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      What is a bus accident claim?

      For thousands of Australians, buses are a daily necessity. But with so many buses on the road, accidents happen more often than you might think. If you’re a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to make a motor accident claim. Importantly, you can claim for injuries that happen on both public and private buses.

      In cases where you’re driving a bus for work, you might also have a workers compensation or common law claim. For permanent injuries, you could qualify for a Total and Permanent Disability benefit through your superannuation policy.

      If the accident happened at a bus stop or other public transport hub, you may be eligible for a public liability claim instead.

      In this guide, we’ll focus on motor accident claims, since they make up the majority of bus accident cases. But whatever your situation or the specifics of your accident, we’re here to help. With over 25 years’ experience in bus accident claims, we’ll secure the compensation you deserve.

      Start your free online claim check

      Find out if you’re eligible for bus accident compensation today.

      Check your claim nowIt only takes 2 minutes.

      Common examples of bus accident claims

      Over the years, we’ve handled hundreds of bus accident claims. In our experience, some of the most common are:

      • Dangerous acceleration or deceleration of the bus.
      • Collisions between the bus and other vehicles or objects.
      • Faulty facilities on the bus, such as broken seats.
      • Slipping hazards like wet floors.
      • Pedestrians being struck by a bus.
      • Accidents due to poorly maintained roads or infrastructure.
      • Psychological injuries from being involved in or witnessing a bus accident.

      What to do after a bus accident

      1. Gather essential information: If your injuries are serious, prioritise getting medical treatment. However, if your injuries are minor and it’s safe to do so, jot down the bus registration number, the time of the accident, the location, and the bus driver’s name. Take as many photos of the bus and accident scene as possible. If you can, get statements from witnesses or their contact details for follow-up.
      2. Seek medical treatment: If you haven’t already, make sure to get medical treatment for your injuries, no matter how minor they seem. This is crucial for your health and provides important evidence for your claim.
      3. Report the accident: Notify the bus company as soon as possible, ensuring you record the name of the person you speak with. You should then file a police report within 24 hours of the accident. If your vehicle was involved in the bus accident, it’s important to also notify your insurer.
      4. Obtain witness statements: If you didn’t collect statements at the scene, reach out to other passengers, the bus driver, or any witnesses. Record their statements and gather their contact details for potential follow-up or for swearing their statements at a later date.
      5. Speak to a Lawyer: We strongly suggest consulting with an expert bus accident lawyer. In a free consultation, we’ll explain your entitlements and the best strategy for maximising your compensation. We can also interview witnesses and compile strong medical and liability evidence on your behalf, giving your claim the greatest chance of success.

      How much compensation will I get?

      • Lost income: both past and future earnings, including superannuation.
      • Care and support: professional care or support provided by family or friends, plus compensation if you’re unable to care for someone who depends on you.
      • Pain and suffering: the negative physical and mental impact of the injury on your life.
      • Other injury-related costs: medical expenses, travel costs, and any injury-related modifications needed for your home or vehicle.

      For a more detailed breakdown of how much you could receive, head to our complete guide to motor accident compensation.

      Do time limits apply to my bus accident claim?

      Yes, strict time limits apply to all bus accident claims.

      In NSW, you have 28 days to report the accident to the police. After that, you must submit an Application for Personal Injury Benefits form within three months. This form should be filed with the Personal Injury Commission.

      If you’ve missed the deadline for filing your claim, there’s no need to stress. Our experienced bus accident lawyers are well-versed in the exceptions and extensions available in each state. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of clients get their delayed claims approved.

      How much will my bus accident claim cost?

      The cost of your claim depends on its complexity and how long it takes to resolve. But no matter your situation, you’re always protected by our No Win No Fee guarantee.

      • Zero financial risk: we cover all costs, including expert evidence, legal fees, and administrative expenses — and there’s nothing to pay unless we win your claim.
      • Transparent fees: you’ll get a clear breakdown of our fees upfront.
      • Avoid court costs: we specialise in settling claims through mediation, saving you the time, stress, and expense of going to court.
      • Reduced legal fees: in most cases, we recover our legal fees from the other party, meaning you keep more of your compensation.
      • 90-day risk-free trial: try our services risk-free for 90 days. If you cancel at any time during this period, you won’t be charged.
      Find out more about our fees

      Injured while driving a bus for work in NSW?

