Family of woman in bus accident to seek compensation

Posted 08/08/2010

The family of a woman who died after hitting her head on the coin machine in a bus is to seek compensation for their loss.

Julie Layton, 37, had been riding the number 18 bus in Birmingham’s Yardley Wood area when the accident occurred, the Birmingham Mail reports.

It is thought she was standing up on the vehicle, but fell into the jutting-out piece of equipment, suffering serious back and neck injuries.

Ms Layton died three weeks later and her uncle Dave Brown said the family will be taking legal action against National Express.

‘Our thoughts remain with the family at this sad time. The processes in place to deal with the family’s case will now be followed,’ said a spokesperson for the bus and coach company.

Anyone who suffers an injury due to poor driving or from being thrown from their seat on a bus may be entitled to personal injury compensation and should seek the advice of a solicitor as soon as possible.

Simon Davis, a partner in Ashtons Legal’s personal injury team, adds: ‘Plane and train crashes tend to be few and far between but attract maximum publicity when they do occur.

‘From a personal injury viewpoint, incidents involving passengers on buses or in taxis are much more common, although in the main the injuries are more likely to include whiplash or back pain than to result in death as is being alleged here.’