Pedestrian Accident Claims — Compensation
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Pedestrians struck by motor vehicles frequently suffer serious injuries. If a negligent driver caused your accident, EA Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim the compensation you deserve on a no win, no fee basis — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users and can suffer severe injuries
- Drivers owe pedestrians a high duty of care, especially at crossings
- Claims against untraced drivers can be pursued through the Motor Insurers' Bureau
- Children can claim until their 21st birthday
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
Pedestrian Accidents and Driver Negligence
When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, the consequences are frequently severe. Unlike vehicle occupants, pedestrians have no protection whatsoever, and contact with even a slow-moving vehicle can cause fractures, head injuries and internal injuries. At higher speeds, pedestrian accidents are often fatal or leave lasting disability.
Drivers have a legal duty under the Highway Code and the common law to take particular care where pedestrians are present, especially at crossings, near schools, and wherever children may be expected. A driver who fails to observe a pedestrian and strikes them will in most circumstances be held liable.
Common Scenarios in Pedestrian Accident Claims
- Struck at a pedestrian crossing — a driver fails to stop at a zebra crossing or drives through a red traffic light
- Reversing vehicles — drivers reversing without adequate observation
- Pavement mounting — drivers losing control and mounting the kerb
- Left-turning vehicles — failing to observe pedestrians crossing at traffic lights
- Emerging from driveways — failing to see pedestrians on the pavement
- Hit-and-run — driver strikes pedestrian and flees the scene
- Car park accidents — pedestrians struck in supermarket or retail car parks
- Speeding drivers — excessive speed prevents safe stopping
Typical Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accident injuries vary enormously based on vehicle speed and the point of impact:
- Fractures — legs, pelvis, arms and ribs are commonly broken on impact
- Head and brain injuries — from simple concussion to traumatic brain injury requiring neurosurgical intervention
- Internal injuries — abdominal trauma and internal bleeding
- Spinal injuries — particularly where the pedestrian lands awkwardly after being struck
- Soft-tissue injuries — muscle and ligament damage throughout the body
- Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety about using roads, depression
- Fatal injuries — where speed or the nature of the impact leaves no chance of survival
Evidence Needed for a Pedestrian Accident Claim
- Police accident report and reference number
- Photographs of the scene, the vehicle, the road and your injuries
- CCTV from shops, offices or traffic cameras at the scene
- Dashcam footage from other vehicles
- Witness names and contact details
- Medical records from A&E, GP and any specialist treatment
- Payslips and financial records showing losses
What Compensation Can You Recover?
As with all personal injury claims, compensation is split between general damages (for pain, suffering and loss of amenity) and special damages (for financial losses). Pedestrian accident claims involving serious injury will typically include significant claims for lost earnings, rehabilitation, care and future losses. We work with medical and rehabilitation experts to ensure the full extent of your losses is properly evidenced and claimed.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Serious leg injury (fractures with lasting effects) | c. £30,000–£90,000 |
| Severe back injury | c. £36,000–£160,000+ |
| Moderate brain injury | c. £40,000–£205,000 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Pedestrian Accident Claims
We act on a Conditional Fee Agreement. If the claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. We explain all terms in plain English before you proceed.