Motorsport Injury
Compensation Claims

If a motorsport injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a motorsport injury, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You can make a No Win, No Fee sports injury compensation claim with the help and support of a solicitor.

You are not alone

According to the Motor Sports Association (MSA), more than 5,000 motor sports events are staged all over the country each year.

Despite the high speeds, risk of injury at these events is low for both the drivers and the spectators - owing to strict safety measures. However, accidents can and do happen.

If you were injured in a motorsports or related accident where another party was at fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation.

If you decide to make a motorsport 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.

How much compensation can I claim for a motorsport accident?

The compensation you can claim for a motorsports accident will depend on:

• the nature and severity of your injury,
• how your injury influences your daily activities and work abilities,
• any financial impacts or losses resulting from the accident.

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 motorsport 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, physiotherapy and psychological support.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average motorsport injury general damages compensation table

The following motorsport 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).

Back injury

Neck injury

Whiplash

Wrist injury

Can I claim for PTSD or other psychological trauma?

If you have suffered psychological harm in addition to a physical injury or illness, you are not alone.

According to our 2024 Personal Injury Claimant Survey shows that 29.03% of potential claimants sustained a psychological injury, 70.97% of which related to a physical injury.

Motorsport injuries typically trigger anxiety about speed and control, potentially leading to hesitancy in future races. PTSD is common after serious accidents.

Psychiatric harm is less obvious than physical injury, but the consequences can be just as difficult to deal with.

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.

Am I eligible for motorsport injury compensation?

You should be entitled to motorsport injury compensation if your injury resulted from the negligence or actions of another person or organisation, or from an accident that was not your fault.

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.

Claiming when you're partially at fault

Personal injury claims often involve circumstances where there is some degree of blame on each side.

We found that, in our 2024 Public Liability Injury Claimant Survey, 17.45% of respondents were unsure as to which party was legally liable for their injuries.

Even if you partly caused the accident or your injuries (refered to as 'contributory negligence'), you may still be entitled to make a claim. These claims can often be settled on the basis of a split liability agreement.

Read more:

Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?

What types of motorsports accidents can occur?

Accidents involving a driver or passenger

Although rare, particularly in professional motorsports, the most obvious accidents involve the drivers themselves. Whether this involves a motorcycle or other road vehicle veering out of control or a collision between two vehicles, the injuries sustained can include: head injuries and neck injuries; lacerations; bruises; burns; broken limbs; and spinal damage.

Non-professional drivers, or drivers participating in a motorsports leisure activity such as a fast car racing experience (or their passengers), are included in this category.

See also:

Spinal injury compensation claims

Accidents involving spectators

For the most part, watching motorsports as a spectator is safe. However, there is always potential for accidents and injury to occur. Not only is there an evident risk of fast-moving vehicles or motorcycles careering out of control and into spectator barriers, but there are also a range of other hazards. These include:

• Dirt or grit from the track being thrown up into a spectator's face and eyes
• Overcrowding in the spectator areas or stands
• Slips, trips and falls from stairs, unmarked obstacles or wet surfaces throughout the venue

Motorsports festivals

Motorsports festivals, such as Goodwood's Festival of Speed, attract large crowds. As well as races and rally events, other activities include vehicle displays, arts performances, air displays, consumer stalls and hospitality.

As well as the general risks to driver and spectator, each of these additional activities presents its own set of hazards, from crush injuries from overcrowding and faulty seating or standing areas to incidents involving vehicles.

Who is liable for motorsports accidents?

Who is liable in a motorsports injury claim depends on the context in which the accident occurred and who was responsible for the safety of the person involved at the time.

All motorsport event organisers - whether they are the race promoter, track owner, motor club or the governing body - have a legal duty to ensure the safety of the drivers (and passengers) as well as the spectators. They must carry our full risk assessments and put adequate measures in place to control any that are identified.

If they do not, and a person is injured as a result, their actions would be seen as negligent and could therefore be held liable. Examples of negligence in motorsport injury claims include:

• Failure to check for potential track damage or obstacles
• Poor communication during events
• Failure to install adequate, safety approved barriers
• Poor signage warning of potential dangers
• Inadequate training of marshals
• Insufficient crowd and event management

Motorsport compensation claims are often complex requiring detailed knowledge of safety guidelines set by the relevant international and national governing bodies including:

• The FIA (Federation Internationale de L'Automobile)
• The ACU (Auto Cycle Union) - for motorbikes
• or the MSA (Motor Sports Association) - for cars

A solicitor can help a claimant navigate these complexities. Your solicitor can also offer advice on the types of evidence that will help your case; such as medical records, witness statements and the organiser's health and safety records.

All organisers of motorsports events are required to have public liability and employer liability insurance to cover such claims.

What was the cause of your motorsport injury?

The claims process will vary depending on how your injury happened. Click the icons below to learn more:

Work accidents Public places Road accidents Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.