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Guide · Pedestrian accidents
Pedestrian Accident Claims
If you were hit by a vehicle while walking and the driver was to blame, you can usually claim against their insurer. If the driver was uninsured or drove off, you can claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). You may also be able to claim against the council if a road or pavement defect caused the accident, or against a cyclist who hit you. If you were partly to blame, you can usually still claim, but your compensation may be reduced.
Pedestrians have no protection from a vehicle, so even a low-speed impact can cause serious injuries. This guide explains who is responsible, what you can claim and what to do after an accident.
- Pedestrians killed in 2025
- 364
- Source
- Department for Transport, reported road casualties
- Whiplash tariff
- Doesn't apply to pedestrians
- Time limit
- Usually 3 years
Can you claim as a pedestrian?
Usually, yes, if someone else was to blame. Drivers owe a duty of care to everyone on the road, including people on foot. The Highway Code says that road users who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others, and pedestrians are the most vulnerable of all.
The Highway Code also says drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road they're turning into or out of at a junction, and to people on or waiting to cross a zebra crossing.
The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include drivers who:
- Fail to give way at a crossing or junction
- Turn without checking for people crossing
- Are distracted, for example by a phone
- Drive too fast for the conditions, especially near schools or in busy streets
- Reverse without checking it's clear, for example in a car park
You can claim for your physical injuries, psychological harm such as anxiety or PTSD, and the financial losses your injuries cause. In our £27,000 pedestrian case, a client was hit on a zebra crossing.
Who is responsible?
It depends on what caused the accident. More than one party can share the blame.
The driver
If a driver's carelessness caused your injuries, you claim against their motor insurer. Every driver must have insurance that covers injuries to other people.
The council
If a broken kerb, sunken manhole cover or other defect in the road or pavement caused the accident, the council or highway authority may be liable. See pavement and pothole claims.
A cyclist
You can claim against a cyclist who hit you through careless riding. Cyclists don't have to be insured, and the MIB doesn't cover them, so it can be harder to recover compensation. Some cyclists do have liability cover, for example through home insurance or a cycling membership.
A business or landowner
If you were hit in a car park, forecourt or delivery yard, the business that controls it may share the blame if it didn't manage the risk from vehicles. See the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957.
The Motor Insurers' Bureau
If the driver had no insurance, or drove off and can't be traced, you can claim through the MIB.
What if the driver was uninsured or drove off?
You can still claim. The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) compensates people injured by uninsured and untraced drivers in the UK.
- Uninsured driversIf the driver is known but had no valid insurance, you claim through the MIB, which pays compensation in place of an insurer.
- Hit-and-run driversIf the driver drove off and can't be identified, you can still claim through the MIB. Report the accident to the police as soon as possible.
MIB claims have strict rules and time limits, so get advice as soon as you can.
What if you were partly to blame?
You can usually still claim
If you stepped into the road without looking or crossed while distracted, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of the blame. It doesn't usually stop you claiming.
Drivers are expected to take care
A vehicle can cause far more harm than a person on foot, so courts usually expect drivers to bear most of the responsibility, especially near schools, in busy streets and at night.
Children
Children are judged by what's reasonable for their age, so a young child is rarely found to blame for running into the road.
See partly to blame for an accident? for how reductions work.
Common pedestrian injuries
Because pedestrians have no protection, injuries are often serious. Common injuries include:
Leg and knee injuries
Often where the vehicle makes first contact, from fractures to ligament damage.
Pelvis and hip injuries
Fractures that can affect walking and mobility for a long time.
Head and brain injuries
From hitting the vehicle or the ground, ranging from concussion to serious brain injury.
Back and spinal injuries
From soft tissue damage to spinal cord injury.
Arm and wrist injuries
Often from putting a hand out to break a fall.
Psychological injuries
Such as anxiety about crossing roads, PTSD or depression.
What to do after the accident
Get medical help
Call 999 if you're badly hurt. Otherwise, see a doctor or go to A&E as soon as you can, and explain how the accident happened.
