Pedestrian accident claims can be made by people who have been injured because a driver failed to take proper care on the road. Being struck by a vehicle can be a traumatic experience that can change the course of a person’s daily life. Many pedestrians find themselves facing challenges they had never anticipated before the accident, particularly when recovery is prolonged or the injuries are severe. If another road user was responsible for the accident, you could be entitled to claim compensation.
Road traffic accident compensation can play an important role in helping injured pedestrians move forward. A successful claim is intended to reflect the impact the collision has had on the individual’s life and recovery. Establishing how the accident happened is an important part of the claims process, particularly where liability is disputed or a driver denies responsibility.
No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct’s panel of experienced solicitors could help establish how the accident occurred and secure evidence in support of your claim. They understand that pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users and can suffer life-changing injuries in road traffic collisions. You do not have to navigate this difficult situation alone. Speak to our advisors today to find out how a solicitor from our panel could guide your pedestrian accident claim from start to finish.
- Call 020 8050 4194
- Use our contact form to request a call back.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Make A Pedestrian Accident Claim?
- Who Is At Fault When A Pedestrian Accident Occurs?
- Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accident Claims
- What Injuries Could Be Sustained In A Pedestrian Accident?
- How Much Compensation Could Pedestrian Accident Claims Pay?
- What Evidence Could Support Pedestrian Accident Claims?
- Pedestrian Accident Claims Time Limit
- How Can No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct Help You?
- No Win No Fee Pedestrian Accident Claims
- More Information
Can I Make A Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Yes, you can make a pedestrian accident claim if you were injured due to the negligent actions of a motorist or another road user. To make a successful claim, it must be shown that another road user breached the duty of care they owed to you and that this caused your injuries. This duty refers to the legal obligations that road users have to use the roads safely and responsibly in a way that avoids causing harm.
All road users owe one another this duty, whether they are a motorist or a cyclist. To comply with this duty, they must follow the rules and standards set out in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. The Highway Code also establishes a hierarchy of road users, which recognises that certain road users are more vulnerable than others. Because pedestrians have little physical protection in the event of a collision, drivers and other operators of larger vehicles are expected to take greater responsibility for reducing the danger they pose.
To make a pedestrian injury claim, you will need to show that:
- A road user owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty.
- The breach caused the accident and your injuries.
Speak to our advisors about pedestrian accident claims today. They can assess whether your potential claim has merit and connect you to a solicitor from our panel.
Who Is At Fault When A Pedestrian Accident Occurs?
The person at fault when a pedestrian accident occurs is the road user whose actions caused the collision and the injuries that followed. While drivers are often found liable in pedestrian accident claims, the circumstances of each accident must be carefully examined before responsibility can be established.
Because pedestrians are identified as one of the most vulnerable groups within the Highway Code’s hierarchy of road users, motorists are expected to exercise particular caution when driving in areas where pedestrians are likely to be present. This can be an important consideration where there is a dispute about how the collision occurred or whether the pedestrian contributed to the accident.
In some cases, a pedestrian’s actions may also be considered when liability is assessed. Evidence such as dashcam recordings and police reports can help establish responsibility.
One of our advisors can listen to the circumstances of your pedestrian car accident and advise on whether you have a valid case or could make a split liability claim.
Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accident Claims
Pedestrian accident claims commonly arise when a road user fails to respond appropriately to the presence of a pedestrian, resulting in a collision that could have been avoided. Collisions often happen in the few seconds when a driver should have slowed down or looked properly, as these example scenarios show:
- You are halfway across a zebra crossing when a driver carries on instead of stopping. With no time to move clear, the impact fractures your hip and leaves you anxious about using pedestrian crossings.
- While crossing the mouth of a side road, you are struck by a motorist who turns left without confirming that the crossing is clear and strikes you as you step forward. Your lower body takes the brunt of the impact, leaving you with multiple fractures to your legs and long-term mobility problems.
- In a supermarket car park, a driver reverses out of a space without looking behind them properly. You are thrown backwards head‑first onto the hard ground, resulting in a serious concussion.
- As you walk across the entrance to a school car park, you are left with no chance to avoid a van that turns in at speed without slowing to check the crossing area. The impact knocks you to the ground, fracturing your wrist and bruising your hip.
Every pedestrian accident has its own circumstances, and understanding exactly how the collision unfolded is an important part of building a successful claim. Speak to an advisor about the situation that caused your injuries.
What Injuries Could Be Sustained In A Pedestrian Accident?
