By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 10th September 2024. Welcome to our guide to pedestrian crossing claims and pedestrian accident compensation. In it, we answer the questions of ‘how much compensation for being hit by a car UK could I claim?’ and ‘I hit a pedestrian with a car what happens?’. You’ll find some top tips on proving pedestrian accident claims too. We discuss how we could help with a pedestrian hit by a car claim and help you understand what’s involved in claiming compensation for a hit and run or other pedestrian accidents. Plus, we explain what affects how much compensation for a car accident as a pedestrian you could receive.
Whether you hit someone with a car or you’re a pedestrian hit by a car, this guide could prove useful. We even explain more about how the Motor Insurers’ Bureau could help someone getting hit by a car such as a pedestrian hit by a car claim hit and run compensation.
If you or someone you love has been injured due to a pedestrian accident, we can help you to get the compensation that you deserve. We have years of experience in the industry, and we have handled many cases like this before. If you have any queries or you would like to make a claim, you can reach our experienced and friendly team on 0800 073 8801. But first, make sure you read on to find out everything you need to know about pedestrian crossing claims.
Select a section
- Eligibility Requirements For Pedestrian Accident Injury Claims
- What Is The Time Limit For Pedestrian Accident Claims?
- What Are The Causes Of A Pedestrian Accident?
- Evidence To Support A Pedestrian Injury Claim
- How Much Compensation For Being Hit By A Car In The UK?
- No Win No Fee Pedestrian Accident Injury Claims
- Useful Links Relating To A Pedestrian Hit By A Car Claim
Eligibility Requirements For Pedestrian Accident Injury Claims
Every road user, including motorists and pedestrians, owe each other a duty of care to use the roads safely and responsibly to avoid causing harm to each other. They must also adhere to the rules and regulations found within the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code as part of their duty of care.
If you were a pedestrian who was hit by a car, to be able to make a pedestrian accident claim, you will need to meet this criteria:
- Someone owed a duty of care towards you.
- This duty was breached.
- You were injured due to this breach.
To see whether you could be eligible to make a pedestrian injury compensation claim, you can contact our advisors.
What Is The Time Limit For Pedestrian Accident Claims?
The Limitation Act 1980 states that the pedestrian accident injury claims time limit is 3 years. This time limit begins from the date the pedestrian was hit by a car.
However, there may be some exceptions to this time limit. Exceptions apply if the pedestrian injured:
- Is under 18 years old.
- Lacks the mental capacity to manage their own compensation claim.
In these cases, the time limit will be paused. While the time limit is paused, it is possible for a litigation friend to begin the claim on the pedestrian’s behalf.
If a litigation friend has not began the claim when the pedestrian either:
- Turns 18 years old.
- Regains mental capacity.
Then the usual time limit will commence from these dates.
For more information on the pedestrian accident injury claims time limit, and on how much compensation for being hit by a car could be awarded, please have a chat with us.
What Are The Causes Of A Pedestrian Accident?
There are many different types of accidents that could lead to a pedestrian accident claim. Some examples of how a pedestrian could be hit by a car include:
- Distracted driving – If someone is using a mobile phone, for example, and fails to spot a pedestrian crossing, they may not leave enough time to stop.
- Driving under the influence– Drugs and alcohol can impair concentration which is why there are legal limits in place for the amount of alcohol or medication that can be consumed before somebody is unfit to drive. If a pedestrian is hit by a drunk driver, this could lead to a claim.
- Speeding – It could be possible for speeding to cause a pedestrian injury. If a driver is operating their vehicle too quickly, they may not have sufficient stopping distance to avoid a collision safely.
- Failure to signal when turning – If a pedestrian is unaware that a vehicle is going to turn into their pathway because the driver does not indicate, they may attempt to cross the road. If the driver does not signal and causes an accident, this could lead to a pedestrian injury claim.
These are just a few examples. If you would like to check the eligibility of your specific case, you can contact a member of our advisory team today.
Evidence To Support A Pedestrian Injury Claim
If you are eligible to make a pedestrian accident claim, you will need evidence to support your case. Examples of evidence that could be useful include:
- CCTV footage or photographs of the incident – This could provide insight into what caused the accident and whose fault it was.
- Witness details – If, for example, you were a pedestrian hit by a car, and someone witnessed this, they could provide a statement to support your claim at a later date.
- Medical evidence – Providing you have sought medical help for your injuries, there should be a record of this in your medical notes.
- Financial documents – If your injuries have caused you to suffer financial losses or expenses, it would be wise to keep hold of any financial documentation that proves these costs.
