Bus and taxi accident claims Scotland
As a passenger on a bus, taxi, Uber, or other public or private hire vehicle, you are entitled to expect a reasonable standard of care from the driver. If you were injured through the driver's negligence or through the fault of another road user, you can claim compensation.
Passengers are almost always in a strong legal position because they bear no responsibility for causing the accident. You simply need to show that an injury occurred and that someone else was at fault.
TL;DR: You have three years from the date of the accident to start your claim. No Win No Fee applies. Call 0800 123 4567 for a free assessment.
What types of bus and taxi accidents can lead to a claim?
Any accident in which you suffered an injury as a passenger, and which was caused by negligence, can lead to a claim. Common scenarios include:
- A bus driver braking sharply or accelerating suddenly, causing you to fall
- A bus colliding with another vehicle due to the bus driver's negligence
- A taxi driver losing control of the vehicle or driving dangerously
- A taxi or Uber involved in a collision caused by the driver
- An accident caused by another driver, where the bus or taxi driver had no fault
- Falling on a bus due to a wet or obstructed floor that the operator failed to make safe
- A coach accident on a private hire journey
Can you claim against the bus company or taxi firm?
Yes. Transport providers and private hire firms have a duty of care to their passengers and are responsible for the actions of their drivers during the course of employment.
Bus operators
Larger bus operators (such as First Bus, Lothian Buses, McGill's, Stagecoach Scotland, and Scottish Citylink) are required to hold public liability insurance and motor insurance. A claim for personal injury by a passenger is typically made against the operator's insurer.
Local authority-operated transport services are also subject to claims in the same way.
Taxis and private hire vehicles
Taxis and private hire vehicles licensed under Scottish licensing law (by the relevant local authority in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and other areas) are required to hold motor insurance and public hire or private hire licences. A passenger injured in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle can claim against the driver's insurer.
Uber and other app-based services
Uber and similar platforms operating in Scotland must comply with private hire licensing requirements. Uber drivers in Scotland are required to hold appropriate insurance. Where a passenger is injured in an Uber, the claim is typically made against the driver's insurance policy. The platform's own insurance may also be relevant depending on the circumstances.
Who is liable if another vehicle caused the accident?
If the accident was caused by another driver (for example, a car that ran a red light and struck your bus), you can claim against that driver's insurer. You are not limited to claiming against the bus or taxi company. Your solicitor will identify all potentially liable parties and advise on the best approach.
What injuries are common in bus and taxi accidents?
Because passengers in buses and taxis are typically seated (and often without a seatbelt in older vehicles), the injuries sustained can range from minor to severe:
- Whiplash and soft-tissue neck injuries
- Back and shoulder injuries from sudden impact
- Head injuries from striking seat backs, windows or overhead fittings
- Fractured bones from falls on buses
- Soft-tissue injuries from bracing during impact
- Psychological injuries including PTSD and anxiety
How much compensation can you receive as an injured bus or taxi passenger?
Compensation covers your injury (general damages) and your financial losses (special damages), including lost earnings, medical expenses, and travel costs.
Indicative compensation ranges
| Injury type | Approximate range |
|---|---|
| Minor whiplash, full recovery within months | £1,000 to £7,400 |
| Moderate neck or back injury with some lasting effects | £7,400 to £30,000 |
| Serious injury with significant ongoing consequences | £30,000 to £100,000+ |
All figures are ranges, not guarantees. Your actual compensation depends on the nature and severity of your injury and your individual financial losses.
Scotland's rules for bus and taxi accident claims
No whiplash tariff in Scotland
Scotland does not apply the whiplash tariff introduced in England in 2021. Scottish bus and taxi passengers who suffer whiplash injuries are not subject to fixed caps. Compensation is assessed based on actual injury severity, as in any other personal injury claim.
Three-year time limit
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, you have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim. Children under 16 at the time of the accident have until their 19th birthday.
Contributory negligence
As a passenger, contributory negligence rarely applies unless you were doing something that contributed to your own injury (for example, standing on a moving bus against driver instructions, or failing to hold on when the vehicle was in motion). In most passenger claims, the claimant bears no fault.
How does a bus or taxi accident claim work in Scotland?
Step 1: Free assessment
A solicitor reviews the circumstances of the accident and advises on your claim.
Step 2: Evidence gathering
Useful evidence includes: CCTV footage from the vehicle (buses typically have CCTV, as do many taxis), police accident reports, witness contact details, medical records, and photographs of any injuries.
Step 3: Pre-Action Protocol
A letter of claim is sent to the transport operator or their insurer. The insurer has three months to investigate and respond.
Step 4: Settlement or court proceedings
Most claims settle without going to court. If liability is disputed or an adequate offer is not made, proceedings can be raised.
Is a bus or taxi accident claim handled on No Win No Fee?
Yes:
- You pay nothing to start your claim
- You pay nothing if your claim does not succeed
- If your claim succeeds, you keep 100% of your compensation
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to report the accident to get my claim to succeed? It is advisable to report the accident to the bus or taxi company as soon as possible, and to the police if the accident involved another vehicle. However, the absence of a formal report does not prevent you from making a claim. Your solicitor will work with whatever evidence is available.
What if I did not get the driver's details? The bus or taxi company can usually be identified from the vehicle registration number or the livery on the vehicle. For taxis, the local authority licence plate on the vehicle identifies the operator. Your solicitor will trace the relevant insurer.
Can I claim if I was standing on a bus when it braked? Yes, if the driver braked unreasonably sharply without good cause. However, if you chose to stand on a moving bus and a fall resulted from a normal braking event, contributory negligence may apply to reduce your compensation.
What if the bus company denies liability? Your solicitor will gather evidence (including CCTV, accident reports, and witness evidence) to support your case and, if necessary, raise court proceedings to resolve the dispute.
Can I claim if I was injured getting on or off a bus? Yes. The duty of care extends to safe boarding and alighting. If the driver pulled away before you had safely boarded or alighted, or if the vehicle was parked in an unsafe position, you may have a claim.
How long does a bus or taxi accident claim take? Straightforward claims with admitted liability often settle within 6 to 12 months. Cases involving dispute over liability or serious injury may take longer.
Start your claim today
If you were injured as a passenger on a bus, taxi, Uber, coach or other vehicle in Scotland, contact us for a free assessment.
Call 0800 123 4567 or start your free claim assessment online.
Our solicitors are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland and handle passenger injury claims across Scotland on a No Win No Fee basis.