Fractures and soft tissue damage are among the injuries that could be sustained in a pedestrian accident, but the severity of harm often depends on how the vehicle struck you and whether the impact knocked you onto the road. The examples below illustrate some of the more common types of harm suffered by pedestrians:
- Cuts, bruising and lacerations: Grazes and surface wounds often occur when skin scrapes against the road, particularly when someone reaches out to protect their face during a fall.
- Fractures: Pedestrians are vulnerable to fractures in the legs or hips because the lower body is typically the first point of contact with the vehicle.
- Head injuries: Impacts with a windscreen or the road can cause serious head trauma, from mild concussions to more severe brain injuries.
- Back and spinal trauma: The twisting forces created when the body is turned or lifted by a collision can create significant strain, leading to serious injuries like life-changing spinal damage.
- Internal damage: Direct contact with a vehicle can harm organs within the chest or abdomen, even where bruising is the only visible sign at first.
- Psychological harm: Anxiety may develop around pedestrian crossings or fast-moving traffic following a collision.
Fatal injuries can also occur in the most serious pedestrian accidents. Even where injuries are not fatal, the full impact of a collision may only become clear once symptoms begin to affect everyday life. Speak to our advisors today to discuss your injuries and find out how a solicitor from our panel could help you pursue a pedestrian accident compensation claim.
How Much Compensation Could Pedestrian Accident Claims Pay?
The amount of compensation pedestrian accident claims could pay will depend on the severity of the injuries sustained and the impact those injuries have had on your life. Your pain and suffering, as well as any loss of enjoyment of hobbies and daily activities linked to your injury, are covered by general damages.
When assessing the value of general damages, legal professionals often use the compensation brackets found in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) as a reference point. This document can be helpful with these valuations because it contains guideline compensation brackets for different injuries and levels of severity.
The table below contains figures taken from the latest edition of the JCG. However, the first figure has not been taken from the publication and has been included to illustrate how settlements involving multiple serious injuries and related losses can be valued. As every pedestrian accident claim is different, these figures should be treated as guidance only.
| Injury | Additional Information | Guideline Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Very Severe Multiple Injuries And Related Expenses | More than one severe injury and costs including lost wages, home adaptations and professional support at home. | Up to £1,000,000 or over |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | Little or no meaningful response to surroundings with a need for full-time nursing care. | £372,570 to £533,720 |
| Loss Of Both Legs | Permanent loss of both legs with profound effects on mobility, independence, and quality of life. | £318,120 to £372,570 |
| Severe Neck Injury (ii) | Serious cervical spine damage resulting in substantial loss of movement or function. | £86,860 to £172,970 |
| Severe Pelvis And Hip Injury (i) | Extensive fractures causing significant disability and long-term complications. | £103,580 to £172,970 |
| Loss Of Sight In One Eye With Reduced Vision In The Remaining Eye (ii) | Reduced vision in the remaining eye together with additional visual difficulties. | £84,490 to £140,020 |
| Severe Leg Injury (ii) – Very Serious | Multiple fractures or serious mobility problems requiring extensive treatment and ongoing support. | £72,440 to £117,210 |
| Fractures Of Jaws (i) | Multiple fractures causing prolonged treatment, ongoing pain, and permanent symptoms. | £40,280 to £60,160 |
| Moderate Back Injury (i) | A significant back injury causing ongoing pain, reduced mobility, and a risk of future complications. | £36,680 to £51,230 |
| Significant Facial Scarring | Visible scarring that leaves lasting cosmetic effects despite treatment. | £12,040 to £39,750 |
What Else Could A Pedestrian Accident Claim Cover?
Pedestrian accident claims can also cover financial losses linked to the injuries you sustained in a collision. These losses fall under special damages and can account for both past and future costs, depending on your circumstances. They may include:
- Lost income, including future earnings, if the injuries you sustained in the collision affect your ability to return to your previous role.
- Private treatment and rehabilitation costs, such as physiotherapy to support walking again or counselling to manage anxiety about crossing roads.
- Travel expenses incurred if your injuries made it unsafe or impossible to walk or use public transport independently.
- Care or home adaptations, where serious lower‑limb or spinal injuries have reduced your mobility and independence.
- Replacing electronic devices or other personal belongings damaged when you were struck by the vehicle.
Evidence is required when claiming special damages, so keeping hold of documents such as payslips and invoices can help demonstrate the financial losses you have incurred.