Contact our advisors today to see if you could work with one of our solicitors. They could help you with gathering evidence to support your pedestrian injury compensation claim.
How Much Compensation For Being Hit By A Car In The UK?
If your pedestrian injury compensation claim is successful, general damages will be awarded, and special damages may also be awarded too.
General damages compensates you for the pain and suffering you have due to your injuries. Those calculating your general damages could look to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) for reference. This is a publication providing guideline payout brackets for a range of injuries. We have used some figures from the JCG in the table below.
However, this should only be used as guidance. Please note, the first figure has not been taken from the JCG.
| Injury Type | Severity | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries combined with financial expenses and losses. | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ | A combination of serious injuries that cause serious pain and suffering, and include financial expenses such as medical costs as well as short and long-term loss of income, for example. |
| Brain damage | Very severe (a) | £344,150 to £493,000 | 'Locked-in' syndrome with a substantially reduced life expectancy is a case that would be within this bracket. |
| Moderately severe (b) | £267,340 to £344,150 | A minimally conscious state with a substantially reduced life expectancy. | |
| Moderate (c) (i) | £183,190 to £267,340 | Changes to personality and intellect deficit will be moderate to severe. There is no chance of employment. | |
| Paralysis | Tetraplegia (a) | £396,140 to £493,000 | Upper and lower body. |
| Paraplegia (a) | £267,340 to £346,890 | Lower body. | |
| Leg | Most serious short of amputation (b) (i) | £117,460 to £165,860 | Where extensive bone grafting is needed because fractures have not united. |
| Serious (b) (iii) | £47,840 to £66,920 | Comminuted or compound fractures, or injuries to the ligaments and joints that cause instability. | |
| Neck | Moderate (b) (ii) | £16,770 to £30,500 | Soft tissue and wrenching injuries, or disc lesions leading to cervical spondylosis. |
Special damages compensates you for financial costs and losses you have sustained because of your injuries. Examples of special damages that could be awarded in a successful pedestrian accident claim could include:
- Travel expenses – If you have had to pay for trips to medical appointments because of your injuries or to meet with your lawyer.
- Care costs – If you have needed to pay for care at home because of your injuries.
- Loss of income – If you have been off work recovering from your injuries and have lost out on pay as a result.
- Medical expenses – These could include costs such as prescription fees, or mobility aids, for example.
You will need to provide evidence that these costs were reasonably incurred due to your injuries. To learn more about compensation for a pedestrian hit by a car claim, or to get a personalised estimate of your payout, please contact an advisor.
No Win No Fee Pedestrian Accident Injury Claims
If you have been hit by a car as a pedestrian and you are eligible to make a personal injury claim, one of our No Win No Fee solicitors can help you with your case. Our solicitors have lots of experience handling various types of personal injury claims and could help you through the claiming process by assisting you with gathering evidence and negotiating a settlement on your behalf.
Additionally, they may offer to support your pedestrian injury claim on a No Win No Fee basis with a Conditional Fee Agreement. With this type of arrangement in place, you generally won’t be expected to pay your solicitor anything upfront for them to begin working on your case. Furthermore, you won’t have to pay them for their work while your claim is ongoing or if it ends unsuccessfully.
Should they succeed with your pedestrian accident claim, they will be due a success fee. This will be taken directly from your compensation as a small percentage that is subjected to a legal cap.
To check your eligibility to work with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors, you can contact a member of our advisory team. They can also offer you free advice for your particular case and answer any questions you may have about the personal injury claiming process.
You can reach our advisors by:
- Calling 0800 073 8801
- Using our live chat.
- Contacting us online.
Useful Links Relating To A Pedestrian Hit By A Car Claim
We hope that you have found this guide helpful on your quest to find out more information regarding pedestrian crossing claims. If you are seeking further information, you may also find the following links useful:
- Requesting pedestrian crossings: If you would like to request a pedestrian crossing in your area, you can use this link to do so. You simply need to enter your postcode and then follow the instructions on the screen.
- Highway Code: The Highway Code, which features rules for pedestrians, including advice on situations that require extra care, as well as information on using crossings and crossing the road.
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Whiplash?: Did you suffer whiplash as a result of a road traffic accident? Read our guide.
- A Guide to Car Accident Claims: Would you like more in-depth information about claiming? Take a look at our car accident claims guide.
- Cycling Accident Claims and Advice: Cyclists are some of the more vulnerable road users. If you had an accident, read our guide to see if you could claim.
Thank you for reading our guide to pedestrian crossing claims and pedestrian accident compensation. Now, hopefully, you’ll have a rough idea of how much compensation for being hit by a car in the UK you could receive.
