Pedestrian Accident Claims

Pedestrians are highly vulnerable road users. If you’ve been hurt in an accident as a pedestrian, we could help you claim compensation.

SPEAK TO OUR SPECIALIST TEAM

Fill in our simple form and get a call back at a time to suit you.
Alternatively our team are on hand 24/7 to discuss your case.
You can call them on:
0800 567 7866

Making a pedestrian accident claim

As a pedestrian, you’re one of the most vulnerable users of our roads. This means you are more at risk than most others. Only cyclists and motorcyclists are more likely to be injured or killed in a road traffic accident.

The Department for Transport has reported that in 2020, 14,717 pedestrians were killed or injured in accidents, with 3,483 of those being children.

Motorists have a duty of care to drive carefully to avoid accidents. If they failed in this obligation, you could be entitled to compensation. Even if you were involved in a hit and run accident and don’t have the details of the driver who caused your accident, you could still be able to make a claim.

Common pedestrian accidents

The most commonly seen accident of this type is a pedestrian hit by a car. But it’s not just cars that hit people on foot. Motorcycles and bicycles have also hit pedestrians and caused serious injury.

When it comes to cars, there are a number of ways a pedestrian can end up being hurt, including:

  • Drivers reversing without paying the proper attention
  • Cars failing to stop at crossings
  • Drivers not stopping at red lights
  • Pedestrians being blocked by parked or stationary cars before crossing roads
  • Cars going too fast to stop in time when a child steps into the road

Road Traffic Accident Compensation Calculator

Calculate your compensation in 4 easy steps...

To start your compensation calculation, please select the affected area of your body...

Now isolate the area of your body that was injured...

Choose the type of injury...

  • In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.
  • Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.
  • Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.
  • The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.
  • Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.
  • Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.
  • The injured person largely recovers within two years.
  • Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.
  • In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.
  • Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.
  • Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.
  • Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye
  • Total loss of sight in one eye only.
  • Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss
  • With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.
  • With noise induced hearing loss
  • With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.
  • With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.
  • Full recovery with no surgery required.
  • Where recovery is complete after surgery
  • Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.
  • Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.
  • Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.
  • Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.
  • Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.
  • Assessed per tooth.
  • Single tooth only.
  • Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.
  • Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.
  • Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.
  • Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.
  • Caused by asbestos
  • Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)
  • Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.
  • Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.
  • Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.
  • Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.
  • Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.
  • Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.
  • Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.
  • Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.
  • Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.
  • Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.
  • Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
  • Resulting in significant or permanent disability
  • Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.
  • Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty
  • Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.
  • Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.
  • Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.
  • Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.
  • Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.
  • Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.
  • Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.
  • Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.
  • Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.
  • Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.
  • Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.
  • Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular
  • Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.
  • Fractures where a full recovery is not made.
  • Loss of a leg below the knee
  • Loss of a leg above the knee
  • Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.
  • Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.
  • Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.
  • Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.
  • Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.
  • Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.
  • Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.
  • Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.
  • Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.
  • Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.
  • Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.
  • Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.
  • For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.
  • Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

Simply fill in our form below and we’ll call you back at a time to suit you.

Or talk to our team on:
0808 271 6198

There are other types of compensation you could be awarded through your accident such as loss of earnings or damage to property. The estimates given here are simply for your personal injury claim.

First4Lawyers' solicitors will be able to give you the best idea of the amount you should expect from your individual injury.

It is important to keep in mind that every case is different and the advice and estimates you'll be given, once your case has started, will be tailored specifically for your case.

Causes of pedestrian accidents

The most common causes of road accidents in the UK are carelessness on the part of drivers. The Department for Transport reported that in 2019, the most frequent reason for a car accident happening was a driver failing to look properly. This caused 29,305 accidents across the country.

Drivers failing to properly judge another person’s path caused a further 15,557 accidents. Meanwhile, motorists driving carelessly or recklessly or being in a hurry were responsible for 12,829 accidents.

A further 281 accidents were caused by drivers disobeying pedestrian crossings, while vehicles travelling along a pavement caused 188 accidents.

There were, however, 2,360 accidents put down to pedestrians being careless, reckless or in a hurry, while pedestrians being under the influence of alcohol caused 1,183 accidents. But even if a pedestrian is partly responsible, a driver has a responsibility to drive carefully enough to avoid anyone.

This means that you may still be able to make a claim. The legal issue of contributory negligence will apply. It will mean that, for example, if you were found to be 20% responsible for your accident, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.

If you need guidance in working out whether you could claim compensation, our friendly and understanding claims advisors can help.

Accidents involving children

Children are even more vulnerable when they’re on the roads. They lack the experience and awareness of adults, so could find themselves more at risk of an accident. They are also less visible on the roads, so drivers could find it more difficult to see them.

In 2019, 5,200 children were involved in accidents as pedestrians on our roads – 2,157 of those were aged 12-15.

If your child has been hit by a car or other road user, it can be even more distressing than if you were injured yourself. We could help you get the compensation you might need to provide for them and give them the best chance at recovery.

How much compensation will I receive?

All road accidents are different. This means that it will be difficult to say exactly what you might be entitled to for your accident. Our compensation calculator could give you a rough idea of what you could receive for an injury.

Your compensation will be split into general damages and special damages. These will be based on your specific circumstances, so each claim will result in different amounts of compensation.

General damages compensate you for the pain and suffering you’ve been through as a direct result of your accident. It covers any effect the injury has had on your lifestyle – such as having to give up an active hobby.