Every pedestrian accident claim is different, which is why it’s important to have your case assessed individually. Contact our advisors today for a free assessment and, if you have a valid case, a solicitor from our panel will work to identify your recoverable losses so they are properly considered.
What Evidence Could Support Pedestrian Accident Claims?
The evidence that could support pedestrian accident claims should help establish how the collision occurred, identify who was responsible, and demonstrate the injuries you sustained. The stronger the available evidence, the easier it can be to establish liability and accurately value your claim.
Evidence that may support a pedestrian accident claim includes:
- Medical records confirming the injuries sustained.
- Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, or the vehicle involved.
- CCTV or dashcam footage showing how the collision occurred.
- Witness contact details, allowing your solicitor to obtain independent accounts of the accident.
- The driver’s name, contact details, vehicle registration number, and insurance information.
- Police reports where the collision was reported to the police.
- Paramedic or ambulance service records documenting the treatment provided at the scene.
- Receipts, invoices, and other financial records supporting any expenses or losses caused by the accident.
For a more detailed explanation of the evidence that could support a claim, including how different types of evidence are used, please read our dedicated guide on the evidence needed for a personal injury claim or speak to an advisor now.
Pedestrian Accident Claims Time Limit
In most cases, you will have 3 years from the date of the accident to begin your pedestrian accident claim. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, including claims involving children and people who lack the mental capacity to manage their own legal affairs.
If you would like to learn more about the limitation period and the exceptions that may apply, take a look at our dedicated guide explaining the personal injury claims time limit in more detail.
As part of your free eligibility check, our advisors can also assess whether you are still within the relevant time limit to begin a pedestrian accident claim.
The journey begins with a no-obligation consultation. We assess your injury and evidence to explain your options clearly. If suitable, you'll be offered a No Win No Fee agreement immediately. Your dedicated solicitor gathers medical records and witness statements. We handle all communication with the negligent party and work tirelessly to prove their liability while you focus on recovery. We negotiate your settlement to ensure you receive the maximum compensation. If successful, a pre-agreed success fee is taken, and the remaining funds are paid directly to you. No success, no fee.About The No Win No Fee Claims Process
Free Case Assessment
Building Your Claim
Settlement & Compensation
How Can No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct Help You?
No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct can help you pursue pedestrian accident compensation by connecting you with experienced solicitors who understand the challenges these claims can present. If your claim is eligible, our panel can investigate the circumstances of the collision and build a case that reflects both your injuries and the wider impact the accident has had on your life.
A solicitor from our panel could:
- Investigate exactly how the collision occurred, including whether the driver ignored the priority of pedestrians.
- Build the strongest possible case by obtaining evidence that supports your account of how the pedestrian accident occurred.
- Arrange an independent medical assessment to understand how being struck by a vehicle has affected your recovery and any future care needs.
- Assess the full value of your claim by identifying both your injuries and any financial losses that have resulted from being involved in a collision.
- Present evidence and negotiate with the driver’s insurer to ensure the full circumstances of the collision and its impact on your life are properly considered.
Pedestrian accident claims can be more complex than they first appear, particularly where liability is disputed or the full impact of the injuries is still developing. Our panel has the experience to present your claim clearly, thoroughly, and with your long-term recovery in mind.
No Win No Fee Pedestrian Accident Claims
No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct’s panel of solicitors offers a No Win No Fee funding arrangement, helping injured pedestrians pursue compensation without adding unnecessary financial pressure during their recovery.
The No Win No Fee agreement used by our panel is a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under a CFA, you will not be required to pay your solicitor’s fees at the beginning of your claim or as it progresses.
If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay your solicitor for the work they have carried out under the CFA. If your claim succeeds, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your compensation. This fee is a legally limited percentage of the compensation awarded, as provided for by the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.
Contact No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct’s Advisors
If you would like to find out whether you could make a No Win No Fee pedestrian accident claim, speak to our advisors today. They can provide a free, no-obligation assessment of your circumstances, explain your legal options, and, if your claim is eligible, connect you with a solicitor from our panel who could help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Advisors are available around the clock:
- Call 020 8050 4194
- Request a consultation via our ‘contact us’ form.
More Information
Here are some more guides from No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct:
- Find everything you need to know about bus accident claims.
- Guidance on passenger accident claims.
- Details on making motorcycle accident claims.
The following external resources might be useful:
- Advice for road users from the Think! Road Safety Campaign.
- An NHS overview of providing first aid.
- Road Safety for Pedestrians from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
Thank you for reading our guide about pedestrian accident claims.