If you were injured as a pedestrian, we can help you claim
Pedestrian accidents can result in severe and life-changing injuries, and the law recognises pedestrians as particularly vulnerable road users. Whether you were hit by a car, motorcycle, or even a cyclist, the physical and emotional toll of an accident can be significant. Pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere, from busy city streets to quiet residential areas, and are often caused by driver negligence, speeding, or failure to yield at a crossing.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident that wasn’t your fault, we can help you claim compensation to help cover your medical costs, lost wages, and ongoing care.
Things to consider when making a pedestrian accident claim
- By law, all road users owe a duty of care to each other, and must take extra care to protect vulnerable road users from harm.
- If you were involved in a collision with a negligent driver, biker, cyclist or other road user, you can claim compensation.
- You can claim even if you were hurt in a hit-and-run, and don't know the identity of the driver, or they were uninsured.
- You can also make a claim if you were injured by a poorly maintained or badly lit road or street.
- You must start your claim within 3 years from when your accident occurred - but the longer you wait, the harder it will be to gather evidence to support your claim.
- You can make a no win, no fee claim.
- Your compensation will be influenced by the extent of your injury, and your financial losses and expenses. Discover how much you could claim with our compensation calculator.
- Compensation will also consider the psychological impact, and you can claim for PTSD, anxiety and depression caused by the accident.
With around 2,000 pedestrian injuries every year, you are not alone
In 2023, there were 407 pedestrian fatalities (a 6% increase on 2022) and 19,153 casualties (gov.uk).
Children are particularly at risk, with the level of child casualties being 1.8 times higher for children aged under 12, than for the all ages average. (source: gov.uk)
Although the data shows a long-term trend where the absolute number of yearly pedestrian fatalities, serious injuries, and slight injuries have decreased since 2004 (despite an increase in pedestrian traffic), the risk of injury remains high.
If you decide to make a pedestrian injury claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.
See also:
Child injury compensation claims
What if the other party is uninsured or untraceable?
There are increasing numbers of drivers on the roads without valid insurance. Research from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) shows that 1.7 million drivers are uninsured, with the majority being located in the larger cities and urban areas of the country.
The MIB is a central fund that ensures people injured by an uninsured or untraceable driver, can still claim compensation.
Read more:
Claiming compensation through the MIB
How much compensation can I claim for a pedestrian accident?
Compensation for a pedestrian accident is based on:
- how severe your injury is,
- the disruption caused by your injury to your daily life and work,
- any expenses or financial setbacks caused by the accident.
Pedestrian injury
compensation calculator
Find out how much compensation you could claim in just a few minutes.
Check your legal eligibility and see if you qualify for a No Win, No Fee claim.
Updated October 2024
Compensation Calculator v3.1
General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages is compensation awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your pedestrian injury or negligent medical treatment. These damages aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had your injury not occurred.
Special damages will also cover your medical treatment expenses, that might include pain medication and physical therapy.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average pedestrian injury general damages compensation table
The following pedestrian injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Ankle injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Minor fractures, sprains, and ligament injuries with full recovery | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | A fracture or ligament injury with mild ongoing symptoms | £15,250 to £29,500 |
| Severe | Lengthy treatment required, and your ability to walk has been permanently affected | £34,740 to £55,540 |
| Very severe | Severe ongoing symptoms that are likely to worsen in the future | £55,540 to £77,340 |
Arm injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm fracture(s) | Simple fracture to one or both forearms; | £7,330 to £21,300 |
| Less severe | Less severe injury to one or both arms, with onoing disability but good prospects for recovery | £21,300 to £43,460 |
| Serious | Serious fracture of one or both forearms, with scarring and/or ongoing disability | £43,460 to £66,410 |
Back injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | A back sprain, disc prolapse, soft tissue injury or minor fracture that fully recovers without surgery | £2,720 to £13,870 |
| Moderate | A disc lesion, prolapse, fracture or soft tissue injury leading to chronic conditions, including pain, mobility issues, impaired sexual function, psychological effects, a risk of arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and nerve root irritation | £13,870 to £30,800 |
| Severe | Severe spinal cord damage, nerve root damage, disc lesions, fractures and soft tissues leading to serious chronic conditions | £43,020 to £178,590 |
Elbow injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery within 18 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £3,920 |
