No Win, No FeePedestrians 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, you could claim compensation by filing a pedestrian accident claim against the responsible party.
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.
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.
Pedestrian Injury Statistics
According to figures from the government, 405 pedestrians were killed and 6,067 were seriously injured in Great Britain during 2023.
Additionally, there were 12,791 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.
Am I Entitled to Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident?
You could be entitled to compensation if you were injured as a pedestrian in an accident that was not your fault. For a pedestrian accident claim to be successful, you will generally have to prove:
- The other party owed you a duty of care.
- Because they were negligent, an accident occurred.
- You were a pedestrian injured as a result of the accident.
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.
Common Examples of Pedestrian Accident Claims
Pedestrian accident claims generally involve situations where someone is injured because a motorist, cyclist, or local authority failed to take proper care. Some common types of pedestrian accidents that we can help with are:
- Road traffic collisions: These are the most common pedestrian accidents and often occur when:
- A motorist fails to stop at a pedestrian 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.
- Trips and falls caused by road or pavement defects: Cracked paving slabs, potholes, or broken kerbs can cause pedestrians to fall, sometimes into the road. If the local council was negligent by failing to fix known hazards, a claim may be possible.
- Poor lighting or visibility: Accidents can happen in poorly lit areas where drivers struggle to see pedestrians, or where pedestrians can’t safely spot trip hazards or vehicles.
- Adverse weather conditions: Icy or snowy footpaths that haven’t been gritted may cause pedestrians to slip. If a responsible authority knew about the risk and failed to act, they could be held liable.
In each of these cases, a pedestrian may be able to claim compensation if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or failure to maintain a safe environment.
What Types of Pedestrian Injuries Can I Claim For?
The number of different injuries that pedestrians could sustain is long so we won’t list them all here. However, we have included common injuries that often lead to pedestrian injury claims:
- Fractured or broken bones.
- Concussions, brain damage and other head injuries.
- Ligament, tendon and nerve damage.
- Spine injuries.
- Cuts, bruises and lacerations.
- Injuries to the limbs.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Fatal injuries.
- Mental trauma.
- Scarring.
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.
What Evidence Do I Need for a Pedestrian Accident 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 suffering. 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.
What Is the Time Limit to Make a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
The legal time limit for personal injury claims in the UK is 3-years. For pedestrian accident claims, this usually starts on the date of the incident or ‘date of knowledge‘.
If a child pedestrian is injured, the claims time limit does not apply until they’re 18. However, a guardian, friend or parent can represent them in a claim at any time before their 18th birthday. If that doesn’t happen, the 3-year limitation period will begin when they turn 18 years old.
It’s generally better to not wait too long to begin 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.
How Much Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident Can I Claim?
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.
- Travel expenses relating to medical appointments for instance.
- 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.
Can I Claim for Loss of Earnings Due to My Pedestrian Accident?
Will I Need a Solicitor to Claim Pedestrian Accident Compensation?
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. The CFA also explains 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.
Pedestrian Accident Claims Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Claim for a Fatal Pedestrian Accident?
If a loved one has sadly died in a pedestrian accident, we fully understand that no amount of compensation would your loss easier. However, at some point, you might decide to claim to help cover the financial impact of the accident.
You could claim compensation if you were financially dependent on the deceased. Furthermore, you could be paid a bereavement payment as well as an amount to cover costs like funeral expenses. Additionally, a claim could be made on behalf of the deceased’s estate to claim compensation on their behalf (instead of a normal personal injury claim).
We can help if you do decide to claim for fatal injuries and we will always try to work at a speed that you’re happy with. Please get in touch if you’d like to review your options.
What Can I Do If the Driver Who Hit Me Was Uninsured or Cannot Be Identified?
If you were hurt in a hit-and-run incident, there is a scheme that could compensate you. The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) is a scheme operated by the insurance industry on behalf of the government. It allows claims against untraceable drivers.
If you’re interested in claiming through the MIB, we can help. Simply contact us with as much information about the vehicle involved (colour, make, model, number plate etc) and we’ll review your options in a free case review.
Will I Be Required to Undergo a Medical Assessment?
As part of the claims process, it’s a normal procedure for the claimant to see an independent medical expert. You shouldn’t worry about this as it’s quite a straightforward meeting that our solicitors can usually arrange for you at a local venue.
The specialist will discuss how you’ve been affected and then examine your injuries. After this, they’ll review your medical notes and write a report to detail your prognosis and list your injuries.
How Long Will a Pedestrian Accident Compensation Claim Typically Take?
If the defendant in your claim quickly agrees that they caused your accident and pedestrian injuries, then you could receive your settlement in a matter of 4 to 5 months or so. On the flip side, some pedestrian accident claims, especially those involving serious injuries, can take much longer and might exceed a year in some cases.
Start a Pedestrian Accident Compensation 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.
