According to the Hierarchy of Road Users in the Highway Code, pedestrians are considered to be some of the most vulnerable road users. If a pedestrian is injured in a zebra crossing accident, they could be left with life-changing injuries, and these injuries may also affect their finances. In this guide, we look at when a pedestrian could be eligible to make a zebra crossing accident claim.
Our guide looks at how to claim for a pedestrian crossing accident, including what rules are in place regarding the use of zebra crossings and the specific eligibility requirements that need to be met to be able to claim compensation.
Furthermore, we will provide you with examples of evidence which could support a personal injury claim. We also look at how your injuries may be valued and how your compensation will be calculated for a successful claim. Finally, we look at how a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could help you.
If you have any questions regarding zebra crossing accident claims, or would like the discuss the details of your specific case, you can contact our advisory team today:
- Call 0800 408 7825
- Use our live chat pop-up.
- Contact us online to request a call back from our team.
Select A Section
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- Could You Make A Zebra Crossing Accident Claim?
- What Could Lead To A Zebra Crossing Accident?
- What Evidence Can Help You Claim For A Pedestrian Crossing Accident?
- How Much Compensation For A Zebra Crossing Injury?
- Why Make A Zebra Crossing Accident Claim Using A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
- More Resources About Road Traffic Accident Claims
Could You Make A Zebra Crossing Accident Claim?
All road users have a duty of care to use the roads safely to avoid causing injury and damage to themselves and others. They must also abide by the regulations listed within the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the rules listed in the Highway Code.
Rule 19 of the Highway Code states that pedestrians must give motorists plenty of time to see them and ensure that traffic has stopped in both directions before crossing a zebra crossing. Additionally, drivers must give way to pedestrians who are already crossing on a zebra crossing.
To be eligible to make a zebra crossing accident claim, your case must meet the personal injury claims eligibility requirements:
- A road user owed you a duty of care.
- That they breached this duty of care. For example, they failed to come to a stop while you were crossing and hit you.
- That this breach of duty of care caused you to be injured.
Pedestrian Crossing Accident Statistics
The Department of Transport provide statistics on various reported road traffic accidents. They report the following number of injuries suffered to pedestrians in 2022:
- Fatalities: 385.
- Serious Injuries: 5,901.
- Slight Injuries: 13,041.
They also state that between 2018 to 2022, 58% of pedestrian casualties were male, and 42% were female. Men aged 30-39 suffered the most injuries (8%), with women aged 70+ suffering the most injuries (9%) to their respective sexes.
Additionally, between 2018 and 2022, the majority of pedestrian casualties involved a single car (69,856).
If you have any questions regarding personal injury claims for zebra crossing accidents, you can contact our advisory team.
What Could Lead To A Zebra Crossing Accident?
There are various ways that you could be injured as a pedestrian while using a zebra crossing. Some examples include:
- A driver is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, meaning they hit you when using a crossing. This causes you to suffer multiple serious injuries, including a serious back injury and neck injury.
- A driver is distracted by their mobile phone and fails to notice you crossing. You suffer a shoulder injury when they hit you.
- A driver is speeding, meaning they are unable to come to a stop in time and hit you while you are using a zebra crossing. This causes you to suffer a broken leg.
There may be some instances where a pedestrian is at fault for a pedestrian crossing accident. For example, if a pedestrian began using a crossing before checking that cars from both directions had come to a stop first, or that the road was clear, they might not be able to claim compensation.
Can You Claim If You’re Hit By An Uninsured Or Untraced Driver?
If a driver is involved in an accident that has caused injury or damage, they have a duty to stop at the scene of the accident. Additionally, they must provide information regarding their name, address, vehicle registration, and insurance to anyone with reasonable grounds for requiring it.
If the driver failed to stop at the scene of the accident, you could still make a claim for the injuries you suffered in this hit and run. However, your claim would be made through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
The MIB can award compensation to those who have been affected by uninsured or untraced drivers.
If you have any questions about making a zebra crossing accident claim through the MIB, you can contact one of our advisors.
What Evidence Can Help You Claim For A Pedestrian Crossing Accident?
