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Delivering legal expertise since 1845

Accidents involving pedestrians claims

Accidents involving pedestrians are an alarmingly common occurrence on UK roads. In 2023 alone, 407 pedestrians were killed (a 6% increase from the previous year), with thousands more suffering a serious injury. If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation and support.


What is an accident involving a pedestrian?

A pedestrian accident typically involves a collision between a person on foot and a vehicle, such as a car, van, motorcycle, or even a bicycle. While drivers are often found at fault in these cases, especially when driving carelessly, pedestrians can also contribute to accidents. Common causes include crossing without looking properly, emerging suddenly from behind parked vehicles, or wearing dark clothing at night, which reduces visibility.

Nearly half of all pedestrian casualties in the UK occur due to a failure to look properly, either by the driver or the pedestrian. As a result, this can make pedestrian accident cases more complicated when proving negligence.

Why should you make an accident involving a pedestrian claim?

Here at Shoosmiths, we understand that being involved in a pedestrian accident can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on your life. Making a claim can help you secure the financial support and legal recognition you need to recover and rebuild.

Pedestrians often suffer the most severe injuries in road traffic accidents, including broken bones, spinal damage, brain injuries, and psychological trauma. These outcomes can lead to long-term medical treatment, loss of income, and reduced quality of life.

Our deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by injured pedestrians, combined with our legal expertise, means we’re well-placed to advocate for your recovery and your rights.

Do you have grounds for a pedestrian accident claim?

You may have grounds for a pedestrian accident claim if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence. To have a valid claim, you typically need to show that the other party breached their legal duty of care and that you suffered injury as a result of their negligence. However, if you were also partly at fault, for example, you crossed the road unsafely, your claim might be more complex. Even in cases where you were partly at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation. If you’re unsure as to whether you have a claim, then get in contact with our personal injury solicitors here at Shoosmiths.

Why choose Shoosmiths for your pedestrian accident claim?

At Shoosmiths, our dedicated personal injury team understands the serious impact pedestrian accidents can have on your health, finances, and day-to-day life. Not only are we with you at each stage of the claims process, but we’ll also stay by your side for years to come – even once your claim is settled and compensation awarded.

Our reputation is built on the success we achieve on behalf of our personal injury clients. We treat every individual with the care and respect they deserve while working tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation to support your recovery, including rehabilitation, medical expenses, and ongoing care.

But our expertise in personal injury claims is just one part of what we offer. 

We also:

  • Put you in touch with the right medical and rehabilitation services
  • Support your recovery and help improve your quality of life
  • Obtain interim payments to cover any costs before your claim even starts

To learn more about how our personal injury lawyers can help you, contact us now. Call 03700 868687 or send us a message for a no-obligation consultation.

About Shoosmiths

How to make an accident involving a pedestrian claim with Shoosmiths

The first step when making a pedestrian accident claim with Shoosmiths is to get in contact with our team, where we will assess and discuss with you whether your claim is likely to succeed. Your own dedicated personal injury lawyer will arrange meetings either over the phone or at a place that feels most comfortable to you. This is your experience, and we want to make you feel safe and comfortable the whole way through this process. We can also offer various funding options, including no-win, no-fee, depending on the circumstances of your claim. Finally, we will obtain medical records, witness statements, and expert evidence to support your claim, prove negligence, and calculate what compensation you might be entitled to.

Accident at work claims experts

Our skilled team of specialist lawyers want to speak to you today for free.

Chris  McKinney

Chris McKinney

Personal Injury

Chris McKinney

Chris will come to your home or hospital. He specialises in spinal injury and has won several multi-million pound claims for clients. Call Chris today.

Sharine Burgess

Sharine Burgess

Partner

Sharine Burgess

Sharine is an award-winning lawyer in the personal injury department, acting on behalf of claimants and their families through a wide range of cases, so give her a call.

What our clients say

Real stories from pedestrians

We’ve helped countless pedestrians rebuild their lives after a devastating road accident. Here is a powerful client story that shows how Shoosmiths has made a difference when it mattered the most.

Shoosmiths secures £250,000 settlement for pedestrian traffic accident

Accidents involving pedestrians FAQs

  • What are the different types of pedestrian road accidents?

    Pedestrian road accidents can occur in a variety of situations, often with serious consequences. Potential situations may include:

    Pedestrian accidents at junctions

    Junctions are high-risk areas where pedestrians often encounter vehicles turning without warning. Drivers may fail to check for people crossing, especially when turning left or right at speed, or when distracted. A driver may be found negligent for failing to give way, not checking mirrors, or ignoring traffic signals/pedestrian right-of-way.

    Pedestrian accidents involving bicycles

    Cyclists can pose a risk to pedestrians on shared pathways or pavements. Accidents can occur when cyclists travel too fast, ignore pedestrian zones, or weave unpredictably through crowded areas.

    Driving under the influence

    Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are far more likely to make poor decisions, react slowly, and misjudge distances, as a result, endangering pedestrians on the road. 

    Pedestrian crossing accidents

    These accidents occur when drivers fail to stop at zebra crossings, pelican crossings, or other marked pedestrian zones, despite having ample visibility or warning. Failing to stop at a crossing or ignoring traffic lights is a clear breach of the Highway Code and indicates driver negligence.

    Car park pedestrian accidents

    Low-speed zones like car parks still pose risks. Pedestrians are often struck by reversing vehicles or drivers speeding or not paying attention in tight, shared spaces.

    If you suspect negligence from the driver, please seek advice from one of our personal injury solicitors to explore the potential for a claim and to obtain advice on your options for seeking compensation and ensuring accountability.

  • How can a pedestrian accident affect you?

    Pedestrians often suffer the most severe injuries when involved in a road traffic collision. Common physical injuries include broken bones, spinal damage, and traumatic brain injuries. A pedestrian accident can also affect your everyday life:

    • You may be unable to work, leading to a loss of income.
    • Maintaining your social life may become difficult.
    • You might need help from family, friends, or professional carers.
    • Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and adjustments to your home or lifestyle can be a financial strain.

    To learn more about how our personal injury lawyers can help you, contact us now for a no-obligation consultation.

  • How long do I have to make a pedestrian accident claim?

    In the UK, you will typically have 3 years from the date of your accident to make a claim. However, there are exceptions to this, for example, a case involving a minor or individuals with diminished capacity. We would recommend getting in contact with a member of our team to check whether your claim has been filed within the appropriate time frame.

  • What could my pedestrian accident compensation cover?

    If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, your compensation could cover a wide range of costs to help you recover and move forward. This may include rehabilitation, medical expenses, specialist equipment, and home adaptations. You may also be able to claim for loss of earnings, travel to appointments, and the overall impact on your quality of life.

  • How much does it cost to make a claim with Shoosmiths?

    Here at Shoosmiths, we undertake claims on a no win no-win-no-fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay any legal fees unless we successfully win your case. However, our initial consultation is free, and we will explain all the potential costs upfront with you beforehand.

Call us now

Call us free and speak with a member of our client relationship team who will be happy to help.

0370 086 8687

Lines are open from 8:30am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday, and 10am to 4pm Sunday.

Message us

If you would prefer to write to us, you can send us a message by clicking below and we will get back to you Send us a message or

Arrange callback

Leave your name and number below for us to call you back.


 
Select

Thank You

Thank you for contacting Shoosmiths Serious Injury. Your enquiry is important to us. A dedicated member from our client relationship team will be in touch with you shortly.

Who we work with

  • Brain Injury Group
  • CESS
  • ABIF

Our accreditations

  • Accredited Personal Injury
  • Apil
  • Avma