Last updated 18/07/2025
Being hit by a car or motorbike can be a devastating and traumatic experience. The repercussions can mean a permanent injury, chronic disruption to your life and financial hardship. If you were injured because of a negligent road user, this article explains pedestrian accident claims and when you could make one.
Essential Information
- A pedestrian accident claim could be made if you were injured due to a negligent road user.
- If successful, the compensation can cover the physical injuries, the psychological harm and the financial damage caused to you by the road traffic accident.
- There is generally a 3-year time limit in which claims need to be started, but there can be variations to this for minors and those lacking mental capacity.
- Our advisory team is available 24/7 to promptly answer queries.
- You could work with a solicitor on our panel on a No Win No Fee basis.
To discuss your particular case today, you can contact one of the friendly advisors on our team:
- Call on 0800 073 8803.
- Contact us to start a claim online.
- Ask a question in the chat box.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Are Pedestrian Accident Claims?
- Examples Of Pedestrian Accidents
- The Common Reasons Pedestrian Accidents Happen
- How Much Compensation Could Be Awarded To Injured Pedestrians?
- What Are Pedestrian Accident Claim Special Damages?
- Is There A Time Limit I Need To Make A Pedestrian Injury Claim By?
- How To Prove Fault For A Pedestrian Accident
- How Long Do Pedestrian Accident Claims Take To Settle?
- No Win No Fee Pedestrian Accident Claims
- More Information
What Are Pedestrian Accident Claims?
Pedestrian accident claims are a type of personal injury claim that can be made when a pedestrian has suffered an injury due to the negligent actions of another road user. The eligibility criteria for pedestrian accident claims is as follows:
- A duty of care was owed to you.
- A road user breached their duty of care to you.
- This resulted in you suffering physical injury, psychological harm, or both.
These points form the basis of negligence. You must prove negligence took place in order to have a valid claim.
A duty of care is a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of others. All road users, from pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists, owe a duty of care to use the roads responsibly and safely to avoid causing harm. They must adhere to this duty by following the rules set out in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code.
What If I Was Partially Responsible For My Pedestrian Accident?
If you were partially responsible for your pedestrian accident, you still may be able to claim compensation. However, this would be called a split liability claim.
How much compensation you would receive would depend on how much you contributed to the accident. For example, if you were deemed 50% liable, you would receive 50% of the total compensation had you not been.
An example of a split liability claim could include a pedestrian not ensuring a road was safe to cross before doing so and being hit by a speeding driver who was not able to stop in time.
Can I Claim On Behalf Of An Injured Loved One?
You could claim on behalf of an injured loved one by applying to be a litigation friend. This is usually a family member, friend or solicitor who acts in the claimant’s best interests.
A litigation friend can pursue a claim on behalf of an individual who is unable to start their own claim. This includes:
- Those under the age of 18.
- Those lacking the required mental capacity.
For further information about taking on the role of a litigation friend, speak to our advisory team. They can also answer any general questions you might have about pedestrian accident claims.
Examples Of Pedestrian Accidents.
Some examples of pedestrian accidents that could lead to a claim include:
- A motorist is speeding above the legal limit and they collide with a pedestrian using a zebra crossing due to being unable to stop in time. The pedestrian suffers a head injury and a broken arm.
- An intoxicated motorbike rider mounts the pavement without warning and collides with a pedestrian, causing them multiple injuries as a consequence.
- A taxi driver fails to notice a red light at a puffin crossing due to being distracted by their phone. They hit the pedestrian using this crossing and they suffer a broken leg.
There is guidance to help pedestrians and motorists stay safe. The Highway Code details this for pedestrians in Rules 1 to 35, and specifically, Rules 195 to 199 focus on pedestrian crossing safety from a driver’s perspective. The Highway Code also details the extra care needed for groups that include pedestrians, as outlined in Rules 204 to 225 under the updated hierarchy of users guidance.
If you have any questions about pedestrian accident claims or would like to discuss your particular circumstances, contact our advisors.
The Common Reasons Pedestrian Accidents Happen
Per the Department for Transport, in 2024, there were a total of 19,278 reported pedestrian casualties, with 413 killed.
