We advise injured pedestrians and, where the accident was fatal or catastrophic, their families. We will explain how contributory negligence tends to be argued in these cases and set out the funding options, including whether a no win no fee arrangement may be appropriate.
Can I Make a Claim?
- You were on foot when struck by a car, van, bus, cycle, e-scooter or other vehicle.
- The driver failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast for the conditions, or failed to give way where required.
- Claims can be brought even where you were crossing away from a designated crossing, although damages may be reduced.
- Where the vehicle was untraced or uninsured, an application to the Motor Insurers' Bureau may be possible.
Situations We Are Instructed On
- Collisions at zebra, pelican and puffin crossings
- Vehicles reversing in car parks, driveways and loading bays
- Buses and coaches pulling away before a passenger has fully alighted
- Children struck near schools or on residential roads
- Collisions involving e-scooters, delivery cycles and mobility vehicles
- Hit-and-run incidents where the driver has not been identified
What Compensation Could I Claim?
- Damages for the injury, including head injuries, fractures and psychological effects
- Loss of earnings and, where relevant, loss of future earning capacity
- Care and assistance, including help with washing, dressing, shopping and childcare
- Adaptations, aids and equipment where mobility is affected
- Damaged clothing, glasses, hearing aids and personal items
What can be recovered in any individual case depends on the medical evidence and on the losses that can be proved. We do not estimate figures before that evidence is available.
Evidence That Helps
- CCTV from nearby premises, buses or local authority cameras — this must be requested quickly
- The police incident number and any witness statements taken at the scene
- Photographs showing the crossing, sightlines, street lighting and any obstructions
- Ambulance and hospital records confirming the mechanism of injury
- A diary of symptoms, appointments and days absent from work
How Long Could the Claim Take?
Pedestrian claims with a clear liability picture and a modest injury may settle within several months. Head injuries, fractures needing surgery, or a dispute about whether you stepped into the road will lengthen the case, sometimes substantially. Interim payments can occasionally be sought where liability is admitted and needs are pressing.
No Win No Fee Funding for This Type of Claim
A No Win No Fee agreement — known in law as a conditional fee agreement — is a written contract between you and your solicitor. Under it, our fee for the legal work becomes payable only if your claim is successful. It is a way of funding a claim without paying our costs up front. It is not a promise about the outcome of your case, and it is not available in every matter.
How a No Win No Fee agreement works
- Assessment first. We review the facts, the likely evidence and your prospects before deciding whether we can offer this type of funding.
- If the claim succeeds. The opponent is usually ordered or agrees to pay a substantial part of your legal costs. A success fee — a percentage uplift on our charges, capped by law in personal injury work — is deducted from your compensation. The percentage will be stated in your agreement before you sign it.
- If the claim does not succeed. You would not pay our fee for the legal work covered by the agreement. You may still be responsible for certain disbursements and, in some circumstances, the opponent’s costs, which is why insurance arrangements are discussed with you at the outset.
- Deductions and other costs. Expenses such as medical reports, court fees, expert evidence and any insurance premium are dealt with separately. We will explain which of these may be deducted from your damages and how they are calculated.
- Alternatives. You may already have legal expenses cover through a household, motor or credit card policy, or through a trade union. We will ask about this because it may be a better option for you.
Who may be eligible
Eligibility depends on the individual case, including whether another party appears to be legally responsible, whether the injury and losses can be evidenced, and whether the claim is brought in time. Some claims are not suitable for this form of funding. We will tell you honestly if we cannot act on this basis, and explain the alternatives that may be open to you.
The exact terms — including the success fee percentage, the disbursements involved and what would happen if the claim were unsuccessful — are set out in writing and explained to you before you decide whether to proceed. Nothing on this page is a guarantee about the outcome of a claim or a statement that any particular funding arrangement will be available. Please take advice about your own circumstances.
Speaking to a No Win No Fee Solicitor
The first conversation is an assessment, not a commitment. A solicitor will listen to what happened, identify who may be legally responsible and consider what evidence is likely to be available. In the context of pedestrian accident claims, that usually means looking closely at how the incident occurred, what records exist and how your injury has affected your work and daily life.
Once we understand the case, we can discuss funding. Where a conditional fee arrangement is appropriate, we will explain the terms, the deductions and the risks in writing so that you can make an informed decision. Where it is not appropriate, we will say so and set out any alternative route available to you, including existing insurance cover or union support. Either way, you will know where you stand before any work begins.
Pedestrian Accident Claims FAQs
- I crossed away from a crossing. Can I still claim?
- Frequently, yes. Drivers must anticipate pedestrians. Damages may be reduced to reflect a share of responsibility, but that is different from having no claim at all.
- My child was injured. Who brings the claim?
- A parent or guardian acts as litigation friend. Settlements for children require court approval and the damages are usually held until the child turns eighteen.
- The driver did not stop. What can I do?
- Report it to the police as soon as possible. If the driver cannot be traced, the Motor Insurers' Bureau untraced drivers' agreement may provide a route to compensation, subject to its conditions.
- Does it matter that I was using my phone?
- It may be raised as contributory negligence. It does not automatically defeat a claim, and we will assess how much weight the argument realistically carries.
Speak to our team
Tell us what happened and we will assess the claim and explain the funding options that may be available to you, in writing, before you decide how to proceed.