Things to consider when claiming for a petrol station accident
- You must start your claim within 3 years from when the injury occurred.
- You're eligible to claim under a no win, no fee agreement.
- Your compensation is based on how serious your injury is, along with your financial losses and expenses. Check our compensation calculator to see how much you could claim.
- You can proceed with a claim, even if the other party didn't have insurance or you don't have their contact details.
- You can claim compensation even if you think you may be partly to blame.
If a petrol station injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Petrol Station Injuries typically involve collisions between two or more cars, forecourt slips on oil or fuel, injuries from car wash equipment, or burns from flammable liquid explosions.
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a petrol station accident, we can help. If your injuries were caused by another driver, cyclist, pedestrian or any other road user, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
You can make a No Win, No Fee road injury compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
1/3 or all major injuries are from slips and trips - you are not alone
Slips and trips are responsible for around 1/3 of all major injuries, and the risk of fractures and other serious injuries increases in the context of petrol and cleaning fluid spills.
Typically there are no specific traffic routes around a petrol station forecourt. This means pedestrians may have to weave between cars while they make their way from the petrol pump to the payment kiosk.
Pedestrian accidents are frequently caused by drivers failing to account for people crossing the station on foot.
Can I claim if I get hit by a car on the station forecourt?
The general rule is that both drivers and pedestrians have a duty to be on the alert for each other. Pedestrians need to watch out for cars and proceed sensibly.
The duty imposed on drivers is greater. Drivers must be mindful of pedestrians and other cars, and also maintain a low maximum speed.
If you were injured crossing the forecourt, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim from the driver's insurers. To succeed, a claimant must prove that the driver (the defendant), failed to show due care and attention.
See also:
What can I claim if a car collides with mine?
Liability for vehicle collisions in a petrol station is sometimes viewed as being shared by the parties involved. A decision regarding liability will depend on the available evidence in each case, including injuries sustained and vehicle damage.
If the evidence shows the claimant was driving responsibly, liability is likely to lie solely with the defendant.100% of the compensation will be awarded to the claimant.
If both parties were found to have been partly responsible for the accident, either by driving carelessly or by failing to take precautions against injury (e.g. by not wearing a seatbelt) a split liability claim may be possible.
What if the driver was uninsured or untraceable?
If the driver responsible for the injury is either uninsured or untraceable, a claim can be pursued through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
The MIB is an independent that pays road accident compensation to the victims of uninsured or untraced (unidentified) drivers.
Can forecourt CCTV evidence be used in my claim?
Many petrol stations now have CCTV cameras installed. This means that the majority of accidents will have been recorded. CCTV footage can help establish liability, and can be presented as evidence in your claim.
Most petrol stations only keep footage for a short period before deleting it. Some companies will have data protection issues regarding the release of footage.
To avoid the risk of losing CCTV evidence, speak to a solicitor as soon as possible. The solicitor can request that relevant footage is retained, or a copy made, on your behalf.
How much compensation can I claim for a petrol station accident?
Your claim for compensation in an injury at a petrol station will depend on:
- how severe your injury is,
- how much your injury affects your daily life and work performance,
- the financial costs and losses you have experienced due to the accident.
Petrol station 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 January 2025
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 are awarded to compensate you for any costs or losses you've incurred or might incur as a result of your accident. These costs might include loss of earnings, damage and repairs to your car, or any other out of pocket expenses.
Special damages may also be awarded for medical treatments or procedures that you might need to treat your petrol station injury, including 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 petrol station injury general damages compensation table
The following petrol station 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Am I entitled to make a petrol station injury claim?
Yes, you can claim compensation for a petrol station accident, if:
- you were injured within the last 3 years, and;
- another party was responsible, and;
- that party owed a duty of care to protect you from foreseeable risks.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.
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 2025 Road Injury Claimant Survey, 5.24% of injured road users felt they were at least partly responsible for their accident or injuries.
Claiming compensation is still an option even if you were partly at fault. These contributory negligence cases are typically resolved with a split-liability agreement.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How long after a petrol station injury do I have to claim compensation?
An injury claim will usually need to be made within 3 years of the date or your accident or injury.
For injured children, a claim can be started by a parent or guardian at any time before they turn 18. Thereafter, the injured individual has until their 21st birthday to make a claim on their own.
What was the cause of your petrol station injury?
Petrol station injury claims are usually referred to as public or occupiers' liability claims. Click on the icons below to learn more:
Can I make a no win, no fee petrol station injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim petrol station 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 a road accident specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
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.