| Recovery between 18 to 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £7,210 |
| Recovery after 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms or damage | Up to £13,970 |
Facial injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple fractures | Multiple fractures of facial bones, with some facial deformity | £16,530 to £26,560 |
| Skeletal injuries | Le Fort fractures of frontal facial bones | £26,420 to £40,760 |
Jaw injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Simple fracture requiring immobilisation, and/or with full recovery | £7,160 to £9,690 |
| Serious | Serious fracture, with permanent symptoms (e.g. difficulty eating or nerve damage) | £19,930 to £33,830 |
Knee injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | E.g. dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus, that could cause future symptoms or weakness, or that exacerbated an existing injury | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | More serious knee injuries with a greater risk of future symptoms, pain and weakness | £16,460 to £29,050 |
| Serious | E.g. a leg fracture that extends to the knee joint, or injuries that cause constant pain and restricted movement, and/or a risk of osteoarthritis or future knee surgery | £29,050 to £48,210 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Simple tibia or fibula fracture | Simple fracture with full recovery | Up to £13,140 |
| Simple femur fracture | Simple femur fracture with no damage to articular surfaces | £10,110 to £15,620 |
Paralysis
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Paraplegia | £243,040 to £315,350 | |
| Tetraplegia & quadriplegia | £360,130 to £448,180 |
Pelvis and hip injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Injury with no residual disability and complete recovery in under 2 years | £4,380 to £13,970 |
| Moderate | Ongoing symptoms but no major disability | £13,970 to £43,460 |
| Serious | Including fracture of acetabulum and injuries with a risk of future hip replacement surgery or leg instability | £43,460 to £58,250 |
| Severe | More serious leg injuries with worsening future symptoms | £68,680 to £86,980 |
Post-traumatic stress
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Full, or near full, recovery within 1 to 2 years | £4,380 to £9,070 |
| Moderate | Mostly complete recovery | £9,070 to £25,680 |
| Serious | Significant impact on your life and work, and permanent effects but with a likelihood of improvement with professional support and treatment | £25,680 to £66,410 |
Shoulder injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tissue injury | Soft tissue injury with recovery in under 1 year, causing considerable pain | £2,720 to £8,750 |
| Clavicle fracture | Injuries causing some pain and disability, e.g. a displaced, fractured clavicle | £5,710 to £13,580 |
| Moderate | Soft tissue injury with recovery in under 2 years, and/or limited shoulder movement or frozen shoulder | £8,750 to £14,160 |
Wrist injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser | Relatively minor soft tissue injury or displaced fracture, with a full recovery within 12 months | £3,920 to £5,260 |
| Moderate | Uncomplicated Colles' fracture | Around £8,250 |
| Moderate | Fracture or soft tissue injury with complete recovery | £6,750 to £11,480 |
| Serious | Some permanent disability, persistent pain and/or stiffness | £13,970 to £27,180 |
The psychological impact of a road accident
Road accidents are often unexpected, shocking events that leave lasting psychological effects.
Our 2024 Road Injury Claimant Survey highlights how common psychiatric injuries are, with 32.47% of road accident claims involving psychological harm. 78.53% of these were also associated with a physical injury.
Pedestrian injuries can lead to anxiety and phobias about crossing streets or walking near traffic (dromophobia), or even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In turn, these fears can lead to social isolation and depression.
You can claim compensation for recognised psychological harm that arises from a road accident, including PTSD. Your solicitor will help ensure you can access help and mental health support that may not be available on the NHS in your area.
Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.
Do I qualify for pedestrian injury compensation?
You are entitled to make an injury claim for a pedestrian accident, if:
- you were injured within the last 3 years, and;
- another person was at fault, and;
- that person owed you a duty of care.
Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.
Can I claim if I feel I was partly to blame?
Identifying who is legally responsible for a claimant's injuries is not always obvious.
In our 2024 Road Injury Claimant Survey, 5.24% of injured road users felt they were at least partly responsible for their accident or injuries.
The legal term for cases where an injured person was (to some extent) responsible for their injuries is 'contributory negligence'. If there is fault on both sides of a claim, it is possible to pay reduced compensation on a split liability agreement.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How long do I have to make a pedestrian injury claim?
For most injury claims, you have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start the claims process.
The 3 year limitation period does not apply to minors (under 18s). A parent, guardian or litigation friend can start a claim on a child's behalf up to their 18th birthday and the child has until their 21st birthday to claim for themselves.
Changes to the Highway Code
As from January 2022, the revised Highway Code classes pedestrians as the most vulnerable road user. This rule means that all other road users must take the safety of pedestrians into account.
