injuries, where the accident happened, and anything that may have contributed to the accident, such as a wet floor, a hazard on or near the vehicle, or details of the other road users if the accident was caused by another driver.
It’s also worth speaking to anyone who saw what happened. If they’re willing, take their contact details. Independent witnesses can provide valuable support for your version of events, especially when statements are taken shortly after the accident.
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel “okay”
Some injuries are more obvious than others, so even if you feel okay, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible following the accident. What feels like a minor ache or pain at first, particularly those to the head, neck, and back, can sometimes turn into something more serious over the following days.
Seeing a doctor or being assessed by a medical professional not only ensures your wellbeing, but it also creates a medical record that clearly links your injuries to the accident. Accurate medical notes are key aspects of any compensation claim.
- Keep all of your paperwork and receipts
Keep a record of everything related to your injury and recovery. This includes doctors’ notes, medical records, and details of treatments and prescriptions. You should also keep receipts for any costs you have had to cover, such as travel to medical appointments and medication costs. If you have not been able to work due to your injuries, keep track of any lost earnings. Recording these expenses can form part of what is known as your ‘special damages’ and can be added to the overall value of your compensation claim. Our team will help you understand this more clearly and guide you through the process of gathering the right information.
Contact The Personal Injury People
If you have been injured in a public transport accident and would like to speak to a solicitor about making a claim, please contact The Personal Injury People.
Our highly experienced RTA solicitors have extensive knowledge of public transport accident claims and will guide you through every stage of the process. Whether you were injured on a bus, train, tram, taxi, or any other form of public transport, we are here to help you.
Please call 0800 731 7555 or email info@thepersonalinjurypeople.co.uk. Alternatively, fill in our contact form.
About Russell & Russell Solicitors
The Personal Injury People is a specialist personal injury site which is owned and operated by Russell & Russell Solicitors, an established law firm that has been providing legal advice since 1887.
Many of our Solicitors have over 20 years’ experience handling personal injury claims, and the firm has secured the national Law Society’s legal practice quality mark, Lexcel. Lexcel is developed specifically for the legal profession. It is an optional, recognised accreditation scheme for law firms and in-house legal departments, assuring that a practice meets high client care and business management standards.
This article is not intended to be taken as advice or acted upon, and information may have changed since publication.