Get the driver's details
Their name, address, registration and insurer. If they don't give their details, they must report the accident to the police within 24 hours.
Contact the police
Report the accident if the driver didn't stop or wouldn't give details, and keep the reference number.
Ask about footage
CCTV and dashcam footage is often deleted within days or weeks, so ask for it to be kept as soon as possible.
Take witness details
Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
Take photos and keep records
Photos of the scene, road markings and your injuries, plus receipts for your costs.
You don't need everything in place before you contact us. See evidence for a car accident claim.
Compensation guide
How much compensation could I get for a pedestrian accident?
The table below shows indicative ranges for some common injuries in pedestrian accidents, based on the current guidance used by the courts in England and Wales. Pelvis, hip, knee and ankle injuries are common too. Their value depends a great deal on the type of injury and how well you recover, so talk to us about yours. You can also claim for financial losses, such as lost earnings, treatment, care and travel costs.
| Type of injury | Key factors | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|
| Minor soft tissue injurySprains, strains and bruising | Recovery period, impact on daily activities | Up to £16,500 |
| Leg fracture (simple)A simple fracture of the tibia, fibula or femur | Recovery time, surgery required, long-term impact | Up to £18,500 |
| Arm or shoulder injuryFrom soft tissue damage to fractures and elbow injuries | Severity, dominant arm affected, impact on work | £5,500 – £42,000 |
| Moderate back injuryDisc, ligament or muscle damage with longer-lasting symptoms | Duration of symptoms, impact on mobility and work | £16,500 – £51,000 |
| Serious leg injuryComplex fractures and injuries with lasting effects | Multiple fractures, permanent symptoms or disability | £36,500 – £117,000+ |
| Serious back injuryLasting damage that may need surgery | Permanent symptoms, disc damage, nerve involvement | £51,000 – £212,000+ |
| Head and brain injuryFrom less severe brain injuries to life-changing damage | Cognitive impairment, personality change, long-term care | £20,000 – £530,000+ |
| Psychological injury (including PTSD)Anxiety, depression or PTSD caused by the accident | Severity, duration, impact on work and relationships | £2,000 – £150,000+ |
How to read these figures
- These are indicative ranges for pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. You can also claim for financial losses, such as lost earnings, treatment, care, travel, and damaged clothing or belongings. See how compensation is calculated.
- Figures are rounded and based on the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026). A "+" means the most severe cases can be worth more.
- Every claim is different. The amount you receive depends on your medical evidence and circumstances, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes.
Pedestrian accident claims: FAQs
Can I claim if I was hit by a car as a pedestrian?
Yes, if the driver was wholly or partly to blame. You claim against the driver's motor insurer. If the driver was uninsured or drove off, you can claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau instead.
What if I was partly to blame for the accident?
You can usually still claim, but your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of the blame, for example if you stepped into the road without looking. Courts usually expect drivers to bear most of the responsibility, and young children are rarely found to blame. See partly to blame for an accident.
What happens if the driver who hit me has no insurance?
You can claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau, which pays compensation when a driver has no valid insurance. The claim is handled in a similar way to a claim against an insurer, but there are extra rules to follow, so it's best to get advice early.
The driver drove away. Can I still claim?
Yes. If the driver can't be traced, you can claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau. Report the accident to the police as soon as possible and keep the reference number, as there are strict rules and time limits for these claims.
Can I claim if I was hit by a cyclist?
Yes, if the cyclist was to blame. But cyclists don't have to be insured and the Motor Insurers' Bureau doesn't cover them, so whether you can recover compensation depends on whether the cyclist has liability cover, for example through home insurance, or can pay themselves.
How long do I have to make a pedestrian accident claim?
You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. For children, the 3 years doesn't start until they turn 18, and a parent can claim for them before then. Different rules apply if someone lacks mental capacity. See how long you have to claim.
Hit by a vehicle?
Talk to our team for free, with no obligation. We'll look at what happened, work out who was responsible and tell you whether you have a claim. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.