Car and taxi passenger accident compensation claims

How common are taxi and minicab accidents?

According to official data available on the government website, which details figures of all road accidents in the UK, 2,811 of the 186,443 total accidents in 2021 involved a taxi, minicab or car being used for private hire. 

This figure was an increase over the 2020 rate (2,612), but considerably less than the figure for 2019, when there were 4,696 accidents involving taxis. 

While taxi accidents make up a small amount of the total road accidents in the UK, they are still a common cause for public transport accident claims.

What should I do if I am involved in a car, taxi or minicab accident as a passenger?

As is the case for any accident you may be involved in, the first and most important thing to do is to check for any injuries you may have suffered and then ensure you get any medical attention and care you require as soon as possible. 

If and when the emergency services arrive, try to alert the responders to let them know of the circumstances surrounding the accident, and of your injuries. Be only if it is safe for you to do so. 

Beyond the time of the accident itself, and the moments after, as you look ahead and begin your recovery you may wish to consider making a compensation claim for your accident. With this in mind, it is important to remember to retain any evidence from your accident and all details of the incident, as these will help with the investigations required to make a claim. 

When you decide you're ready to make a claim, it's time to call National Accident Helpline. Our experts are waiting to help you get the compensation you deserve and help you on your journey to recovery. You can give us a call on , request a call back or use our claim online tool to see if you can start your claim online.

What type of injuries can I claim for?

In short, you can make a passenger compensation claim for any type of injury be that caused in a car, taxi or other mode of transport. If your claim is successful, the damages awarded compensate you for pain and suffering, the impact on your life and any financial losses you've experienced as a direct result.

Sudden impact injuries like whiplash are common in road traffic accidents, for drivers and passengers alike. They can range from mild where symptoms may last a few weeks to chronic injury that can last months or become semi-permanent.

Who pays passenger compensation?

Passenger accident injuries caused by another person

If your passenger injury was caused by someone else in control of any kind of vehicle, passenger compensation in a successful claim will be paid by their insurance company. This means the person responsible won't be left with a big bill they can't afford.

Passenger accident injuries involving uninsured drivers

If your passenger injury was caused by an uninsured driver, you may still be able to make a compensation claim. All successful injury claims made against an uninsured driver are paid by the Motor Insurer's Bureau (MIB).

According to the MIB's study in 2019, over 26,000 people are injured and around 130 people are killed in traffic accidents with uninsured drivers each year. That's roughly 16% of all annual road casualties in the UK so it's a very real problem. 

The MIB was set up to compensate drivers involved in a range of challenging accidents. All UK motor insurance companies have to pay into the MIB fund each year. This enables people hurt by an uninsured or untraceable driver to make a passenger compensation claim.

Passenger compensation claims after a hit and run accident

It's upsetting when someone refuses to face up to the consequences of an accident that was their fault. Even more so if you or your passengers were injured as a result.

The other driver may have left the scene without stopping and you weren't able to get their number plate. The driver may not have had a driving licence or the vehicle may even have been stolen. The MIB will pay your compensation in these circumstances if your passenger compensation claim is successful.

Find out more about who pays your road accident and passenger compensation.

Accident injury caused by poor road conditions

If your passenger accident was the result of poor road conditions such as potholes or cracks in the road, then your claim will be made against the person or organisation responsible for the road's maintenance. This is likely to be the local council or the relevant UK highways agency.

It's a requirement for roads to be properly maintained so that they are kept safe for road users. So if you've been injured as a passenger in a road accident caused by poor road conditions, then it's not your fault and you may be entitled to compensation for your injury.

It's important to remember that making a claim will draw attention to the fact that the road is badly maintained. This may prevent others from experiencing what you've gone through.

Can I make a no win no fee passenger accident claim?

All of our solicitors can work on a no win no fee basis. Your solicitor may need to take out a special legal protection insurance policy for you. It pays the costs if your claim were to fail and ensures claiming is risk free. Simply put, this means that if your claim is unsuccessful then you don't pay a penny. 

You've already had to deal with enough stress and unwanted surprises. Making a no win no fee claim with us takes the risk out of claiming so that you won't be left out of pocket.  

If you win the claim, you'll be asked to pay any costs and expenses, not paid for by the other side, from your compensation. We guarantee you'll never pay more 35% of your damages. There are some rare cases where it may not be possible for you to make a no win no fee claim. If this applies to you, then your solicitor will let you know before you start your claim and will talk through the other options with you.

What's typically covered in a passenger compensation claim?

We understand that injury can alter your life. We don't believe you should be left to foot the bill, especially if your condition was caused by someone else's negligence. For this reason, we fully consider the impacts your injury has had on you and your family. 

The circumstances of each passenger compensation claim are unique. How much you could be awarded if your claim succeeds depends on injury type, severity, recovery time and the financial effect on your life. This means road traffic accident and passenger compensation amounts often differ.

Our no win no fee solicitors will look to recover compensation for any negative impact your injuries have had on you. These include:

• Time off work and loss of earnings.
• Future loss of income and effects on your job prospects.
• Any changes to your ability to work.
• Care or support you've received, even if given freely by family or friends.
• Changes you may have needed to your home or vehicle as a direct result.
• Any travel costs you've incurred, for instance attending treatment.
• The cost of any specialist treatment prescribed to you that's not available on the NHS.

We're proud to say that we treat each case on an individual basis. This means when you contact us you'll always speak to somebody who listens carefully and offers tailored advice.

It also means that the amount of compensation you're owed depends on your particular situation. Unfortunately, for this reason we're unable to let you know how much compensation you could receive when you do call us.

