Bus accidents, seatbelts, and compensation claims

It seems common sense that, in a bus accident, seatbelts would be as useful as they are in any other road traffic accident. Yet it is still true that seatbelts are not compulsory in buses.

While this seems to suggest a lack of joined-up thinking, there is research that suggests that fitting seatbelts in buses and coaches may actually increase the likelihood of passenger injury.

One Canadian report indicated that lap belts would make increase the probability that a bus crash would make passengers more likely to receive personal injury to the head, and that full lap-and-shoulder belts would require stiffer seats, causing a greater risk of personal injury to anyone who was in a collision with one.

UK law, however, does require minibuses to be fitted with seatbelts. Passengers on full-sized buses are only required to wear belts where they are provided, if they are 14 or older. Younger children are supposed to use appropriate restraints if they are available, but it is not compulsory for bus companies to provide child seats.

That law also states that passengers must be alerted to the requirement to wear their belt, either through clear signage or through "an official announcement, or an audio-visual presentation, made when the passenger joins the bus or within a reasonable time of his doing so". Failure to do so may be significant in a passenger injury compensation claim.

Seeking compensation after a bus accident
If you have suffered personal injury in a bus accident, or any other form of passenger injury that was not your fault, we want to hear from you. With years of experience and some of the finest accident compensation solicitors in the UK on our panel, we may well be your best option to claim compensation for any costs or loss of earnings that you have been forced to deal with.

As all our no win, no fee lawyers are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, you can rely on their professionalism. Our very high success rate speaks for itself, and our 100% compensation guarantee means that you can rely on us not to take a cut of your winnings.

We also operate on a completely free basis in passenger accident cases - you are protected from costs before the case is decided, and those costs are charged to your opponent (or our insurance) if we win.

Call us today, on 0800 10 757 95, to find out how we can help in your situation. Alternatively, use our e-chat window, or our online claim form, and we'll discuss your bus accident compensation claim in detail.