Drivers must now give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross the road from, or into which the driver is turning.
The new rule does not, however, give licence to pedestrians to do whatever they like on the road. The overriding rule of the Highway Code remains that all road users must take responsibility for their own safety.
Who is liable for a zebra crossing accident?
Pedestrians have right of way when using a pedestrian crossing. However, both drivers and pedestrians must obey the rules of the road and exercise reasonable care when using a crossing.
In many cases, it may seem obvious who was negligent. When making a claim, however, all of the accident circumstances will be taken into account, including:
On the part of the driver:
- failing to stop when the red light shows at a light-controlled crossing
- failing to stop when a pedestrian steps onto a Zebra crossing
- failing to slow down or approach a crossing with caution
- not giving due consideration to the weather or road conditions
- driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
On the part of the pedestrian:
- using the crossing carelessly, such as moving onto a crossing when the 'red man' is illuminated?
- darting in front of vehicles.
What if I used a pedestrian crossing carelessly?
It may be that both parties were negligent to some degree.
If there was blame on both sides, your compensation may be reduced by the degree to which you contributed to the cause of your injuries. This is known as 'contributory negligence'.
It is doubtful that a court will ever find you 100% at fault for a pedestrian crossing accident even if you crossed the road dangerously.
The 'Highway Code' places a high duty of care on drivers in respect of pedestrians. Drivers are expected to approach crossings with extreme caution and take extra care when driving in built-up areas or around schools.
Serious injury experience
Our solicitor panel has assisted pedestrians injured in vehicle collisions, and slips, trips, and falls on public pathways, as well as incidents involving:
- Hit and run driver accidents
- Reckless drivers
- Drivers who ignored signals, traffic lights, and zebra crossings
- Drivers using mobile phones, GPS devices, or who not paying attention generally
- Drunk drivers
- Drivers under the influence of drugs
Our efforts have resulted in securing substantial compensation awa5rds for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related costs, providing support for claimants' recovery and rehabilitation.
Pedestrian injury claim case study
A 29 year old pedestrian was awarded £50,000 compensation for pain and suffering and loss of amenity after she was knocked down on a zebra crossing by a motorbike.
The claimant was thrown several meters before landing on the road. She was knocked unconscious.
The claimant was taken to hospital by ambulance where it was confirmed she had suffered an acute subdural haematoma over the left frontal and parietal lobes, a fracture on the right hemisacrum, a fracture of the left superior articular facet of C7, a displaced fracture of the superior and inferior pubic rami on the right side and diastasis of the symphysis pubis.
She also suffered cuts and bruising to her torso, limbs and face.
Due to the claimant's head injury she was transferred to a specialist hospital for surgery. A plate was inserted into her place which remained in situ. The claimant remained in hospital for three weeks following the accident before being discharged. She stayed with her family for six weeks but had difficulty with moving and so required assistance with all daily activities.
The claimant received physiotherapy for 4 months. She was due to get married 4 months after the accident, but her injuries impacted on the wedding preparations, leading to increased stress.
A year after the accident the claimant suffered a stress fracture to the left femoral neck. She was left with scarring to her head, left shoulder, pelvis, lower leg and right ankle.
She was unable to return to full time work for 5 months. She was unable to play sport for some time before returning to her pre-accident ability. As a result of the injuries to her pelvis, she would require a caesarean section if she became pregnant.
Pedestrian injury claim settlement
A settlement could not be agreed between the claimant and defendant and the matter went to court. The court ordered that £50,000 be paid in damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
Who would I claim against?
You can make a no win, no fee claim with the guidance of a personal injury solicitor. Your solicitor will build a case and negotiate for the best possible compensation settlement, based on your injuries, lost earnings and other expenses.
The specific entity you would claim against depends on the circumstances of your accident and who was at fault.
If you were hit by a vehicle, the claim would be against the driver's insurance company. Claims for injuries due to poorly maintained pavements or public spaces would be made against the local authority, or the private owner of the land or property.
If your injury occurred in a work-related context and involved employer negligence, a claim would be made against your employer's insurance company.
Pedestrian injury claims will vary depending on the circumstances
The claims process for a pedestrian accident will vary based on where and how it occurred. Click the icons below to learn more.
Can I make a no win, no fee pedestrian injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim pedestrian injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to an injury specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
We are open until 9pm this evening.
or arrange a callbackAuthor:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.