Legal Specialists Also Call On Authorities To Work Quickly To Investigate Crash

Specialist lawyers representing victims of major bus collisions in the UK and abroad have urged authorities in Sussex to ensure the welfare of the victims of the double-decker bus collision in Brighton this week is the top priority, as investigations into the crash continue.
 
Eighteen people were taken to hospital following the alleged collision involving two Brighton and Hove Buses vehicles on Monday morning (July 6th) on the city’s North Street, with five remaining in hospital overnight and one believed to have life-threatening injuries.
 
South East Coast Ambulance Service also stated that many other people affected were checked over by its staff for minor injuries before being discharged at the scene.

Brighton and Hove Buses yesterday (March 7th) released a statement outlining that a driver on one of the buses reported feeling unwell to his supervisor prior to his shift, but he allegedly then advised he was fine to drive.
 
Serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have vast experience in representing both victims and the loved ones of those affected by major bus and coach collisions, including notably acting for the families of 15 children injured when in a head-on coach crash in County Durham in June last year.
 
The experts are also continuing work to gain justice for victims of a coach crash in France in February 2012, which involved a vehicle carrying staff and pupils from Alvechurch School in Worcestershire.

Expert Opinion

“It is incredibly worrying to see such an incident occur in a busy city centre and at present the top priority has to be ensuring that all of those affected are provided with the support they require to overcome both the physical and psychological trauma they have endured.

“Through our work on similar cases, we have seen how such crashes can have a long-term impact on those involved – often meaning they require access to specialist support to aid their rehabilitation and recovery from the injuries they have suffered.

“All of those involved and the wider community in Brighton will also be keen for answers regarding how this incident came to occur, so it is vital that Sussex Police continue to work closely with the bus operator to quickly develop a full picture of the circumstances regarding the crash

“The information which has emerged regarding the apparent decision of the driver to work despite previously reporting he was ill is an area which will particularly require further investigation. Anyone involved in charge of a public transport vehicle clearly has a major responsibility in terms of the safety of passengers, so it will be important to consider whether the abilities of the driver in this case were impaired at all.

“Any information gathered could prove absolutely vital in ensuring that, where possible, lessons can be learned which could go some way towards hopefully improving safety and preventing further incidents in the future.” Colin Ettinger - Consultant