It's hard to say how much your passenger compensation claim may be worth before your solicitor has investigated it. However, you'll get a clear idea when your solicitor begins negotiating with the other side's insurance company. 

We have more than 29 years' road traffic and passenger compensation experience so why not try our compensation calculator? It'll give you an estimate about what to expect in a successful claim for your type of injury.

What might my no win no fee passenger compensation claim be worth?

It's difficult to say how much money a passenger in a car accident can get before your solicitor has begun negotiating with the other side. Passenger compensation claims vary in severity, complexity and the impact they can have on your life.

To get an idea of how much you can get for your passenger accident claim, our compensation calculator can estimate the amount you could receive. Your solicitor will give you a clear idea of what your passenger compensation claim may be worth after they've assessed the circumstances.

What are early passenger compensation payments?

Early compensation payments are also called interim or immediate needs payments. They're issued to people who need early financial help before their compensation claim is actually settled.

This could be for several reasons - typically it's when their accident injuries are so severe that they leave people in financial distress. 

Early payments could cover the cost of homing your family near where you're having treatment. They might also cover rent, mortgage or other bills because you're on statutory sick pay or reduced income.

If you're unable to cover the financial aftermath of your injury, your solicitor will work to secure these payments for you. They'll do this while also negotiating your final passenger compensation settlement.

For more information, call us free on . You can also check if you have a potential claim online or simply book a call back with us and we'll be in touch at a time to suit you.

The law on seatbelts - Can I claim if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt?

It's extremely important for your own safety that you wear a seatbelt when travelling in a car.

The law states that every passenger over the age of 14 must wear an adult seatbelt if it is available and that children under the age of 14 must either wear a child restraint or a normal seatbelt.

We advise that you always wear a seatbelt to reduce the chances of injury. If you've been injured as a passenger in a road accident and you weren't wearing one, then you may still be able to make a compensation claim, but it's likely that you will receive less.

Can I make a claim as a rail passenger, airline passenger or passenger on other types of public transport?

You may have been injured while travelling on public transport, for example, as a passenger on a bus, train or in a taxi.

Public transport drivers, including those driving for app-based taxi firms like Uber, have a duty of care to you and an obligation to drive safely and responsibly. If they've failed to do this and you have been injured as a result, then you may be able to make a compensation claim.

Below are some common causes of public transport passenger injuries:

• The bus or taxi you were a passenger on collided with another vehicle.
• The bus driver pulled away while you were exiting the vehicle, causing you to fall.
• Careless driving caused you to bump your head on the seat in front of you, fall off your seat or fall over on a bus.
• The train you were a passenger on derailed or was involved in a collision.

There are many other causes of injuries on public transport, so if you'd like to find out whether we think you have a claim, you can contact us on .

Our advisors will talk with you about what happened and let you know straight away whether they think you're eligible. Your call with us is free, confidential and there's no obligation to claim if you're eligible.

Can I make a claim as Pillion passenger in a motorcycle accident?

We know how serious motorcycle accidents can be and how easily and quickly they can happen. If you've been injured as a pillion passenger on a motorcycle, you may be able to make a compensation claim to cover the pain and costs of your injury.

Alternatively, if you were driving and somebody else caused an accident to you and your loved one, we can help. Please visit our dedicated page on motorcycle accidents.

What are the time limits for road traffic accident claims?

To qualify for a road traffic accident compensation claim, you must have been injured within the last three years. The accident must also have been wholly or partially the fault of someone else.

• If you were 18 or over when the traffic accident happened, you have three years to make a personal injury claim from the accident date. 
• If you were under 18 at the time and no claim was made, you have three years from your 18th birthday until your 21st to make a claim.

There are circumstances where you may have longer. For example, if you or a loved one has suffered a serious head or brain trauma that impairs psychological function. 

If you've got questions about making a passenger compensation claim, contact us for free and impartial advice on . We'll listen to what you've been through and let you know if we think you could make a no win no fee claim.

We'll never rush or pressure you into making a claim. We're here to give you impartial passenger compensation advice so you can decide what to do next. If you're eligible and decide to go ahead, we'll put you through to one our specialist accident solicitors. Usually we can usually do this on the same call if that suits you.

How long might my passenger injury compensation claim take to settle?

Similar to how much compensation you may receive, the amount of time your accident claim could take will depend on your accident and the circumstances around it, as well as the complexity of the investigation into your case. 

In rare cases, you may be lucky to settle your claim in around three months. But this is reliant on the other side admitting liability early, therefore reducing the amount of investigation required. 

It's likely however that you'll need to be prepared for it to take some time, especially if the other side denies, or disputes, liability. Negotiations can be a long process too. Generally, there are a lot of variables that could cause delay. 

When you speak with a National Accident Helpline solicitor, they will be able to give you some idea of how long they expect the claim to take, based on your claim, circumstances and their experience of taking care of similar claims previously.

How do I start my passenger accident claim?

There are two ways to start your claim with us. Either call us on  or fill in our simple online form to request a call back.

We understand that making a claim can seem stressful, which is why we aim to make the claims process as simple as possible.

Once you get in contact with us, you'll speak to one of our personal injury advisors. They'll ask you some questions about what happened to you and will then be able to let you know whether they think you've eligible to make a claim. If we think you do have grounds for a claim and you give us your permission to continue, then we'll select a specialist solicitor for you and put you in touch with them.

Your solicitor will discuss your claim with you and advise you on the next steps. Our solicitors will help you to make your claim on a no win no fee basis, and will keep you fully informed throughout the process.