      All NSW workers compensation claims are funded by the Independent Review Office. That means you won’t pay a cent for our work on your bus accident workers compensation claim. It’s that simple.

      Find out more

      Frequently asked questions

      You can claim compensation for injuries from any bus accident, regardless of whether you were the bus driver, a passenger, a cyclist, a pedestrian, or another driver involved in the incident.

      Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of people injured in bus accidents make successful claims. Some of the most common injuries we’ve seen include:

      • Whiplash and neck injuries, particularly from rear-end collisions.
      • Broken bones.
      • Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
      • Spinal cord injuries that can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
      • Cuts and lacerations from broken glass or debris.
      • Bruises and contusions from collisions with the bus interior.
      • Anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to the emotional impact of the accident.
      • Long-term disabilities that affect your ability to work.
      • Pre-existing conditions worsened by the accident.

      This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you were injured in a bus accident, it’s likely you have a claim. To confirm if you’re eligible for compensation, speak to one of our expert bus accident lawyers today.

      If your bus accident claim is successful, compensation will typically be paid by the bus operator’s insurance company. All bus companies are insured to cover their drivers in case of accidents, meaning the individual driver will not be personally liable for the payment.

      As part of our complete service, we uncover any additional claims you might have, beyond your initial bus accident claim. These include workers compensation, common law negligence, income protection and Total and Permanent Disability claims.

      Below, we run through the basics of each type, including eligibility criteria and how much compensation you could receive.

      1. Workers compensation claims

      If you were driving a bus for work during your accident, you might be eligible for a workers compensation claim. This compensation can cover:

      • Lost earnings: up to 95% of your pre-injury income.
      • Medical expenses: including hospital stays, medical treatments, and rehabilitation.
      • Support services: rehabilitation, counselling, and other necessary support.
      • Travel expenses: costs related to travel for medical appointments or treatments.

      If your injuries are permanent, you may also qualify for an additional lump sum payment. Generally, you need to meet your state’s minimum impairment threshold to be eligible for this lump sum.

      For instance, in NSW, you must have more than 11% Whole Person Impairment (WPI) to qualify for a lump sum payment. For detailed information on claiming a permanent impairment payment, check out our guide to lump sum workers compensation.

      Looking to start your claim now? Head to our easy five-step guide to make a workers compensation claim or speak to one of our expert lawyers today.

      1. Common law claims

      You may be eligible for a workplace common law claim if you meet these two conditions:

      • You were working at the time of the bus accident: this includes being on duty, driving between work sites, or commuting between work and home.
      • Your employer’s negligence contributed to the accident: this means your employer failed to ensure your safety. Examples include poor bus maintenance or inadequate driver training.

      A successful common law claim can provide a substantial lump sum compensation, covering future lost wages, medical expenses, and more. However, pursuing this claim will usually end your eligibility for weekly workers compensation payments.

      Before moving forward, we strongly recommend talking to an experienced bus accident lawyer. We can help you understand your options and ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to.

      1. Income protection claims

      If you’re temporarily unable to work due to the bus accident, you might be entitled to income protection payments. Depending on your situation, you could receive:

      • Regular wage-replacement payments (usually made monthly).
      • Up to 75% of your regular income, including superannuation.
      • Payments for a specified period, such as 2 years, 10 years, or until retirement age.
      1. Total and Permanent Disability (TPD)

      If your bus accident injury permanently prevents you from returning to work, you might be eligible for a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim. Unlike income protection or weekly workers compensation payments, a TPD benefit provides a substantial lump sum designed to support you for life. This coverage is often included in your superannuation policy, so you might already have this insurance without realising it.

      Meet the team

      Our team use their extensive experience to increase your chances of success. We’ve won many awards for our work, including ‘Compensation Law Firm of the Year 2020 GBM Global Awards.’

