What are the laws regarding bus accidents?

When using public transport in New South Wales, you are protected by the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017, as well as the Motor Accident Compensation Act 2017. These acts cover accidents that happen on coaches, light rail, tourist coaches and state-provided transit buses.

Every public passenger bus driven on NSW roads must be run by an operator. The operator of the bus service is required by law to have an insurance policy that covers their drivers for any damage they cause.

The Passenger Transport Act 1990 requires bus operators to immediately notify the Office of Transport Safety Investigation (OTSI) of any accidents that involved or resulted in a person being injured, whether that be a passenger or the driver, or both. Even if you feel like the accident was not serious, you should still report it regardless.

You must also ensure that you report the accident to the police within 28 days of the accident occurring and obtain an incident form as well. After obtaining a police report of the incident, a hospital report or both, make sure to fill out a compensation form, which you will find under the ‘Motor Accident Claims Act’ on the New South Wales government website. 

Speak to your employers’ insurer for more advice or get in contact with us at What’s My Claim Worth.

What should you do about your bus accident?

If the worst happens and you are injured while using public transport in New South Wales, there are a few things you must do at the scene to not only protect yourself and others but also ensure you receive compensation later on. 

The first and most important step is to help anyone who is injured. Even if you weren’t driving, you are still bound by law to not abandon the scene. If anyone is seriously injured, do not hesitate to call 000. 

We then recommend a series of measures that should help your compensation case, including recording: 

  • The license plate and registration details of any vehicles involved
  • The names, numbers and addresses of everyone involved, especially the driver
  • The name of the insurance company and operator of the bus
  • The details of any witnesses
  • The details of any attending police officers, including their badge numbers
  • The details of the route travelled and the place where the incident occurred

You should also keep a copy of any police or hospital incident reports.

These details should help strengthen your case and make it easier to verify your story. Ensure that you also fill out a Motor Accident Compensation Claim Form, with a Green Slip from your employer if you have experienced economic loss since the accident. 

To learn more about making a claim for your bus accident, get in contact with What’s My Claim Worth.

When can you make a bus accident claim?

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident and have sustained an injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Whether you were a passenger on a bus, a pedestrian or the driver of another vehicle, you may have grounds to make a claim. Reach out to our team of claim advisors to learn whether your case can progress.

What kind of compensation may you be eligible to receive from your bus accident claim?

Although each case is unique, there are some common damages you may be eligible to claim if you are involved in a bus accident. You may be able to claim compensation for:

  • Medical expenses, including hospital bills, specialist treatment and any ongoing care you may require
  • Economic losses, including lost wages and superannuation, as well as future lost wages if you are unable to work for a period of time after your accident
  • Pain and suffering
  • Care, support and any adaptations required following your accident

Your eligibility to claim compensation for damages will vary based on your situation and the impact that your injuries have had on your life. Get in touch with our team of claim advisors to discuss your case and the different types of compensation you may be entitled to.

How much compensation may you be eligible to receive?

The amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive will vary depending on the circumstances of your bus accident and the injuries you have sustained. The impact your injuries have had on your life since the accident and the perceived impact they will have moving forward will also be considered when determining how much compensation you are entitled to. As every case is different, it can be difficult to determine how much compensation you may receive if your case is successful, but our specialist lawyers will be able to provide you with an estimate once they know more about your claim.

What is the claims process?

What’s My Claim Worth can help you start the process to get the result you need after your public transport accident. Starting this legal process can result in monetary compensation for you, as well as potential disciplinary action for others involved so that someone else will not have to experience the same injuries as you in the future. 

It should be noted that this isn’t necessarily an easy process. Without knowing the particular facts of your situation, it can be very hard to establish your rights in bringing forward a claim for compensation. Start the process today and speak to What’s My Claim Worth to see if your bus accident case can progress.

Why should you choose What’s My Claim Worth?

What’s My Claim Worth’s claim advisors can help you to understand the value of your claim, as well as your eligibility to claim. Once confirmed, we can then put you in touch with the best legal professionals to handle your bus accident case claim — no win, no fee (excluding defendant costs if the claim is litigated).

Frequently asked questions

What type of injuries are commonly experienced in bus accidents?

Although the injuries that you may have sustained may differ, some of the most common injuries experienced in bus accidents include:

  • Whiplash
  • Head injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Bone fractures
  • Lacerations and cuts
  • Internal injuries

Even if the injury you sustained in a bus accident is not included in the list above, you may still have grounds to make a claim. Reach out to our team of claim advisors to see whether your claim could progress.

How much does it cost to make a bus accident claim?

What’s My Claim Worth operates on a no win, no fee basis, meaning that you’ll only be required to pay legal fees if your compensation claim is successful. Before you decide to pursue a bus accident claim, your assigned lawyer will discuss the legal fees you’ll be required to pay if your claim has a positive result. Using this information, you can decide whether to continue with your claim or not.