Special damages reimburse you for the financial impact your injury has had on your life. It covers a loss of earnings if you’ve had to stop working, medical treatment and any modifications or aids you now need, such as wheelchairs.

You can also claim back the cost of travel to and from medical appointments, so make sure you keep hold of any receipts or invoices for anything related to your injury.

How long do I have to make a claim?

Most pedestrians will have three years to make a claim for an accident. If you have been the victim of an accident, you should start your claim as soon as possible.

Doing so gives you the best chance of getting hold of important evidence, such as CCTV or dash cam footage. The sooner you start your claim, the clearer the details will be in your mind – and in the minds of any witnesses or anyone else involved in the accident.

There are some exceptions to the three-year rule, though. If you are claiming on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to make a claim themselves, you will only face a deadline if they regain capacity. This will be three years from the date that happens.

Meanwhile, a child will be able to make a claim at any point until they are 18, at which point they will then have three years to start the process.

If you need any further information on how long you have to claim, just give us a call. We’re happy to talk you through it.

What do I need to make a claim?

The strongest claims have strong evidence to back them up. So you can help your solicitor by providing proof of what happened.

You can do this by taking photographs and video footage of the accident scene and your injury. You can also request footage of any CCTV cameras in the vicinity. It will also help to get the names and contact details of anyone else who was involved in your accident and anyone who witnessed it.

Make sure you report your accident to the police. Their investigation or report could form part of your evidence when making a claim.

You may also want to compile a diary of your symptoms. Record how severe your injury is, whether it’s got any worse and the impact it’s had on your daily life.

How can I fund my pedestrian accident claim?

The majority of claims that we process are on a No Win No Fee basis. This gives everyone the chance to obtain justice for what happened to them.

A No Win No Fee claim means that there is no cost upfront, letting you focus on your recovery rather than worrying about funding your claim.

It also means there is nothing to pay if your claim is not successful. You will only pay a success fee if you are awarded compensation. Your lawyer will make sure you know all the details before you go ahead.

Only pay a fee if you receive compensation

Where we offer No Win No Fee services for road traffic accident claims typically customers pay 30% + VAT of the amount recovered by our solicitors, although this will be subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be less than this. Success fees are common practice and they were introduced when the law changed in April 2013. This amount is higher than the normal 25% on all other personal injury claims because of changes introduced through the Civil Liability Act 2018.

How can First4Lawyers help?

Here at First4Lawyers, our priority is making sure people like you get the justice they deserve. We have won multiple awards for our determination to get accident victims the compensation they’re legally entitled to.

We work with highly rated personal injury solicitors who share our values and our client focus. They will work with you to present the strongest case possible, to give you the best chance of a successful claim.

Our claims advisors are experienced, compassionate and understanding. They’re here to help you during difficult times. To chat to them about your options, just give us a call, request a call back or start your claim online.

You don’t have to go through this on your own.

Road Traffic Accident FAQs

Can passengers claim compensation?

Yes, if you’re a passenger who has been involved in a collision on the road and suffered injuries through no fault of your own, then you’re entitled to make a claim for compensation.

I was hit by an uninsured driver. Can I claim?

Yes, you can make a claim if you were hit by an uninsured driver.

With the help of our panel of solicitors, you can claim through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).

Backed by every motor insurer in the UK, the MIB is a scheme set up to help compensate victims of accidents caused by uninsured and untraced motorists.

How much can I claim for a road traffic accident?

It depends on the type and severity of any injuries sustained.

For those inflicted with minor brain or head injuries, they could receive between £1,940 and £11,200. At the other end of the scale, severe leg injuries could see compensation between £48,080 and £119,210, whereas loss of an arm may mean an award of between £84,310 to upwards of £120,270.

For further examples see our compensation calculator.

Is there a time limit for making a claim?

Generally speaking there is a limit of three years to start a claim, starting from the date of your accident. If you were under the age of 18 when you had your accident, you have until your 21st birthday.

How long will a claim take?

The length of time it will take to make your claim depends on your individual circumstances.

Every case is different, so it’s very difficult to say at the early stages how long the process will be from start to finish.

Once your solicitor has completed their initial investigations into your case, they will be in a better position to advise you on how long the process is likely to take.

To give you a very general idea:

  • For a personal injury claim like minor whiplash, for example, the process could be completed in about six months. But in more complex cases, such as claims involving a trip, slip or fall, it could take over a year to be settled. The process could also be longer if the defendant disputes your claim.

  • Claiming for a work accident could be between six and nine months. But if the injury is more severe, or there are legal complexities, it could take longer.

  • Medical negligence cases tend to take longer as they can be complex with multiple factors and evidence.  A rough estimate would be 18-26 months.

You can contact one of our advisors to discuss your situation.

Why choose First4Lawyers?

Whether you want to make an accident and injury claim, or need a solicitor for personal or business law matters - our friendly team are here to help, 24/7.

Free initial consultation

Our fully trained legal advisors are happy to offer initial guidance and advice for free

No Win No Fee*

No Win No Fee solicitors - you don't pay a penny up front when making a claim

No pressure

We offer advice with no obligation.  We never cold-call or apply pressure to our customers

X

It seems you are using an outdated browser.

This will impair your browsing experience around the web. Please visit one of the links below to update to a modern browser then re-open the site with the new browser.

Thank you


logo

Can't find what you are looking for?

We are open as normal during the Coronavirus lockdown and are able to help with all your legal needs.

Call us free of charge

0800 567 7866

Request a Callback

Continue browsing