Evidence of how the accident took place, who was liable and the injuries you suffered could help to strengthen your zebra crossing accident claim.
Examples of evidence which could support your claim could include:
- Footage of the accident from CCTV cameras or dashcam footage from other drivers.
- Photos taken at the scene of the accident and those of your injuries.
- Details of police reports and a crime number (if applicable).
- Medical evidence, such as medical records showing what injuries you suffered and the treatment you received.
- Details of anyone who witnessed the incident taking place. A statement could be taken from them later.
- Evidence of any financial losses you have suffered due to your injuries. For example, your wage slips proving a loss of earnings.
One of the personal injury solicitors on our panel could help you with gathering evidence as part of their services. To see if you could work with one of them, you can contact our advisors.
How Much Compensation For A Zebra Crossing Injury?
If your zebra crossing accident compensation claim is successful, you could be awarded two heads of loss. The first head of loss is general damages. These damages compensate you for pain and suffering related to your injuries.
In the table below, we have used figures from the 17th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document may be used by those valuing your pedestrian crossing accident claim for general damages, as it lists compensation guidelines for a range of injuries.
Please use this table as a guide only. Additionally, please note that the first entry has not been taken from the JCG.
| Type Of Injury | Severity | Damages |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries with Financial Losses | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Brain Injuries | Moderately severe (b) | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Moderate (c) (i) | £183,190 to £267,340 | |
| Neck Injuries | Severe (a) (i) | In the region of £181,020 |
| Leg Injuries | Amputation (a) (iii) | £127,930 to £167,760 |
| Severe (b) (iv) Moderate | £33,880 to £47,840 | |
| Foot Injuries | Very severe (c) | £102,470 to £133,810 |
| Severe (d) | £51,220 to £85,460 | |
| Back Injuries | Severe (a) (iii) | £47,320 to £85,100 |
| Arm Injuries | Less Severe (c) | £23,430 to £47,810 |
The second head of loss you may be awarded is known as special damages. This compensates you for the financial losses your injuries have caused you to experience. Examples of losses you could claim special damages for could include:
- The cost of adaptations to your home or vehicle.
- Loss of earnings if you needed time off work to recover.
- The cost of medical care.
- The cost of travelling to medical appointments.
Is There A Time Limit For Pedestrian Crossing Accident Claims?
All personal injury claims must be started within 3 years of the accident taking place, as stated within the Limitation Act 1980.
However, there are instances in which this time limit differs. This applies to cases where the claimant lacks the mental capacity to handle their own case or is a minor.
To learn more about these exceptions, or to see how much compensation you may be eligible to receive if your zebra crossing accident claim is a success, you can contact one of our advisors.
Why Make A Zebra Crossing Accident Claim Using A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
A solicitor from our panel could help you with your zebra crossing accident claim, provided that it is eligible. Additionally, they could offer to take on your case on a No Win No Fee basis by offering you a Conditional Fee Agreement.
When claiming with a No Win No Fee solicitor under this agreement, you will not need to pay an upfront fee for their services. You will also not be asked to pay for their services for the duration of your claim.
Instead, you will pay a success fee at the end of your claim if you are awarded compensation. This fee will be a legally capped percentage of your compensation.
However, if you are not successful in your claim, you will not need to pay any fees for your solicitor’s services.
To discuss your zebra crossing injury claim today and receive free advice, you can contact a member of our advisory team. They may also put you in contact with one of the solicitors on our panel:
- Call our team on 0800 408 7825
- Use the live chat pop-up to talk to us.
- Contact us online to request a callback.
More Resources About Road Traffic Accident Claims
Some additional road traffic accident guides by us:
- Some overall guidance on making a road traffic accident claim.
- If you were injured as a passenger in a road traffic accident, this guide discusses when you could make a claim.
- This guide explains when you could make a claim if you were knocked off your bicycle as a cyclist while using the roads.
Additional external resources:
- Learn more about road safety laws from THINK!
- Guidance on when to provide first aid from the NHS.
- Information on claiming statutory sick pay (SSP) from Gov.UK.
We hope our guide has helped you to learn more about making a zebra crossing accident claim. If you would like to discuss your case, you can contact our advisors.