3 years from date of accident
£1,200 – £24,000+
6 – 14 months
£0 · No Win No Fee
This guide is reviewed against current UK statute, Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026), and SRA guidance before publication. It is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to claim compensation. This includes being hit by a car, struck on a crossing, or injured due to poor road conditions. You generally have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim, and you can do so on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there is no financial risk in getting legal advice.
Being involved in a pedestrian accident can be frightening. One moment you are crossing the road, walking along a pavement, or stepping out of a car — and the next you are on the ground, in pain, and unsure of what to do or who to turn to.
The first thing worth knowing is that you are not alone. According to the Department for Transport, 19,176 pedestrians were injured or killed in reported road collisions in Great Britain in 2024. Pedestrians account for around one in seven of all road casualties that year. These accidents happen every day, in every kind of location, and many of them are entirely preventable.
This guide explains what a pedestrian accident claim involves, who can make one, what compensation may look like, and what steps to take to protect your position. It is written for people at the consideration stage: you have been through something difficult, you want to understand your options, and you are weighing up whether to take things further.
What is a pedestrian accident?
A pedestrian accident is any incident where a person on foot is injured due to a collision with a vehicle, a cyclist, or a hazardous road condition, and where that incident was caused by another party’s negligence.
All road users, including drivers and cyclists, have a legal duty of care to pedestrians. Drivers must take particular care near crossings, in residential areas, and anywhere pedestrians are likely to be present. Breach of that duty, which leads to injury, forms the basis of a compensation claim.
Pedestrian accidents cover a wide range of situations. The most common involve a vehicle striking a pedestrian on or near a road. But accidents can also happen on pavements, in car parks, at junctions, or in shared spaces. What matters legally is not just that an accident happened, it is whether someone else’s failure to take reasonable care caused it.
26%
409
5,823
pedestrians seriously injured in reported road collisions in 2024
These numbers matter because they tell us something important: pedestrian injuries are serious. Without the protection of a vehicle, the physical impact of even a relatively low-speed collision can be significant. That is why compensation claims for pedestrians often involve complex medical evidence and longer recovery timelines than other types of road traffic claims.
Am I eligible to make a pedestrian accident claim?
You are likely eligible if you were injured as a pedestrian within the last three years, and your injuries were caused by another road user’s negligence or a hazardous condition someone had a duty to maintain.
To make a pedestrian accident compensation claim in the UK, your situation needs to meet three basic legal tests:
- Duty of care existed. The other party, a driver, cyclist, or local authority, owed you a duty to take reasonable care on the road.
- That duty was breached. They failed to meet that standard. For example, a driver ran a red light, failed to stop at a crossing, or was using a phone while driving.
- The breach caused your injuries. Your injury is a direct result of that failure, not a pre-existing condition or unrelated incident.
You may also be eligible if:
- You were hit by a car while walking on a pavement or pathway
- A vehicle struck you at a pedestrian crossing
- You were injured in a car park or shared space
- You tripped on a poorly maintained pavement or road surface
- A driver who left the scene hit you (you may still claim via the Motor Insurers’ Bureau)
- You were a child at the time of the accident (different time limits apply)
You do not need to have been doing everything perfectly to make a claim. Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. Read more on shared fault in the section below.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents in the UK
Most pedestrian accidents do not happen by chance. They follow a pattern. The Department for Transport’s data shows that the most common contributory factor in pedestrian accidents involving drivers is failing to look properly, which was recorded in over 6,000 reported cases between 2019 and 2023.
| Cause | Examples | Likely Claim Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to look properly | Driver distracted, missed crossing signal | Strong claim |
| Speeding | Unable to stop in time, exceeded limit near crossing | Strong claim |
| Failure to yield at crossing | Jumped red light, ignored zebra crossing | Strong claim |
| Distracted driving | Using phone, adjusting sat-nav | Strong claim |
| Driving under influence | Alcohol or drugs impairing reactions | Strong claim |
| Poor road or pavement condition | Broken paving, unmarked hazard | Depends on council liability |
| Poor visibility or missing signage | No warning signs, unlit crossing area | Depends on responsible authority |
If you were hit because a driver failed to stop, was on their phone, or simply was not paying attention, liability is often straightforward. Cases involving road conditions or shared pedestrian spaces can be more complex, though they are not without merit. The important thing is to get advice early, while evidence is fresh.
