Pedestrian accident compensation claims

Can you claim compensation for a hit and run accident?

In most instances, a hit and run accident involves one or more of the involved parties leaving the scene of the accident, therefore making it difficult to track them down to provide their own account of the events, as well as any evidence that may be required from them. 

This can be problematic when making a compensation claim, as most claims require there to be an ‘other side' to your case, for example an employer or organisation you're making an accident claim against.

Thankfully, with the help of our expert solicitors, you may still be able to make and pursue a hit and run accident claim if: 

• You were involved in a hit and run accident 
• The accident was the fault of an untraced driver
• You suffered injuries as a result of the accident

How do hit and run claims work?

If you've been involved in a hit and run which left you suffering from trauma and/or injury, and the party that caused the accident fled the incident, meaning you'd be unable to identify and make a claim against them, any claim you make would go through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) for general and special damages. 

The MIB helps victims of road traffic accidents in situations when the party at fault cannot be tracked down, or didn't have insurance. 

If you were to make a hit and run accident claim, the MIB would investigate your accident to see if a case is viable. If so, they would require as much evidence as possible to support your claim - this could be CCTV footage of your accident, photos and eyewitness accounts. They may also require your medical records, to support your personal injury claim. 

It is always worth bearing in mind that, the sooner you provide any requested information or evidence, the quicker and easier it will be for the MIB to investigate and progress your claim.

How much compensation can I claim for a pedestrian car accident?

The amount of pedestrian car accident compensation you receive is negotiated between your solicitor and the party who is responsible for your accident - in the case of a pedestrian car accident, this could be a driver of a car which hit you.

When your solicitor negotiates your compensation, they work to make sure the expenses and impacts of your accident are covered so you can start to get things back to how they were.

For example, if you've had to pay for everyday expenses such as travel, or have lost wages because of time off work, then you'll be compensated for this. The money you receive will also help to cover the impact on your social life and hobbies as well as the future effects of your injuries.

Because all accidents and their effects are different, it isn't possible to let you know exactly how much compensation you could receive until negotiations between your solicitor and the responsible party are underway.

But we do understand how important it is for you to have an idea of how much you could be able to claim. This is why we created our industry-leading compensation calculator, which can give you a guideline figure of how much your claim may be worth.

How could compensation help?

Suffering an injury or trauma from any type of accident that wasn't your fault can have a big impact on your life. 

While it cannot repair any damage done, hit and run accident compensation can help you overcome some of the suffering you've endured. For example, this could be by helping to cover any financial losses you may have incurred, as well as any additional costs, or by helping you receive the medical treatment you need. 

With hit and run accidents, the impact can be even greater, leaving you with a feeling of helplessness and injustice in addition to any physical or mental suffering. 

And even though it's likely that you won't be claiming against the party who caused your hit and run accident, as they may have fled the incident, a successful compensation claim can help assure you that you weren't at fault and provide some sense of justice.

Is there a time limit for making a pedestrian accident compensation claim?

Usually, in accordance with UK law, there is a three-year time limit - from when the accident occurred - in which you can make a compensation claim. 

If you're thinking of making a pedestrian accident claim, you must also bear in mind that the accident must have been wholly or at least partially the fault of someone else, and consider the following:

• If you were over 18 at the time of your accident , you have three years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury claim for compensation 
• If you were under 18 at the time of your accident, you have 3 years from your 18th birthday - until age 21 - to make a personal injury claim for compensation 

In some cases, such as situations when you or a loved one you're claiming on behalf of has impared psychological function from a serious head or brain injury, the time scale for a claim may be longer. 

With this all in mind, National Accident Helpline's team of experts are here, ready and waiting to help you make a claim, when you're ready to do so.

How long could my pedestrian accident claim take to settle?

When making a pedestrian accident claim, it is worth bearing in mind that your case may take some time to settle. The progress of your claim will be dependent on the details of your accident and injuries and any investigations required, as well as other variables such as the other side denying or disputing responsibility. 

In rare cases, some claims are settled in around three months. But this is unlikely, as this usually requires the other party admitting responsibility and liability early in the investigations.

While it is difficult to provide you with an accurate time frame for your claim, your National Accident Helpline solicitor will aim to give you some idea of time it may take to settle your claim, and of course update you throughout the process.

Will I need to go to court to contest my claim? 

As only around 5% of accident claims go to court, it is unlikely that you'll need to appear in court for your claim - great news if you're nervous about making a claim due the possibility of having to go to court. 

There is always a small chance of your case going to court, as not all claims are the same, but be assured that your solicitor will do all they can during their negotiations to avoid this. And, even if your case does go to court, you still may not be required to attend court yourself. 

Your solicitor will of course advise you of any court requirements and what you may need to do for them.

Can I make a no win no fee pedestrian injury claim?

If you were hurt in an accident that wasn't your fault, yes you can. We work on a no win no fee basis on the vast majority of claims we handle, meaning that if we lose your claim, you'll have nothing to pay to us or anyone else. 

A no win no fee arrangement is the contract between you and the personal injury lawyer we appoint for you.

• There are no upfront costs and no hidden charges
• If you don't win your claim, you pay nothing to anyone
• Your lawyer may need to arrange insurance for you to ensure claiming is risk free
• You'll never be left out of pocket - that's our guarantee

Your solicitor will talk to you about no win no fee, our fixed fee structure and what we can do for you if we think you can't claim on a no win no fee basis at the start of your claim, so you've all the information you need to make a decision.

Can I make a claim on behalf of a family member hit by a car?

You can, depending on the circumstances surrounding their accident and the injuries suffered from it, make a claim on behalf of a loved one. 

For example, if a loved one has suffered a brain or head trauma from an accident, or has a pre-existing medical condition meaning they can't - in the opinion of a medical professional - make their own decisions, you can claim on their behalf. You can also claim for your loved one or child if they were injured in an accident and under the age of 18. 

As is the case with any claim, it is important to have as much detail of your loved one's accident and injuries when you speak with one of our solicitors. This information will help us investigate your claim and explain how it will work.