Between 2019 and 2023, the 3 most common contributory factors towards pedestrian accidents were:
- Driver or rider failed to look properly – 6,006
- Driver or rider careless, reckless or in a hurry – 2,465
- Driver or rider failed to judge the other person’s speed or path – 1,522
Other Potential Causes of Pedestrian Collisions
Per the same 2023 statistics, other factors that contributed to pedestrian accidents included:
- Exceeding the speed limit – 99
- Aggressive driving – 801
- Poor turn or manoeuvre – 798
- Loss of control – 643
No matter how you have been injured, you can contact our advisors today to see whether you may have a valid personal injury compensation claim.
How Much Compensation Could Be Awarded To Injured Pedestrians?
The amount of compensation that can be awarded to injured pedestrians will depend on various factors, including the nature and severity of the injuries, and whether any financial losses were incurred.
In all successful pedestrian accidents, general damages will be awarded. This is for the injuries you have suffered and the pain and suffering they have caused you.
Those calculating general damages may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) as it contains suggestive compensation brackets for various severities of injuries.
We have used some of these brackets within the table below, aside from the first entry. This table should be used as guidance only.
Compensation Guidelines
| Injury | Severity | Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| More Than 1 Very Severe Injury and Special Damages for Care Provision, Private Medical Care and Loss of Earnings | Very Severe | Up to £1 million plus |
| Brain and Head | Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Moderate (i) | £183,190 to £267,340 | |
| Less Severe | £18,700 to £52,550 | |
| Neck | Severe (i) | In Area of £181,020 |
| Arm | Severe | £117,360 to £159,770 |
| Foot | Very Severe | £102,470 to £133,810 |
| Leg | Severe (ii) Very Serious | £66,920 to £109,290 |
| Back | Severe (iii) | £47,320 to £85,100 |
| Pelvis/Hips | Severe (iii) | £47,810 to £64,070 |
| Knee | Moderate (i) | £18,110 to £31,960 |
Contact our advisors to learn more about how compensation is calculated in pedestrian accident claims today.
What Are Pedestrian Accident Claim Special Damages?
Special damages in pedestrian accident claims cover the financial harm the person suffered because of their injuries. This head of loss could include a wide range of losses and expenses if there is relevant evidence to prove them, such as the following:
Loss Of Earnings
A serious injury could prevent someone from earning a living as they did before. If there are payslips or bank statements that show a significant drop or loss of earnings caused by the injuries, a claimant can use this evidence and include it in the claim. Also, solicitors can calculate an amount to reflect the expected loss of future earnings.
Cost Of Medical Treatments
Another expense that special damages can assess is the cost of any private medical treatments. An injury may require emergency specialist surgery, which can’t be accessed for free through the NHS. Additionally, the person may require ongoing, expensive medical procedures to aid their recovery. Proof of these private medical treatments (as well as prescription charges for medication) can be submitted as evidence and included in the calculations.
Rehabilitation Costs
Similarly, the injured person may need to undergo weeks or months of rehabilitative care after the accident. Estimates or invoices from physiotherapists or other specialists for this type of care can be submitted. Once again, for treatment carried out immediately or predicted in the future.
The claimant may require rehabilitation at home, and essential adaptations may be necessary, such as installing a chair lift or creating wheelchair access. Quotes and estimates from tradespeople who carried out crucial adaptations in your home or car can be provided. This is useful proof in your compensation claim that you spent money coping with a permanent disability.
Gratuitous Care Or Carers
‘Gratuitous care’ is the term used in personal injury claims to describe compensation that can be awarded to family and friends who care for the injured person. It’s a way for the law to recognise that the time and energy of others have a value that could be claimed for.
To include gratuitous care under special damages, you would need detailed records of their time and specific tasks. Also, receipts and invoices or medical evidence that proves how others had to support you. A solicitor from our panel could help you accurately assess and include these amounts.
Travel Expenses
Additionally, tickets and receipts for taxi travel, petrol, or parking to essential appointments should be kept and submitted as an expense. Also, you might have proof of the costs of replacing anything that was damaged in the accident, such as your eyewear, mobile phone or clothing.
Our panel of solicitors can calculate special damages to a high degree of accuracy. They can also quantify predicted expenses, such as long-term loss of earnings or the costs of ongoing physiotherapy. Contact our advisors to see how a solicitor from our panel could help you.
Interim Payments For Pedestrian Accidents
Interim payments are small portions of compensation awarded in advance of the claim being finalised. They can be awarded in cases for immediate expenses regarding the injuries suffered, where:
- The defendant has admitted liability
- There is a high likelihood of success
The courts evaluate each request for an interim payment individually. They must be related to the needs of the claimant, such as urgent medical treatments or emergency adaptations needed in the home. Furthermore, the amounts cannot exceed the total expected compensation and are deducted from the final amount when it is paid out.
