Pedestrian Accident Claims Solicitors

What are the main causes of pedestrian accidents?

Pedestrian accidents can often happen in a split second, and it is not always obvious who is to blame.

Often, the driver of the vehicle is at fault; sometimes, the pedestrian may have contributed to the accident, and in some cases, there is a mix of responsibility on both sides.

When the driver is at fault, the most common causes for a pedestrian accident include:

• The driver failing to look properly
• The vehicle being driven at an excessive speed, usually beyond the speed limit
• The driver was distracted, including using a mobile phone
• The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs

When a pedestrian is at fault, or partly at fault, the most common causes resulting in an accident include when the pedestrian:

• Fails to adequately check for oncoming traffic, especially at road junctions or crossings
• Crosses the road in a hurry
• Steps out into the road from between parked cars, leaving drivers with little time to react
• Does not use the designated crossing
• Wearing dark clothes at night, making it much more difficult for drivers to see them.

As you can see from the examples above. The blame for pedestrian accidents is not always obvious. As a pedestrian, even if you feel you may have contributed to the accident, that does not automatically mean you are entirely responsible and, therefore, unable to claim.

Road users, especially those in vehicles, have a duty of care to all other road users, including pedestrians. If you have suffered injuries from being hit by a car you may have a right to claim compensation for your injuries.

How much compensation can I claim if I’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident?

The amount of compensation you may receive after a pedestrian road accident will depend on the severity of your injuries and how they have affected your day-to-day life.

Compensation amounts may vary from a few thousand pounds for relatively minor injuries to hundreds of thousands of pounds for more serious injuries.

Compensation is calculated by combining the compensation you may receive for general and special damages.

Compensation for general damages is awarded in relation to the severity of your injuries, while special damages are awarded for any expenses you have incurred or may incur in the future.

General damages are valued using the Judicial College Guidelines. These guidelines help determine compensation for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by your injury, based on the type of injury, how severe it is and the impact it may have on your life.

Compensation for special damages is awarded for expenses you may have incurred or may incur in the future as a direct result of your injuries.

The amount of compensation you may receive for special damages may include, but is not limited to:

• Loss of earnings or potential future income, including pension
• Medical expenses, such as rehabilitation and ongoing treatment
• Care and support costs, even where care is provided by a family member or friend
• The cost of adaptations you may need to make to your home
• Travel and motor expenses, including journeys to appointments and parking costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses incurred because of your injuries.

Can I make a no win no fee pedestrian accident claim?

Yes, you can make a no win no fee claim for a pedestrian accident. Our road traffic accident claim solicitors provide our legal services on a no win no fee basis, which means you can claim with the peace of mind that you are at no financial risk if your claim is unsuccessful.

No win no fee agreements are also known as Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA). When a no win no fee agreement is set up, your solicitor will take an insurance policy out on your behalf. The policy protects you against any costs incurred relating to your claim. These costs could include the legal fees of the driver, medical reports, court costs, and other expenses.

Our specialist solicitors will explain how the policy works and what fee may be paid if your claim is successful.

What is the time limit to make a claim if I’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident?

In the majority of cases, you will have up to three years from the date of the accident, or three years from the date you became aware of your injuries, to start your claim.

The three-year time limit is set by the Limitation Act 1980. However, there are a few exceptions when the time limit can be extended.
They are as follows:

The person injured lacks the mental capacity to claim

The timeframe for claiming is extended until the person is able to claim. If this is not possible, a trusted family member may claim on their behalf.

The person injured was a child

For pedestrian accidents involving children, the three-year time limit begins once they turn 18, meaning they have up to their 21st birthday to start a claim. However, a parent or legal guardian can claim on their behalf before their 18th birthday.

The accident was fatal

In the extremely tragic circumstances when a road traffic collision has resulted in the death of a pedestrian the three-year time limit will start from the date of death rather than the date of the accident if that is different.

While the three-year time period does give those injured an extended period to consider a claim, we recommend that you start your claim as soon as possible to provide us with the best opportunity to compile as much evidence as possible.