What to do after a pedestrian accident
Seek medical attention first. Then report the incident to the police, collect evidence if you are able, note the driver’s details, and speak to a solicitor before making any formal statements to insurers.
The steps you take in the hours and days after a pedestrian accident can have a real bearing on the strength of your claim. Here is what to do:
1. Get medical attention
Your health comes first. Even if your injuries feel minor in the moment, attend A&E or your GP as soon as possible. Some injuries, particularly soft tissue damage, concussion, or internal trauma, do not always present immediately. A medical record created close to the time of the accident also becomes one of the most important pieces of evidence in your claim.
2. Report the accident to the police
Call 999 if the accident is serious or the driver has left the scene. For less urgent situations, report it to the police within 24 hours. An official police report documents the facts independently and can be vital when an insurer disputes what happened.
3. Collect evidence at the scene
If you are able to safely do so: photograph the location, the vehicles involved, the road conditions, any visible injuries, and your clothing. Note the registration plate of the vehicle, the driver’s name and insurance details, and contact details for any witnesses. If there is CCTV nearby, a shop, a traffic camera, a dashcam in a nearby vehicle, note it. Footage is often overwritten within days.
4. Note the driver's details
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, a driver involved in an accident involving a pedestrian must stop and provide their details. If they do not, that itself may strengthen your case. Make a note of everything you can recall as soon as possible after the accident, while your memory is clearest.
5. Speak to a solicitor before insurers do
Insurers, whether the driver’s or your own, will typically contact you early in the process. You are not required to make a formal statement or accept any offer without legal advice. Speaking to a specialist solicitor first gives you a clear picture of what your claim may be worth and helps you avoid settling for less than you are entitled to.
Pedestrian accident compensation explained
Compensation is calculated across two main categories: general damages for pain and suffering, and special damages for financial losses. The amount depends on injury severity, recovery time, and the impact on your daily life and earnings.
There is no single fixed amount for pedestrian accident compensation. Every case is different. What a solicitor will do is build a picture of your injuries, your recovery, and your losses, then calculate a figure that fairly reflects both the pain you have been through and the practical costs you have faced or will face.
General damages
This covers your pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, the medical term for the impact on your quality of life. Solicitors and courts use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to assess these figures. The JCG sets out compensation brackets for different types and severities of injury.
Special damages
This covers out-of-pocket financial losses caused by the accident. You can claim for things like medical treatment costs, travel expenses related to your recovery, lost earnings if you could not work, care costs if someone had to look after you, and future losses if your ability to work or live independently has been affected.
| Injury Type | Severity | Compensation Range |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tissue / minor injuries | Minor Bruising, cuts, minor strains recovering within months | £1,370 – £10,670 |
| Fractures / orthopaedic injuries | Moderate Broken bones including legs, arms, ribs | £5,000 – £100,000+ |
| Head and brain injuries | Serious Concussion to traumatic brain injury | £2,210 – £379,100 |
| Spinal injuries | Severe Minor back strain to serious paralysis | £6,290 – £1,000,000+ |
| Psychological trauma | Variable PTSD, anxiety, depression following accident | £1,540 – £100,670 |
Please note: These figures are general guidelines taken from the Judicial College Guidelines and are provided for information only. Your actual compensation will depend on the specific circumstances of your case, medical evidence, and any financial losses you have incurred. These figures do not constitute a guarantee of outcome. Speak to a solicitor for a proper assessment.
For serious injuries involving long-term care needs, lost career prospects, or permanent disability, compensation can run into six figures. Cases involving life-changing injuries are complex and require detailed medical and financial evidence, which is why specialist legal support from the outset makes a significant difference.
At Claim Time Solicitors, we handle pedestrian accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee is deducted from your compensation, your solicitor will explain exactly how this works before you proceed.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
You may still be able to claim. Under contributory negligence rules, your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility, but it would not automatically be removed.
