Pedestrian accident compensation claims

What are the main causes of pedestrian accidents?

From motorists' speeding to failing to stop at red lights, there are many causes of pedestrian accidents. They can be the fault of a driver, cyclist or pedestrian and can cause serious injuries to those involved. If you were a pedestrian hit by a car, a claim can be made if another person was at fault for your injury, or at least partially to blame. 

Here are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents when a motorist may be at fault: 

• A driver failed to stop at a red light or crossing.
• A driver was going too fast.
• A driver was operating the vehicle recklessly and/or not paying attention to the road.
• A driver was intoxicated, under the influence of drugs or illegally using a handheld mobile device.

Pedestrians accounted for 22,397 casualties on Great Britain's roads in 2018, according to data from the Department for Transport. That's 14% of all road casualties in that year. We don't think it's fair that a pedestrian should suffer due to the negligence of another road user, which is why we're here to help make it right. If you'd like to find out more about claiming pedestrian injury compensation after an accident that wasn't your fault, get in touch with our friendly team of legal experts today.

What are the most common pedestrian injuries?

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, injuries can vary from mild to severe, and can sometimes even be fatal. The majority of police forces classify pedestrian injuries into five groups, including fatality. The other four are as follows:  

• Slight - includes whiplash, bruising, sprains and strains as well as shallow cuts.
• Less serious - includes minor head injuries, deep cuts and fractures to the hand, arm, collarbone, foot or ankle.
• Moderately serious - includes partial loss of a limb, chest injuries, deeply penetrative wounds and fractures of the thigh or pelvis.
• Very serious - includes severe head or chest injuries with loss of consciousness or difficulty breathing, a broken neck or spine and all internal injuries.

These are some of the most common pedestrian injuries - but if you don't see yours here, please don't worry. We may still be able to help you. Speak to us today and we'll let you know if you can claim pedestrian car accident compensation.

What should I do if I'm a pedestrian hit by a car?

When involved in an accident like being knocked over by a car or bus, or a hit and run, pedestrians are often unsure what to do next. You may be in shock about what's happened, but there are some steps to take after the accident that will make sure you get the help you need and the information to make a claim. 

• Seek medical help immediately and call the police and an ambulance to report your accident. 
• Make a note of your injuries and get details from the other driver involved if you can, including their insurance information, name, phone number and driving licence details. 
• If there's anyone that witnessed the incident, you should ask if they'd be happy to provide their details too. It's also important to get the make, model and registration of any vehicles involved in your accident and get photos of the scene if you can. 
• When you're ready, seek specialist legal advice. 

If you're a pedestrian hit by a car, what to do next may seem confusing, but rest assured our legal team is here to help. Don't hesitate to get in touch by requesting a call back and we'll talk you through your next steps.

How much pedestrian injury compensation could I receive?  

It's a question many people ask, but there's no simple answer, because every accident claim is different. The amount of pedestrian injury compensation you get will depend on a number of factors, including the type of injuries you have, the impact the accident had on your life and any money or income you've lost as a result. 

Our pedestrian injury lawyers will look at several things to calculate how much compensation you may be entitled to. For example:

• We'll assess the seriousness of your injuries and how they've affected your life, both in the short and long term.
• We'll look at the financial impact the accident has had, for instance, if you've lost income or had to take time off work. We'll also look at any costs you may be facing as a result of your pedestrian injury, such as any additional support you may now need.
• We'll look at the impact the accident has had on your home and social life, as well as your mental wellbeing.

To calculate your pedestrian car accident compensation, our legal experts use a range of methods, including the 15th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines. These set out the amount of damages you may be able to get if your claim is successful - but please note these are a guide and your final amount will depend on your individual case. 

Can pedestrian accident claims be made on behalf of someone else?

Yes, pedestrian accident claims can be made on behalf of someone else in certain situations. Sadly, sometimes pedestrian accidents can lead to serious head, brain and spinal injuries that can severely impact your loved one's ability to lead a normal life. This can be extremely distressing for all involved and it can also mean that your loved one is unable to make a claim for themselves. In this case, you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. 

Claiming for them could help them get the financial support they need to get their life back on track. We'll guide you through the process of making a claim and work with you to get the compensation they deserve.

Unfortunately, if a pedestrian is hit by a car and their injuries are extremely serious, the accident may be fatal. If your loved one died after being hit as a pedestrian, you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf. We know this can't take away what happened or the grief you're going through. But it may give you the financial support you need at a terribly difficult time. 

How do I make a pedestrian accident claim?

We understand that as a pedestrian hit by a car or another vehicle, you'll have been through a very traumatic event. That's why we aim to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. 

To get started, all you have to do is call , or request a call back and our pedestrian injury lawyers will be happy to talk things through. Or you can use our claim online tool to start your claim online today. We'll give you free, impartial advice and let you know if we think you can make a pedestrian injury claim. There is absolutely no pressure to go ahead - you decide if you'd like to claim in your own time, at your own pace.

Is there a time limit for making pedestrian accident claims?

Making pedestrian injury claims might seem like too much while you're coming to terms with the after-effects of your accident. However, for most adults there is generally a three-year time limit from the date of the accident to make a claim. And in our experience, it's best to start the process as soon as you feel able to, while things are still fresh in your mind. 

There are some circumstances where the three-year rule may be different. If you were under 18 when the pedestrian accident occurred and your parents or guardians didn't claim on your behalf, you have until your 21st birthday to make a claim. You may also have longer to apply if you suffered a brain injury which affected your mental capacity.

If your three-year deadline is approaching, please get in touch with us as soon as possible, while we can still help you gain the compensation you deserve.

Can pedestrian accident claims be made on a no win no fee basis?

Yes, most of our pedestrian car accident claims are made on a no win no fee basis. This means that if you don't win your claim, you pay nothing to anyone - as long as you have the right insurance policy in place which pays the costs if your claim fails, which we can arrange for you. 

If you win your claim, your pedestrian accident lawyer will typically make the following deductions from the compensation you are awarded:

• A ‘success fee' for winning the claim.
• The other side will usually be required to make a payment towards your legal costs -  and expenses but any shortfall may also be deducted from your compensation.
• The cost of the premium for any legal protection insurance you may have needed to ensure your claim is risk free.

You keep the rest and this will always be the majority of the compensation awarded to you. The deductions we list above will only be made when your compensation is paid. There are no upfront costs and no hidden charges.when you claim pedestrian accident compensation with us.

If you were a pedestrian and hit by a car, claiming compensation may help you get your life back on track. Get in touch with us on , request a call back or start your claim online with our claim online tool.