Pedestrian Accident Claims – How Much Compensation Can I Claim?

Pedestrians can suffer serious injuries if they’re hit by a car, in a hit-and-run or other accident. That’s because, unlike other road users, they have very little protection which leaves them vulnerable during any type of collision. If you’re a pedestrian who has been injured as a result of someone else being negligent, a pedestrian accident claim could lead to you being compensated for your suffering.

We can help if you do decide to seek damages for your injuries. To start, we’ll review what happened with you in a free consultation. As part of your call, we’ll explain your options and offer you free legal advice. If there’s a reasonable chance that you’ll be compensated, our team may connect you with a personal injury solicitor on our panel. Should you wish to proceed, they’ll represent you on a No Win, No Fee basis so there’s no need to pay any fees upfront.

To talk to us about starting a pedestrian accident claim, call our team now on 0800 652 1345. To find out more about the claims process before getting in touch, please continue reading.

Statistics for injuries to pedestrians

According to figures from the government, 385 pedestrians were killed and 5,901 were seriously injured in Great Britain during 2022.

Additionally, there were 13,041 reports of slight injuries, which, while less severe, still represent a considerable number of people affected by pedestrian accidents. These statistics not only reflect the inherent danger pedestrians face but also emphasise the need for continued efforts in improving road safety and pedestrian infrastructure.

Can I claim compensation for a pedestrian accident?

For a pedestrian accident claim to be successful, you will generally have to prove:

• The other party (the defendant) owed you a duty of care.
• Because they were negligent, an accident occurred.
• You were a pedestrian injured as a direct result of the accident.

To summarise, you could be entitled to compensation if you were injured as a pedestrian in an accident that was not your fault. In most cases, all road users owe each other a duty of care so this isn’t something you’ll need to be too concerned by. In fact, the law has recently been tightened and new rules added to the Highway Code to protect vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians. Your solicitor will verify this before a pedestrian accident claim proceeds.

Types of pedestrian accident claims we could help with

Some of the common types of pedestrian accident claims that we could help with include those caused by:

• Vehicle collisions. The most common cause of pedestrian injuries involves being struck by cars, buses, motorcycles, or bicycles. This often occurs under these circumstances:
  • A motorist fails to stop at a zebra crossing.
  • The driver didn’t see the pedestrian due to being distracted by their mobile phone.
  • The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • The driver ignored a red traffic light.
  • Aggressive driving or speeding by the motorist.
  • A vehicle mounted the pavement while parking.
  • A motorist disregarded a stop sign or failed to give way at a junction.
  • Distractions from passengers within the vehicle.

• Poor roads and pavements. Accidents caused by cracked, potholed, or poorly maintained pavements and roads, leading to pedestrians tripping and potentially falling into the path of oncoming vehicles.
• Poor lighting. Accidents caused by poorly lit areas where pedestrians are less visible to drivers or where pedestrians have difficulty seeing and avoiding potential hazards.
• Weather conditions. Ice and snow can make surfaces slippery which can lead to slips and falls if the relevant authority knew of the danger but failed to take appropriate action.

If you believe you’ve got a valid pedestrian accident claim, please get in touch on 0800 652 1345 to see whether we could help you claim compensation.

Common types of injuries to pedestrians

The number of different injuries that pedestrians could sustain following an RTA is massive so we won’t list them all here. However, we have added a list of some of the common injuries that often lead to pedestrian injury claims that we could help with including:

Whatever type of pedestrian injury you’ve sustained, we could help you to claim compensation. Please get in touch if you’d like more information about your options.

How much compensation for a pedestrian accident?

The amount of compensation for a pedestrian accident can vary widely but typically includes general damages for any pain and suffering experienced, as well as special damages to cover all associated costs and expenses

• The physical suffering you endured during and after the accident.
• Any psychological harm such as that caused by depression, anxiety or distress.
• The time a loved one spent caring for you while you were injured.
• Any loss of income if your injuries prevented you from working. You could also claim for future lost income for long-term injuries.
• Travel expenses relating to medical appointments for example.
• The cost of changing your home or vehicle if it’s necessary because of a disability caused by your accident.
• Rehabilitation and medical expenses.

If you work with one of our personal injury solicitors, they’ll make sure everything is considered before sending your pedestrian accident compensation claim to the defendant. In all cases, they’ll try to make sure any settlement offer is fair and compensates you for all of your suffering.

