Pedestrian Accident Claims

Can I claim if I was hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian?

Under the Highway Code, pedestrians are classed as road users ‘requiring extra care’. This is because as a pedestrian, you have far less protection than most motorists – making you especially vulnerable.

There are specific rules and guidelines for motorists when it comes to driving around pedestrians and other vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists. But sadly, these are not always followed and people can be hurt – or even killed – as a result.

In 2023, there were 19,156 reported road traffic accidents involving pedestrians. And of these incidents, 407 were fatal.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision as a pedestrian, and it wasn’t your fault, you could have grounds to make a pedestrian injury claim.

We offer a free, no obligation consultation where we’ll listen to what happened and let you know if you have a strong case. Get in touch with our friendly advisors to find out whether we could help you.

How will I prove my pedestrian accident claim?

The strongest claims have sturdy evidence to back them up. So you can help your solicitor by providing proof of what happened.

You can do this by taking photographs and videos of the accident scene and your injury. And if you’re able to, try to get the contact details of anyone who was involved in the accident or witnessed it.

Make sure to report what happened to the police, too. Their investigation or report could later form part of your evidence if you go on to make a claim.

You may also want to write a diary of your symptoms – record how severe your injury is, whether it’s got any worse and the impact it’s having on your day-to-day life.

I was injured in a hit and run – can I still claim?

If the driver who caused your injuries failed to stop, or they were uninsured, you could still be able to claim compensation.

The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) was set up to support people affected by road accidents where the party at fault cannot be traced or did not have insurance in place. So even if you have no way of claiming against the driver responsible, you could still claim through the MIB.

An experienced road traffic accident solicitor can help you to navigate this process. They will support you in submitting the evidence needed for the MIB to take on your case, and will keep you updated throughout.

How can First4Lawyers help?

Suffering any kind of accident can come as a big shock, and we know that the thought of making a claim can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to take some of the stress out of the claims process, so you can focus on your recovery.

We work with highly rated personal injury solicitors who share our values and client focus. They will work with you to present the strongest case possible, giving you the best chance of a successful claim.

For pedestrian accident claims, we work on a No Win No Fee basis. So there will be nothing to pay us upfront and no legal costs to cover if your case is unsuccessful.

Pedestrian accident claim FAQs

What is the average settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car?

All road accidents are different. So it is difficult to say exactly how much compensation you could be entitled to without knowing the details of your case.

But if your claim is successful, your compensation will be split into general damages and special damages.

General damages compensate you for the pain and suffering you’ve been through as a direct result of your accident. This will include any effect the injury has had on your lifestyle – such as having to give up an active hobby.

For an idea of how much your claim could be worth in general damages, try our free compensation calculator.

Special damages are different as they will compensate you for the financial impact your injury has had on your life. It will cover loss of earnings if you’ve had to stop working, medical treatment and the cost of mobility aids such as wheelchairs.

You can also claim back the cost of travel to and from medical appointments, so make sure to keep hold of any taxi receipts or bus tickets.

How long do I have to make a pedestrian accident claim?

You’ll usually have three years to make a claim after suffering a pedestrian accident. This may sound like a long time but we would always suggest speaking to a legal professional as soon as possible.

Doing this will give you the best chance of getting hold of important evidence, such as CCTV or dashcam footage. Plus, the sooner you start your claim, the clearer the details will be in your mind – and the in the minds of any witnesses to the accident.

There are some exceptions to the three-year rule, though. For instance, if you’re claiming on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity. In these cases, you will only face a deadline if the injured person regains the capacity to bring their own claim.

Similarly, if a child has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, a parent or guardian can make a claim on their behalf up until they turn 18. If a claim hasn’t been made by then, the child will have until they’re 21 to start legal action.

Will my pedestrian accident claim go to court?

We understand that the thought of having to appear in court is daunting. But it is actually very rare for these types of claims to go before a judge.

Usually, both sides will be able to settle on a compensation amount before getting to a point where court proceedings are needed. So you shouldn’t let this put you off starting the claims process.

In the unlikely event that your case does go to court, your solicitor will make sure you’re fully prepared and will be at your side throughout.

I was hit by a car as a pedestrian – what do I do?

If you’ve been hit by a car or another vehicle as a pedestrian, the most important thing to do is seek medical attention. Some injuries take longer to appear than others, so we would always suggest getting checked over by a medical professional.

After this, you might consider making a pedestrian accident claim. Our claims advisors are here to talk you through the process and answer any questions you may have. We’ll then let you know if we think you have a case for compensation.

If we think you do, you’ll be asked whether you’d like to be put in touch with one of our solicitors. It will be completely up to you to decide if you’d like to go forward at this point, and there will be the option to call us back at a later time if you prefer.

To find out more about how we could help you, get in touch with us today by calling the number at the top of the screen or by requesting a callback. We also have an online claims form if you’d prefer to reach us this way.

Whenever you’re ready, we’re here to support you.