Can I Claim Compensation as a Passenger in an Accident?

As a passenger, you’re trusting that the driver of the vehicle you’re in will keep you safe. Unfortunately though, this isn’t always the case.

If you’ve been injured as a passenger in another person’s car, on a bus or in a taxi, you could have a case for compensation.

In this guide, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions around making a passenger accident claim. These will cover:

• What you should do if you’re injured in an accident as a passenger
• What you can claim for as a passenger in an accident
• Who your passenger accident claim will be made against
• How a solicitor could help you

Keep reading to find out more or get in touch with our friendly claims team for advice that’s tailored to your situation.

What should I do if I’m injured in an accident as a passenger?

If you’re involved in an accident, the most important thing is to seek medical attention. This could be at the time of the accident or afterwards, depending on the severity of your injuries.

Even if you don’t think you need to be seen, you should book an appointment with your GP so they can check you over. Some injuries – such as whiplash – may not be immediately apparent after your accident, so it’s important that you get a medical opinion to be on the safe side.

After this, you could think about making a passenger accident claim against the driver responsible for your injuries. To give your claim the best chance of success, we would suggest keeping a record of the main details you remember from the accident as well as the medical treatment you’ve received.

If we can take on your case, we’ll match you with an experienced solicitor who will gather further evidence to support your claim. So you don’t need to worry if you don’t have all of the information to hand right now.

What can I claim for as a passenger in an accident?

Being involved in a road traffic collision can have a significant emotional impact. And you may also have been left with serious physical injuries that mean you’re unable to work. This can bring an additional level of financial stress on top of everything else.

Making a claim won’t undo what’s happened – we know that. But if your case is successful, your final compensation amount could help you to cover the costs associated with your recovery. It would also take into account:

• Adaptations made to your home
• Any mobility aids you’ve had to buy
• Care or support provided – this includes free care given by family or friends
• Lost earnings due to time off work for your recovery
• Future job prospects and how this could affect your income

As well as factoring in the financial losses related to your injuries, your settlement will also consider the pain and suffering you’ve endured due to your accident – this could be physical or psychological.

Who will my passenger accident claim be made against?

When you board a bus, get in a taxi or sit in the passenger seat of a friend’s car, the driver of that vehicle will take on a legal duty of care towards you. This means that they should get you where you need to go safely.

Where a driver has not shown due care for their passengers’ safety, a claim could be made against them in the event of an accident.

We understand that you might be hesitant to take legal action, especially if the driver was someone close to you. But you shouldn’t let this worry you. If your case is successful, your compensation will be paid through the driver’s insurance company, so they won’t be left out of pocket.

If the driver of the vehicle was not insured, you may still be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB is set up to compensate people who have been injured in accidents involving uninsured or untraceable drivers.

It can be slightly more complicated when making a claim for an accident on public transport. For instance, it may not be that the driver acted recklessly but that the bus itself was not properly maintained. In these cases, a claim would be made against the transport company.

Part of a solicitor’s role is to work out who should be held responsible for your injuries. So you don’t need to worry if you’re not completely sure.

How could a solicitor help me?

Whether you were injured as a passenger in a friend’s car, in a taxi or on public transport, our road traffic accident solicitors could help you bring a claim.

We’ve helped hundreds of people in situations similar to yours. Just one example is our client Hannah who suffered whiplash and concussion after being involved in a bus collision as a passenger.

We matched Hannah with a solicitor who took her case on a No Win No Fee basis, which meant she would have nothing to pay if her case was unsuccessful. But Hannah’s solicitor managed to secure her £1,800 in compensation.

To find out how we could help you, get in touch with our claims advisors. You can reach us on the number at the top of the screen or by requesting a callback. We also have a quick online form if you’d prefer to contact us this way.

We’re here to help whenever you’re ready.