What evidence do I need to provide when making a pedestrian accident claim?

To support your claim, our specialist solicitors will need to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

To do so, our solicitors may ask you how the accident happened and may start to compile evidence to help with your claim.

In most cases, we may ask about the following:

• Details of where and when the accident happened
• Who do you think may have been at fault for the accident, and how the collision occurred
• Contact information for the driver involved, including registration number, if possible
• If the incident was reported, and to whom
• If there is any evidence of the accident scene, such as photographs, video or CCTV
• If there were any witnesses, and if you have any contact information for them
• A copy of the Police report, or if there is an incident reference number
• The type and level of injuries you suffered, or may still be suffering and how they have impacted your life.
• Details of any medical treatment you have received

This evidence helps establish who was responsible for the accident, demonstrates the severity of your injuries, and proves the financial losses you have suffered.

Don’t worry if you do not have all this information. Once instructed, our solicitors can help gather the evidence needed to support your claim on your behalf.

How long does a pedestrian accident claim take to settle?

The time it takes for a pedestrian accident claim to settle will depend on how complex the case is.

In straightforward claims, where the responsible party admits liability quickly, a settlement may be reached within a few months. If liability is disputed, or further evidence and investigations are needed, the process can take longer.

Every claim is different, so there is no fixed timeframe. Once we understand more about your accident and the circumstances surrounding it, our solicitors will be able to give you a clearer idea of how long your claim may take.

Can I claim on behalf of a child who has been hit by a car?

Yes, you can make a pedestrian accident claim on behalf of a child if you are their parent or legal guardian.

When a child is injured, you can bring a claim on their behalf as their litigation friend, meaning you will make decisions in their best interests throughout the process.

The physical and emotional impact of a child being involved in an accident cannot be understated, and our experienced legal team is here to support you.

Compensation for a child can help cover medical treatment, therapy, and any additional support they may need if the accident affects their schooling.

You may also be able to claim for the time you have had to take off work to care for them, helping to protect your family’s financial stability while they recover.

It’s also common for parents to worry that they may not be able to claim because “my child ran into the road.” Even in situations like this, you may still be able to claim compensation.

Fault is not always clear-cut, and drivers still owe a duty of care to take reasonable steps to avoid hitting a pedestrian, especially a child. In some cases, responsibility may be shared between both parties, but this does not prevent a claim from being made.

Can I claim for a hit-and-run pedestrian accident?

Yes. Even if the driver left the scene and you were unable to identify them, you may still be able to claim compensation for your injuries.

Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are handled through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which exists to compensate people injured by untraced or uninsured drivers. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau compensates victims of road traffic accidents when the driver responsible cannot be traced or does not have valid insurance.

A “hit-and-run” is defined as an accident where the driver leaves the scene without providing their details.

Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a driver involved in a collision must stop, provide their name, address and insurance details, and report the incident to the police within 24 hours if these details were not exchanged at the scene. If they fail to do so, the MIB can help identify them, and a claim can be brought.

Can I claim for a pedestrian accident if the driver wasn’t insured?

Yes. If an uninsured driver hit you, you still have the right to claim compensation. A claim may be made against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

Will I need to go to court if I claim?

In most cases, you won’t need to go to court when making a pedestrian accident claim. Only a small number of personal injury claims ever reach that stage, and we will do everything we can to settle your case well before then. If a court hearing is required, we’ll explain exactly what to expect and support you throughout the process.

What is the Department for Transport report on pedestrian accidents?

The main findings in the latest report from the Department for Transport, published in September 2025, said that between 2020 and 2024:

• An average of 7 pedestrians died, and 104 were seriously injured per week in reported road collisions
• Nearly three in five (55%) of pedestrian fatalities were in collisions involving a single car
• 29% of pedestrian fatalities occurred on roads in rural areas compared to 13% of all pedestrian casualties
• 57% of pedestrians killed or seriously injured were male
• The most common cause of fatal or serious collisions was “ineffective observation by the driver, rider or pedestrian.”