Providing proof for a pedestrian accident compensation claim

The importance of evidence in a pedestrian accident compensation claim cannot be understated. That’s because most cases are handled by insurance companies rather than the defendant. As such, you’ll need to convince them that the accident was caused by the defendant and show them the full extent of your injuries. There are several pieces of evidence that can help with this including:

• Dashcam footage. If any vehicle that stopped at the scene of the accident was fitted with a dashcam, ask the owner to supply any relevant footage. Similarly, if there were any CCTV cameras in the area, ask for footage to be forwarded to you.
• Details of any witnesses. Also, if anyone else was present when you were injured, make a note of their contact details. In certain cases, they may be asked to provide a statement by your solicitor if there is an argument over liability for the accident.
• Police reports. In accidents that were attended by the emergency services, your solicitor could request copies of any reports that were filed to try and understand how the incident occurred.
• Previous complaints. If possible, obtain proof of previous complaints made to the council about the hazard if it led to your accident. This might include copies of emails, letters, or official complaints that show the issue was known but not addressed adequately.
• Maintenance records. Request records from the council or authority that show maintenance schedules and actions taken in the area. A lack of action after reporting a hazard can strengthen your claim.
• Medical notes. You should always seek medical advice about your pedestrian injuries so that they can be treated properly. If you were treated at A&E, a doctor’s surgery or a minor injuries unit, you could obtain copies of your medical records and any relevant scans to help prove the extent of your injuries.
• Photographic proof. If you’re able to, it’s a good idea to take photographs at the scene of the pedestrian accident. The best time to do this is before anything is moved. If photos aren’t possible, you should try to sketch the accident scene to help you recall what happened later on.
• A list of dates and costs. Finally, it’s a good idea to keep track of everything by taking notes throughout your recovery. Keeping track of any expenses is a good idea. It’s also useful to note the dates you could not work or attend social activities because of your injuries.

Once you’ve collected as much proof as possible, you can call us for free to have it reviewed. An advisor will look at the merits of your pedestrian claim with you and let you know if further evidence is needed.

How long do you have to start a pedestrian accident claim?

The legal time limit for personal injury claims in the UK is 3-years. For pedestrian accident claims, this will usually start on the date of the incident. You shouldn’t wait too long to begin though as you’ll find it harder to recall exactly what happened. If you make an early start to the pedestrian accident claims process, your solicitor should have plenty of time to collate evidence and medical reports.

Another reason to begin the claims process early is that your solicitor might request the defendant pay for private medical treatment. This is called an interim payment that might be made if liability is agreed upon but before the claim’s been finalised.

If a child pedestrian is injured in an RTA, the claims time limit does not apply. A guardian, friend or parent can represent them in a claim at any time before their 18^th birthday. If that doesn’t happen, the 3-year limitation period will begin when they turn 18 years old.

We can’t say exactly how long your claim will take as each case is different. However, straightforward cases where liability is admitted early can be processed in a number of months. If there is any argument over who was to blame or how serious the injuries were, it can go beyond 1-year.

No Win, No Fee pedestrian injury claims

In our opinion, anyone who has been injured as a pedestrian stands a better chance of winning their compensation claim if they’re represented by a personal injury solicitor. We also realise that no one wants to risk paying for a solicitor and then losing their case. For that reason, our expert solicitors offer a No Win, No Fee service for any pedestrian injury claim they take on.

No Win, No Fee means you won’t be asked to pay your solicitor for their work in advance. It also means you don’t need to pay them if your case is lost. That should give you a lot of peace of mind during your claim.

As you’d expect, you’ll sign a contract to formalise this agreement. It’s called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Your CFA will confirm the fact that your solicitor will represent you without being paid upfront. It will also explain when you’ll need to pay a ‘success fee’.

This fee is a percentage of your compensation that’s deducted to pay your solicitor for their work and to cover their costs. So that you can’t be charged too much, success fees are legally capped at 25% when using a CFA.

For free legal advice on a No Win, No Fee pedestrian accident claim, please contact our team today.

Start a pedestrian accident claim today

There’s no risk involved with calling our claims line on 0800 652 1345 as you’ll get free legal advice no matter what you choose to do next. You’ll be under no obligation to proceed but if you do, and your claim is accepted, you’ll be represented by one of our team of personal injury solicitors. What’s more, they’ll provide their services on a No Win, No Fee basis.

If you need to ask any additional questions regarding pedestrian accident claims, please request a consultation on this page or use live chat to contact a specialist.