Bus & coach accident claims in Belfast & Northern Ireland

Why bus accidents happen on Northern Ireland’s roads

Bus accidents can result in injuries and disruptions, not just to passengers but also to pedestrians, cyclists, other road users and the bus driver. If you have been involved in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

Bus accidents can occur for various reasons, all of which can result in passenger injuries or injuries to other road users. Common causes include:

• Sudden stops
• Collisions with other vehicles
• Slips and trips on the bus
• Injuries when boarding or alighting

Your rights following a bus or coach accident in Northern Ireland

All bus and coach operators in Northern Ireland have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their passengers and the public. This duty of care means maintaining vehicles properly, training staff adequately and implementing effective safety protocols.

If an accident occurs due to the failure of these responsibilities, injured parties can pursue claims for compensation.

Are bus operators always liable when a bus accident occurs?

In Northern Ireland, the person or entity that caused the road traffic accident is liable for the damages.

If another road user was at fault, they will be liable.

As bus passengers are not in control of any of the vehicles involved, it is unlikely that they will be liable for an accident occurring. However, in some special circumstances, they could be held partly liable. For example, they distracted the driver or were behaving in such a way that could risk injury.

Claiming for compensation following a bus accident

Those injured in a bus accident have the same rights as any other road user in Northern Ireland. When a bus passenger is involved in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, they have the right to pursue compensation.

A bus accident claim might seek to compensate for:

• Pain & Suffering: This includes compensation for physical injuries and the emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Vehicle Repair or Replacement: In cases where another driver’s vehicle was damaged due to the negligence of a bus driver.
• Loss of Earnings: If the injuries sustained prevent the passenger, pedestrian or other road user from working, compensation for lost wages can be claimed.
• Medical Treatment: This can cover expenses for treatments related to injuries from the accident, including physiotherapy if required.

These rights ensure that bus passengers who are victims of road accidents can seek fair compensation to cover their losses and aid in their recovery.

We are Belfast-based bus & coach accident claims experts

We are Belfast-based bus accident claims specialists, ready to assist regardless of whether the bus is operated by a private company or Translink owned. We handle claims for all public and private bus services throughout Northern Ireland.

If you were involved in a bus accident, our team is prepared to guide you through the claims process, helping you secure the compensation you are entitled to. Contact Us to arrange an initial consultation.

Beware of third-party capture following a bus accident

If you were a passenger on a bus and the bus driver or bus operator was at fault, you could be contacted by the operator or their representatives with offers of compensation.

This is known as third-party capture and rarely has your best interest at heart. It is important that you obtain independent legal advice before accepting any offers or deciding whether you would like to claim or not.

To learn more, read: The dangers of third party capture

Have you been involved in a bus accident in Northern Ireland? We can help  

We have one of the largest and most trusted road traffic accident claims departments in Northern Ireland. We are well positioned to act for bus passengers, pedestrians and all other road users following an accident.

Visit Road Traffic Accident Claims to learn more or Contact Us for the benefit of a free initial consultation.