Public transport accident claims

A public transport accident can leave you injured, out of pocket and unsure who's to blame. If you've been hurt on a bus, train, tram or on the underground, you could be entitled to make a public transport accident claim.

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Reviewed by

Sarah Ouko

Partner & Solicitor

Last Updated

21st July 2026

Can I make a public transport accident claim?

You can make a public transport accident claim if an operator, driver or another party failed to keep you safe, and this failure directly caused or contributed to your injury. This could mean being in an avoidable collision on public transport, slipping on a wet platform left without a warning sign, or suffering an injury caused by a poorly secured wheelchair ramp.

It doesn’t matter whether you were seated, standing, boarding or getting off at the time. What matters is whether the operator, or someone else, could reasonably have prevented what happened to you. Injuries on public transport can be serious, and compensation can help you access the care and rehabilitation you need to recover well.

If you’re unsure whether negligence was involved in your public transport accident, or if some time has passed since it happened, it is still worth getting in touch. In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim, though exceptions apply. We’ll give you a clear, honest answer on where you stand.

Example of a public transport accident

A bus pulls away from a bus stop before a passenger has reached their seat. They’re thrown to the floor and fracture their hip. If we can demonstrate that the driver set off too quickly, or failed to wait until passengers were safely seated, this could form the basis of a valid public transport accident claim.

Common public transport claims we support

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4,000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months

What compensation can help with

Woman with prosthetic leg standing near tram in urban area

Recovering lost income and covering future care.

Compensation for a public transport accident is about more than the moment it happened. We look at how the injury has affected your life since, and what support you’ll need in the future, whether that’s next month or in ten years’ time.

For more serious injuries, such as a brain or spinal injury caused by a fall or collision, compensation can fund specialist equipment, long-term care and adapted housing. Whatever the scale of your claim, the goal is the same: protecting your quality of life, now and later.

Several factors affect how much compensation you might receive, including the severity of your injuries, your age, your usual income and the level of ongoing care you need. We’ll walk you through this early on, so you know roughly what to expect.

A successful public transport accident claim may help fund:

Medical treatment and rehabilitation
Mobility aids or home adaptations
Psychological support
Loss of earnings, now and in the future
Care, whether from family or professional carers
Travel costs to and from medical appointments

Understanding the potential value

Settlement value varies enormously depending on your circumstances and the severity of your injury. For example, our public transport solicitors secured £90,000 for a woman who was hit by a bus. The woman, aged in her 60’s, was crossing a road at a pedestrian crossing, when she was struck by a bus. She was more than halfway across the road when the bus, traveling the wrong way through the junction, collided with her. Her injuries were significant, and the lasting effects meant that our client suffered a loss of taste and smell, sensitivity to noise and the need for hearing aids. The value of her settlement allowed her to cover medical and care costs, which she needed as a result of her injury.

Understanding interim payments

Waiting for a claim to conclude can put real financial pressure on you, especially if your injury means that you are unable to work, and medical costs are mounting. Where we can, we’ll apply for interim payments during the claims process on your behalf. Interim payments are released before your final settlement and can cover the costs of rehabilitation, specialist equipment specialist treatment – so you’re not left waiting for the support you need now.

Specialist public transport accident solicitors.

Our public transport accident lawyers have secured compensation for people injured on buses, trains, trams and the underground for almost 40 years.

Why choose Fletchers for your public transport accident claim?

Choosing Fletchers means working with public transport solicitors who've handled cases at every level of severity, from a fall on a bus to a catastrophic public transport collision. Our specialist team, including in-house rehabilitation experts, will work to build the strongest possible case and secure the compensation you deserve.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist public transport and serious injury solicitors with decades of combined experience
Listed with Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners legal directories
In-house rehabilitation team, coordinating early access to medical and therapeutic support
Multi-million-pound settlements secured for clients with life-changing injuries
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we’ve supported
No win no fee, so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We know how disruptive this has been for you.

An accident on public transport often happens during a routine journey, which you likely trusted to be safe. Suffering an accident or injury is the last thing you’d expect, and this can make things even harder to come to terms with. Beyond the injury itself, many people tell us they’ve lost confidence using buses or trains altogether, which can affect work, appointments and everyday routines.

It’s common to feel frustrated too, particularly if you’ve struggled to get straight answers from the transport provider about what happened or who’s responsible. That uncertainty can add to an already stressful time.

We’ve supported many people who felt exactly this way – frustrated and anxious, but also unsure whether their experience was ‘serious enough’ to pursue a public transport accident claim. In every case, our job is to take the legal pressure off you, explain things clearly as we go, and secure the compensation that truly reflects your experience. Wherever you stand, we’re here to help you understand your options.

Happy amputee doing exercises for upper body strength on exercise machine at gym.

Rehabilitation support

We go beyond legal advice to support you, not just your case, making sure the right care and practical help are in place throughout the compensation claim process.

A message from our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team

We work alongside Fletchers Solicitors’ legal experts – listening carefully to your needs, helping you understand what support is available and creating a personalised recovery plan.

Led by rehabilitation manager Julie Chorlton, we bring together expertise across healthcare, therapy and welfare support, and can help arrange access to treatment and financial support. We also work with accredited mental health professionals, giving you and your family access to counselling quickly.

OUR REHABILITATION & WELLBEING TEAM

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FAQs about public transport accident claims

When can I make a public transport claim?

You can make a public transport claim whenever your injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, such as poor vehicle maintenance, careless driving, or a hazard that the responsible party failed to deal with or anticipate. You generally have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim, so it’s worth speaking to us as soon as you can, even if you’re not sure whether you have a case.

What evidence is needed for a public transport accident claim?

Useful evidence includes CCTV footage from the vehicle or station, dashcam footage, witness statements, a logged incident report, photos of the hazard or your injuries, and your medical records. When you start a claim, your public transport accident lawyer will request and organise all of this on your behalf.

Who is responsible for a public transport accident?

This depends on what caused your accident. It might be the transport operator (such as a bus or train company), a local authority responsible for maintaining a station or stop, or another passenger. In some cases, more than one party shares responsibility. We’ll investigate this as part of your claim.

How long does a public transport accident claim take?

This varies depending on how complex your case is, how serious your injuries are, and whether liability is disputed. Straightforward claims can settle in months, while more serious cases, particularly those involving long-term injury, can take longer. We’ll give you a realistic estimate once we understand your circumstances.

Can I claim if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt or was standing?

Yes. Seatbelts aren’t fitted on most forms of public transport, and standing is often expected, particularly on buses and trains. This doesn’t affect your right to claim if the operator was negligent.

How much does it cost to make a public transport accident claim?

We handle public transport accident claims on a no win no fee basis, so there’s nothing to pay upfront. If your claim isn’t successful, you won’t owe us anything. We’ll agree our fee with you in advance, so there are no surprises.

Can I claim for an accident on public transport abroad?

Yes, in many cases. If you’ve been injured on public transport while travelling outside the UK, our international injury team can advise on whether you’re able to claim and which country’s law applies.

Can I make a public transport claim on behalf of a child?

Yes. A parent or legal guardian can make a public transport accident claim on behalf of a child. The usual three-year time limit doesn’t start running until the child turns 18, so there’s more flexibility over when to bring a claim.

Can I make a fatal public transport accident claim?

If you’ve lost a loved one in a public transport accident, our team is here to help. While nothing can undo what’s happened, a fatal accident claim can bring a sense of justice, and financial stability for those left behind.