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There are roughly 20 million bus trips taken every month* in NSW, and if you’re injured on a bus, you may be able to claim financial compensation. However, one of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that making a bus injury claim will automatically mean they receive everything that they’re entitled to. In our experience, the insurer doesn’t automatically grant you everything that you may be eligible for, and it’s easy to miss out. That’s why it’s important to be aware of all of your options when you’re making a bus injury compensation claim. This guide will cover:
*According to NSW Government transport data
Bus accident injuries can vary. We find that the most common injuries include:
These can be caused by sharp braking and sudden stops, which put you at risk of whiplash injuries or serious falls. Common bus passenger injuries involve slips and falls that cause breaks, fractures, cuts, or tears in muscles or tendons.
It’s also possible to get injured while boarding or dismounting the bus. If you slip over or trip on the step you can suffer injuries like broken bones, fractures, tears, or head injuries.
If you’re a passenger in another vehicle that’s hit by a bus, or on a bus that’s involved in an accident, you’re at risk of experiencing severe whiplash, neck and spine injuries, and head trauma.
If you’re hit by a bus, you may be able to make a claim. It’s also possible to be knocked or bumped by a bus as it pulls out from a stop, so if this has happened to you, then you may be eligible to receive bus injury compensation.
Not all injuries are physical. If you’re involved in or witness a bus accident it can cause you to develop psychological injuries like PTSD, anxiety, or depression, which can impact your life just as significantly as a physical injury. In these cases, you’re still eligible to make a claim.
Brooklyn was out walking when she witnessed a woman who was being dragged underneath a bus. She was able to stop the driver and help administer first aid to the woman, who later had both legs amputated. While Brooklyn’s help likely saved the woman’s life, it left Brooklyn with debilitating mental injuries, which she was able to make a claim for. You can read Brooklyn’s story here.
If you’re unsure about what claim type is most appropriate, need help appealing a denied claim, or you don’t know where to start, Law Partners has bus accident lawyers who’ll be able to give you the best advice. You can contact us now for some personalised information about your situation, free of charge. For more information, see our public transport accident claims guide.
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Get startedAccording to SIRA (the State Insurance Regulatory Authority), in the 12 months to January 2024, there were 12,398 motor accident injury claims reported in NSW and $1.35 billion was paid out in benefits and lump sums. That’s $108,889 paid out for every new claim reported.* Your specific compensation amount will depend on the injuries you’ve suffered and the impact they’ve had on your life. If you’d like to know how much you may be entitled to claim, you can try our CTP calculator.
Wei was injured on a public bus and was uncertain about making a claim because she doesn’t speak English. Her daughter and the translators that Law Partners provided allowed her to make a claim to receive all the compensation that she was entitled to. Her bus injury claim amount came to $250,000 and has allowed her to fully focus on recovery. You can read Wei’s story here.
Whatever your circumstances, being injured can impact every part of your life, and there are safety nets in place to protect you in the case of an injury. This list offers an overview of what you may be entitled to claim for:
Many factors influence a final payment, like who was at fault, if negligence was involved, and the extent of the impact on your life. For a further breakdown of what you may be eligible for, see our public transport claims guide.
*Based on SIRA Open Data, February 2024
If you’re injured in any incident involving a bus, you’re likely eligible to make a bus accident claim. The insurer will cover any payments you’re entitled to, but you won’t automatically receive everything that you’re eligible for, so it’s important that you’re aware of your rights. If you don’t agree with their decision or need to appeal a denied claim, having a lawyer on your side will give you the best chance of success.
You have 28 days to report the accident to the police if they weren’t already at the scene, and then you’ll need the police report to make a bus injury compensation claim within three years of the incident. There’s sometimes flexibility with this time limit, so if you’re worried that you’ve missed your chance, get in touch with one of our bus accident lawyers today to find out what your options are.
If you’re injured on a bus, you can speak to one of our bus accident lawyers for free, personal advice about your entitlements. A bus accident compensation claim could protect you from the financial impact of lost wages if you’re unable to work, medical and travel costs, and in some cases may even provide a lump sum payout.
At Law Partners, we have extensive experience in public transport accident claims and can make sure that you’re not missing out on any of the bus injury compensation that you’re entitled to. Our bus accident lawyers are experienced with cases just like yours and can offer you some free advice about your situation. Call us today on 13 15 15 or tell us a bit about your case and we’ll get in touch with you.
Tanja Maksimovic
Managing Solicitor
An accredited specialist in personal injury law, backed by over 10 years’ experience in assisting injured Australians receive everything they’re entitled to with their motor accident claim.
Our senior lawyers will assess your case for free.
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