Compensation for Pedestrians Hit by Cars, Bikes, Vans or Buses
Our firm has particular expertise in claiming compensation for injured pedestrians. We have successfully represented hundreds of clients in these specialist claims.
Department for Transport figures record over 25,000 accidents involving pedestrians every year in the UK, with around one in five of these resulting in serious injuries. For obvious reasons, pedestrians are always likely to come off worse if they are hit by a car, bus, van, lorry or motorcycle, and even if the vehicle involved is travelling below 30mph the injuries caused by a collision can be disastrous and potentially fatal. Children and the elderly make up a large proportion of the victims of collisions between pedestrians and vehicles, and unfortunately usually sustain more severe injuries than normal adults due to their relative physical frailty. Children in particular are also likely to be seriously psychologically affected by accidents of this kind.
What Causes Collisions Between Vehicles and Pedestrians?
Motorists are expected to exercise a reasonable standard of care and attention while driving, and will be held legally liable under the law of negligence if they fail to drive safely and by doing so cause an accident. Motorists are commonly found to be at fault for accidents when they are driving too fast and breaking the speed limit, or when they fail to observe road signs and signals, such as running through a red light or flashing zebra crossing. Drivers may also not pay proper attention to the road if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if they are simply distracted, for example, if they are talking on a mobile phone, eating, listening to music, or chatting to a passenger. There is also the possibility that their vehicle suffers from a maintenance flaw such as faulty brakes, or that the road itself is in a poor condition (the appropriate local authority can be held responsible for an accident in this instance).
What Happens if a Pedestrian is Partially Responsible for an Accident?
It is important to note that pedestrians are often to some extent at fault when a vehicle collides with them, but this will not prevent a compensation claim against the motorist under the legal principle of split liability. A pedestrian may step out into the road without properly checking whether vehicles are in close proximity, or may attempt to cross a road just as traffic lights have changed from red to green. Under UK law pedestrians, like motorists, are expected to pay due care and attention to road conditions, and can be held partially or even wholly responsible for an accident if they fail to do so. Both motorists and pedestrians therefore owe obligations to one another regarding their safety, and in cases where liability for an accident is split it will be up to the injured pedestrian’s solicitor to minimise the extent of their client’s liability.
Read our guide: Ride Responsibly and Share the Road: Tips for Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians
Solicitors With Experience and Expertise in Pedestrian Injury Claims
Bartletts Solicitors has successfully claimed compensation for numerous pedestrians injured due to reckless and negligent driving. In the event that a driver is uninsured or cannot be traced following an accident, compensation can still be obtained from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), a body funded by motor insurance companies to deal with such scenarios. Our experience in pedestrian injury claims means that you will receive a legal service that you can rely on, and a solicitor who will be able to negotiate the best possible compensation settlement on your behalf.
Make a free compensation enquiry today
For specialist advice on your personal injury claim, call us now on Liverpool 0151 227 3391 or Chester 01244 645830 or Wrexham 01978 360056 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.