      Leon Monaco
      Managing Partner
      • English
      • Workers Compensation, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Public Liability, Medical Negligence
      View full bio
      Nancy Kuan
      Special Counsel
      • English
      • Family Provision Claims, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Public Liability
      View full bio
      Vanessa Azzi
      Senior Associate
      • English, Arabic
      • Motor Vehicle Accidents, Public Liability, Work Injury Damages
      View full bio
      Kathryn Morcos
      Solicitor
      • English
      • Family Provision Claims, Public Liability, Motor Vehicle Accidents
      View full bio
      Madeleine Jennings
      Paralegal
      • English
      • Family Provision Claims, Public Liability, Motor Vehicle Accident, Product Liability
      View full bio
      Meet more of the team

      Get free legal advice

      Find out if you have a claim today.

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      When you walk through our doors, our top priority is to help you as much as we can. This commitment is shown in over 200 5-star reviews.

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      Monaco helped me get much more compensation than I expected.

      Monaco Lawyers helped me to receive compensation for an ongoing injury I sustained after I was simply driving home from work and was driven into head on by an incompetent and negligent driver who I believe was texting at the time of the accident.

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      I am forever thankful! God bless you for being there for me whenever I called.

      Monaco Compensation Lawyers are second to no-one. Anthony and his team were there for me every step of the way. When I got disheartened or down, I would make one phone call to the team at Monaco Solicitors, and they were there for me instantly—reassuring me and consoling me.

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      My brothers and I had a complicated claim. I found Ben Ralph to be very helpful, himself and Sally Sutton worked hard for just over a year to get through our claim. They achieved a good result and got the monies paid to myself and my brothers.

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      Great communication, empathy and understanding. My case worker Daniella was a saint, understanding and patient and always passing on any updates in record time.

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      I knew it from the very first phone call: I had found a compassionate law firm.

      Monaco Solicitors, I have no hesitation in recommending Daniella Dababneh and her team. After I suffered a serious workplace accident, I was in need of legal help.

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      They helped me juggle my injury claim and my mum's full-time care.

      I highly recommend Monaco Solicitors. I was claiming PI through my superannuation for workplace injuries. They were doing a no win no fee which was great as I am a carer for my mum and don’t earn much.

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      Monaco is the place to go for a lawyer that cares. You're in safe hands.

      They helped me when I needed it the most. Monaco are very informative and genuinely care about the outcome of your matter. Navigating the CTP, ICP and TPD system can be very overwhelming. They reduce this where every they can.

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      I'm glad my friend recommended Monaco. I was happy with the result.

      Green Slip Claim: I switched from another Law firm to Monaco on advice from a friend. I am so glad I did, within weeks I was sent off for further scans which led to proof of the pain I was in. All throughout the claim process I was kept up to date. Once settled I was more than happy with the end result. I would definitely recommend Monaco Compensation Lawyers, thanks.

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      The bill? Surprisingly reasonable, less than expected.

      Sally was very helpful and always kept me up-to-date so if you ever use Monaco Solicitors just make sure you get Sally she’s very good. And the bill was very reasonable I thought it would be higher.

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      My father originally found Monaco online for super claims,. They had discussed with him in great detail the processes and had been kind and very helpful a few years ago. When needing help with my mothers super claim I knew I could trust Monaco again.

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      How we can help you

      For over 25 years, we’ve helped people injured in bus accidents get the compensation they deserve. Whether you’re a passenger, pedestrian, driver, or driving a bus for work, we have the expertise to prove your bus accident claim.

      As part of our comprehensive service, we will always:

      • Clarify your rights and what you can claim.
      • Collect strong evidence of your injuries and the bus driver or company’s negligence.
      • Negotiate with the bus company’s insurer on your behalf.
      • Appeal your claim if it’s denied or the insurer offers an unfair settlement.
      • Identify additional claims, such as workers compensation payments or a TPD benefit.
      • Ensure you receive compensation for the full financial and emotional impact of your injuries.

      Speak to one of our friendly lawyers

      Email us 1300 769 665

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