Minibuses are used to transport groups of people in many different settings and for various purposes; from school, voluntary, local authority and leisure group activities to sporting clubs, workplace outings and private parties. If the number of passengers is greater than seven but not more than 16, it is likely that a minibus will be the vehicle of choice.
For the most part minibuses are safe—for every mile travelled minibus passengers are less likely to be injured than the passengers of cars. However, minibus accidents can and do occur.
Any minibus service operator has a duty of care under health and safety law to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to keep passengers safe on minibus journeys.
It is an offence under UK law for an operator to allow a minibus to be driven on a road when its condition could cause harm to a passenger, driver or other road user. As such, minibus operators are required to conduct suitable risk assessments and vehicle checks to make sure that drivers are safe, fit and competent, and that the vehicle is safe and fit-for-purpose. Regular maintenance and record-keeping must be carried out in order to fulfil these responsibilities.
If you or someone close to you has sustained injury in a minibus accident, the personal injury solicitors at Thompsons in Scotland can help you make a mini bus crash claim to ensure compensation for your pain, injury, lost earnings and medical expenses.
Minibus Risk Assessments
According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, minibus health and safety officers should consider all possible risks as part of a risk assessment for minibus use, including the following:
- Potential hazards
- The likelihood of a hazard occurring
- The likely severity of any injury or property damage
- Who might be affected
- Existing safety measures
- New safety measures that might be needed
- How safety measures are implemented
- Emergency procedures
There should be generic risk assessments for certain aspects of minibus use which should include driver training, passenger behaviour, parental consent and minibus maintenance etc. plus individual risk assessments for specific journeys.
January 2019 Minibus Crash in Skye
On 16 January 2019 three people were taken to hospital following a minibus crash on Skye on the A855 Staffin road. None of the other passengers sustained serious personal injury.
January 2019 Minibus Crash in Perthshire
Also on 16 January 2019 a minibus driver sustained fatal injuries in road accident on the A90 in Perthshire. The 60-year-old died after her minibus collided with a lorry on the dual carriageway near St Madoes.
December 2018 Scottish Borders Minibus Accident
On 29 December 2018 one man suffered fatal injury and 23 people were injured when a minibus overturned in the Scottish Borders on the A6089 between Newtongrange to Kelso.
The driver and 22 passengers were treated at various hospitals including Borders General Hospital in Melrose, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
December 2018 Minibus Accident near Fraserburgh
On 18 December 2018 one person needed hospital treatment following a crash involving a school minibus and a lorry at Mid Ardlaw, Aberdeenshire. No pupils were on board at the time of the incident.
July 2018 Minibus Crash in Orkney
On 27July 2018 five people, including a four-year-old boy, were killed in a crash involving a minibus and a 4x4 vehicle on the A96 in Moray.
Minibus Crash Claims in Scotland
If you have been injured in a minibus crash, the personal injury claims lawyers at Thompsons can advise you as to your rights, options and possible entitlement to compensation for your injuries.
To find out more about making a compensation claim following a road accident, please visit our FAQs page.
Our No Win, No Fee package has been created so that you don't have to worry about the possibility of any financial risk when making a claim.
For more information, call us today on 0800 0891 331.