A legal principle under the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945. Where a claimant is found to have contributed to their own injury, their compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them, but they can still receive a partial award.
A common example: if you were crossing outside a designated crossing point and a speeding driver struck you, a court might find you 25% responsible and the driver 75% responsible. In that scenario, you could still receive 75% of the total compensation value of your claim.
What this means in practice is that being partly at fault does not end your claim. It affects the size of the award, but it does not mean you have no rights. A solicitor will assess how fault is likely to be apportioned based on the specific circumstances of your accident.
- Jaywalking; crossing away from a designated crossing, is the most common cause of contributory negligence findings for pedestrians
- Crossing against signals (red man showing) may also reduce your award
- Distraction at the time of crossing; using a phone, for example, can be taken into account
- Even in these cases, if the driver was also at fault (speeding, distracted, failing to stop), a claim may still succeed
How the pedestrian accident claims process works
Short answer
Most straightforward pedestrian accident claims follow a five-stage process from initial assessment to settlement. Timelines vary depending on injury complexity and whether liability is disputed.
If you decide to pursue a pedestrian accident compensation claim, here is a broad outline of what to expect:
- Free initial assessment. A solicitor reviews your situation, advises on eligibility, and explains the No Win No Fee arrangement. This stage carries no obligation and no cost.
- Evidence gathering. Your solicitor collects the police report, your medical records, photographs, witness statements, and any other relevant evidence. An independent medical expert may assess your injuries.
- Letter of claim. A formal letter is sent to the at-fault driver’s insurer, setting out the nature of the accident, the injuries sustained, and the compensation sought.
- Insurer response. The insurer has a set period (usually three months) to investigate and respond. They may accept liability, dispute it, or make a settlement offer.
- Settlement or proceedings. Most claims settle before reaching court. If a fair offer is made, your solicitor will advise whether to accept. If not, court proceedings may be issued — though the vast majority of cases settle before a hearing takes place.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Initial assessment | Free advice, No Win No Fee agreement | Day 1 |
| Evidence & medical report | Records gathered, independent expert instructed | Weeks 2 – 6 |
| Letter of claim | Formal notification to defendant's insurer | Week 4 – 8 |
| Insurer investigation | Insurer assesses liability and makes response | Up to 3 months |
| Negotiation & settlement | Offer received, solicitor advises, claim settled | Months 4 – 12+ |
Minor injury claims, those involving soft tissue injuries with no lasting effects, often settle within a few months. Claims involving fractures, psychological trauma, or ongoing disability typically take longer, particularly where medical prognosis needs time to become clear. Your solicitor will advise on the best timing and strategy for your specific case.
At Claim Time Solicitors, we handle pedestrian accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee is deducted from your compensation. Your solicitor will explain exactly how this works before you proceed.
Key Takeaways
- Pedestrian accident compensation covers both the injury itself and all evidenced financial losses including lost earnings, care costs, and rehabilitation
- General damages range from £1,370 for minor soft tissue injuries to over £1,000,000 for the most severe spinal injuries under the Judicial College Guidelines
- Special damages for lost earnings, care costs, and rehabilitation can significantly increase the total value of a claim
- Most claims must be started within three years of the accident; different rules apply for children and those who lacked mental capacity at the time
- Contributory negligence reduces but does not extinguish a claim; being partly at fault does not mean you have no right to compensation
- If the driver cannot be traced or was uninsured, the Motor Insurers' Bureau provides a route to compensation
- No Win No Fee means no upfront cost and no financial risk if the claim is unsuccessful
Sources & References
- Department for Transport, Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: Pedestrian Factsheet 2024, published September 2025.
- Department for Transport, Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report 2024, published September 2025.
- Judicial College, Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 18th Edition.
- Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945.
- Road Traffic Act 1988, duties of drivers involved in road accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim compensation if I was hit by a car as a pedestrian?
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
How much pedestrian accident compensation could I receive?
What is the time limit for a pedestrian accident claim?
What happens if the driver who hit me drove away?
Legal disclaimer: This guide is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every pedestrian accident claim is different, and the information above may not apply to your specific situation. You should always seek independent legal advice before making any decisions. Claim Time Solicitors is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
