What is a Bus Accidents Claim?
Bus accident claims cover injuries caused by public bus, coach, or minibus operations. Passenger claims include slip injuries on wet floors, falls caused by sudden braking, and collisions. Third-party claims cover motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians injured by bus drivers. The responsible operator is usually Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, Go-Ahead, or a private operator.
Am I Entitled to Claim?
Bus operators owe passengers the highest duty of care, similar to other common carriers. You may claim if you were injured because the driver braked or accelerated abruptly without warning, the bus was poorly maintained, the floor was wet without warning signage, the driver failed to wait for you to be seated, or the driver collided with another vehicle or pedestrian.
Step-by-Step Process
Stay on the Bus
If safe, remain on the bus and notify the driver. Do not get off without reporting.
Report In Writing
Make a formal report to the operator within 24 hours. Request a reference number.
Medical Care
Attend A&E or your GP. Falls on buses commonly cause back and neck injuries with delayed onset.
Gather Evidence
Get witness details. Many buses have CCTV, so request preservation in writing.
Contact Keans
We formally request CCTV footage and incident reports from the operator.
Claim Resolution
Through IRB or court. Operators like Dublin Bus have specialised claims handling teams.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
The stronger the evidence, the more straightforward the claim. Where possible, gather the following:
- The bus operator, route number, and journey details
- Time, date, and specific location of the incident
- Names and details of the driver and any witnesses
- Formal incident report reference from the operator
- Written request for CCTV preservation
- Photos of any hazard on the bus (wet floor, broken seat, missing handrail)
- Medical records and A&E attendance notes
Compensation Ranges
Based on the Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines 2021. Awards may also include special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, and future care needs. Exact value depends on your specific injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if the driver braked unnecessarily or without warning. Drivers are trained to brake smoothly for passenger safety. Emergency braking to avoid a collision may provide a defence, but needless harsh braking generally does not. CCTV usually resolves the question.
Operators typically retain CCTV for 28 days, sometimes less. We send a written preservation request within days of being instructed, so the footage is retained while your claim is being prepared.
The claim is against the bus operator as employer of the driver, and their commercial motor insurance. Bus operators carry high levels of insurance specifically for these claims and they are usually resolved efficiently through the IRB.
Yes. A parent or guardian acts as next friend for any child passenger. Bus Eireann School Transport and private contractors all carry insurance for passenger injury. The two-year limitation does not start running for a minor until their 18th birthday.
Two years from the date of the accident or the date you first became aware of the injury. Certain exceptions apply for minors and cases involving delayed discovery, but the two-year limit is the default. Miss it and your claim is statute barred, so contact a solicitor early.
No. The initial consultation at Keans is free. For personal injury cases we discuss all fees in writing before work begins. In contentious business, Irish law prevents solicitors from calculating fees as a percentage of your award or settlement.