Pedestrian accident claims

It is easy to assume that all road accidents involve vehicles such as cars, bicycles or motorbikes but many accidents involve pedestrians as well.

As a pedestrian you expect there to be some form of protection to ensure your safety. Whilst you accept that you have a degree of responsibility to yourself and other pedestrians and road users it is not unreasonable to expect the same.

There is some protection afforded to you by the Highway Code but in most cases you are at the mercy of other road users. You rely upon their driving with due care and attention but unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Many pedestrians, especially children are involved in road accidents each year in the UK which often result in a serious injury or death. The sad fact here is that most of these are preventable.

If you or someone in your family has been injured as a pedestrian as a result of a road accident then you may be able to claim compensation.

Common types of pedestrian accidents

These include:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Driving without due care or attention
• Distracted
• Ignoring traffic signals, e.g. traffic lights

There are many other causes but these are the most common factors involved.

If there is evidence to show that the accident was not your fault then you may be entitled to compensation. This applies even if an accident has occurred but you have no recollection of it.

Effects of a pedestrian accident

Accidents involving pedestrians are serious affairs but even worse if a child is involved.

The physical and psychological trauma caused is much worse in a child and equally distressing for the family. There is the physical pain of the accident itself plus the mental and emotional distress caused which can persist for many years.

In some cases this results in post traumatic stress disorder.

If you have been involved in an accident as a pedestrian then there are additional consequences which include loss of earnings due to time off work; travel to hospital on regular occasions which means taxi fares or car parking charges; specialist nursing care; rehabilitation services, e.g. physiotherapy and specialist aids.

Making a claim for compensation for a pedestrian accident

Find a firm of solicitors or a personal injury lawyer who specialises in these types of claims. They will have knowledge and experience plus an understanding of the many issues involved.

Personal injury claims can be complex situations which require the services of an experienced legal firm.

They should handle your claim with sensitivity and an awareness of how this has affected your quality of life. Whilst compensation cannot undo what has happened, nevertheless it can help to improve your quality of life.

Your lawyer or solicitor will assess your claim beforehand to see what grounds there are for compensation and the likely outcome.

This rests upon the issue of negligence: if it can be proved that your accident was caused by someone else then you have a greater chance of obtaining compensation.

Find out more in our making a claim for compensation section.

Time limit for claiming compensation for a pedestrian accident

Claims for compensation for personal injury have a 3 year time limit which starts from the date of the accident. However, check with your lawyer or solicitor about this as it does differ in certain types of claims.