If you would like to initiate a claim, our advisors can help you get started. Contact them today.
Is There A Time Limit I Need To Make A Pedestrian Injury Claim By?
There is a 3-year time limit to start a pedestrian injury claim, as set out by the Limitation Act 1980. This period typically starts from the date of the accident and injury, but can be altered for two groups of claimants:
- A minor is not able to launch a personal injury claim independently until they become 18. They have 3 years to start their claim beginning from this date.
- A time limit freeze applies if a person lacks the necessary mental capability to claim. It would instead begin from the date that mental capacity returns, if it ever does.
Our advisors are available to discuss personal injury claim time limits and advise you whether you are still within the claiming limitation period. Contact them today.
How To Prove Fault For A Pedestrian Accident
To prove fault for a pedestrian accident, you will need to gather evidence of who was liable for the accident and what injuries you suffered as a result. Some examples could include:
-
- Copies of medical records that detail your injuries, the treatment and future prognosis.
- Photos of visible injuries and the cause of the accident.
- The registration number, make and model of the car or motorbike involved in the accident.
- The contact details of others who witnessed the incident.
- Any CCTV or dashcam footage of the accident taking place.
Armed with evidence like this, you can present a strong argument for compensation. But you don’t have to attempt to gather this alone; a solicitor from our panel could help. Contact our advisors to learn more.
How Long Do Pedestrian Accident Claims Take To Settle?
There is no definitive answer to how long pedestrian accident claims take to settle since every road traffic accident case has its unique aspects. Nevertheless, certain factors may affect how long it takes to pursue pedestrian injury compensation, such as:
- Evidence: If you already have a strong body of evidence, it may not take that much time to reach the stage of negotiation. However, in some pedestrian injury claims, the process of obtaining proof may be more difficult.
- Injuries: In some instances, it may take longer to get a complete picture of your injuries, especially if you are still receiving treatment. When that is the case, there may be a delay in the assessment of your condition.
- Liability: If the driver accepts responsibility for the accident, there may be a chance of a settlement or at least some scope for negotiation. However, if they deny any responsibility, it may be necessary to collect more evidence.
- Negotiations: Even if the driver admits liability and offers a settlement, disagreements may still arise over compensation. This could lead to a series of back-and-forth offers.
- Litigation: If you are unable to achieve a settlement with the other party, you may have to go to court. However, this is very rare, as most cases settle out of court.
The road traffic accident solicitors from our panel always work tirelessly to ensure that pedestrian accident compensation claims are made with the utmost efficiency and professionalism. You can learn more about their work by contacting our advisors now for a free consultation.
No Win No Fee Pedestrian Accident Claims
The solicitors on our panel have decades of expertise helping the victims of pedestrian accidents get the compensation they deserve. What’s more, they can do this under a type of No Win No Fee contract.
If your claim qualifies and you decide to appoint a solicitor from our panel, they will provide their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This offers a wide range of advantages to those seeking pedestrian accident compensation:
- Under these terms, no solicitor’s fees are applicable upfront for work to commence.
- Solicitor’s fees do not apply as the claim progresses.
- No solicitor’s service fees apply for completed work if the claim fails.
If the claim succeeds, a small percentage of the compensation is deducted by your solicitor. This is a success fee. The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 caps this percentage to ensure you receive the majority of your compensation.
Working this way means that our solicitors could calculate the most accurate compensation amount for you and ensure all your evidence is organised. They can also ensure you access the right healthcare and rehabilitation needs. As well as take care of all the communication, court instructions and deadlines that are part of the personal injury claims process.
Most importantly, you can concentrate on your recovery, safe in the knowledge that all the stress of running a personal injury claim is being taken care of for you.
Contact Our Advisors
Would you like to explore whether you can access excellent representation in this manner? Start by speaking to our advisory team about your pedestrian accident compensation claim.
- Call on 0800 073 8803.
- Contact us to start a claim online.
- Ask a question in the chat box.
More Information
More guides by us:
- Read about making claims for an accident on a zebra crossing.
- Here is a guide about crush injury claims.
- In addition to this, read about claiming for a psychological injury.
Some other helpful resources:
- Here is information on how to request CCTV footage of yourself from Gov.UK
- Details on the obligations of drivers and riders from Gov.UK
- Learn when to call 999 from the NHS.
Thank you for reading our guide on pedestrian accident claims.