Pedestrians on the road are extremely vulnerable road users, and being hit by a car, or any other vehicle, even at a low speed, can lead to serious injuries. Pedestrians have no protection on the road; therefore, their injuries can be very severe and potentially life-threatening.

Pedestrian accidents can have severe consequences, including disabling injuries, loss of earnings and even the inability to look after yourself or others. Sometimes, pedestrian injuries happen because of a driver’s mistake or because of negligence from others.

If you have been injured as a pedestrian, it is likely that you have many questions regarding whether you are eligible to make a road traffic accident claim, and how to make a pedestrian accident claim.

 

Pedestrian hit by car claim: Common causes

 

In a large proportion of cases, pedestrians are injured by careless motorists. Pedestrians accidents are commonly caused by negligent drivers when pedestrians are crossing the road. The main causes of these types of accidents include:

· Drivers not paying enough attention to the road

· Drivers being distracted by mobile phones or the radio

· Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs

· Drivers travelling whilst tired

· Drivers being distracted by other passengers in the car

· Harsh weather conditions

· A fault with the vehicle, for example, faulty brakes

· Hit and run accidents

 

Whatever the reason for your accident, if you were injured on the road by a negligent driver, you should have grounds to make a pedestrian accident compensation claim.

 

Injuries caused by pedestrian accidents

 

Pedestrian accidents can cause a wide range of injuries to victims. Some of the most common types of injuries are listed below:

Spinal and spinal cord injuries – Spinal injuries can be very severe as they can cause life-changing injuries, including loss of mobility or paralysis.

Broken bones – Broken legs, arms, shoulders and even hips can occur following a pedestrian being hit by a car. An accident can put a large amount of force on your body that bones cannot withstand, resulting in painful bone breaks.

Head injuries – Trauma to the head can be severe and can result in concussion or even long-lasting brain damage depending on the force of the accident.

Sprains – These are some of the most common types of injuries that occur in pedestrian accidents and can be minor, but they can still cause pain.

Internal bleeding – Internal bleeding can occur after a pedestrian accident and can have serious implications. It can be fatal if it is not treated immediately after the incident.

Cuts and scrapes – You may endure cuts and scrapes as a result of your accident. These may be caused by the impact of the accident or from debris such as broken glass. The seriousness of these cuts can vary depending on where on your body they are located.

 

As well as these physical injuries, there are also psychological injuries that individuals can suffer from after a pedestrian accident which can be just as debilitating. An example of this type of injury is depression that can be brought on as a result of the incident or frustration if individuals can no longer do something that they enjoy.

If you are suffering from one of these injuries or any other injury caused by a pedestrian accident, contact us to determine whether you could make a personal injury claim. We can also assist if you are claiming on behalf of a child or someone that lacks the mental capacity required to make a claim.

 

Pedestrian hit by car claim: what should I do after an accident?

 

After being hit by a car, it is important that you visit your general practitioner or A&E depending on the extent of your injuries. You should also receive a copy of the medical report describing any injuries that you have sustained, as this may be required as evidence in the accident claim further down the line.

If there is any damage to your property, such as your mobile phone, or if you have suffered an injury, you must report the matter to the police within 24 hours of the accident. You should also ask the driver of the car for details of their insurers and make note of the car registration and a description of the car.

Some motor insurance companies may try to contact you with an early settlement offering a low sum; however, you should not accept until you have received legal advice.

You may also be required to provide further evidence to prove pay entitlements following an accident. Below are just a few pieces of evidence that you could be asked to provide:

 

· Witness statements alongside contact details of witnesses to the accident

· CCTV/ dash cam footage of the accident (if available)

· Proof that the accident and the injuries you sustained were officially recorded

· Photos of the scene of the accident and/or photos of the injuries that you sustained

· Photographs of the damage to your personal belongings

 

After you have suffered an accident on the road, it is in your best interest to talk to a Solicitor as soon as possible as they can discuss your entitlements with you and advise you on your options going forward. Personal injury Solicitors from law firms can also provide clarity on whether you have been wrongly injured as they are legal experts and specialise in pedestrian hit by car claims.

 

How much compensation will I receive in a pedestrian hit by car claim?

 

In simple terms, pedestrians can make a claim for compensation when they have had an accident that was not their fault. Motorists are legally obliged to have sufficient motor insurance in place to cover the costs of any accidents caused by their negligence.

This insurance usually covers both for injury and the costs associated with said injury, as well as the damage done to property..

A variety of losses can be recovered following an accident on the road that was not your fault. Below are just a few examples of the different types of compensation that can be recovered:

Loss of income – If you were required to take time off work due to your injuries, you should be able to recover your loss of earnings for the full period of time you were unable to work.

Pain and suffering – The law considers the fact that there is a certain amount of trauma and pain that can be associated with car accidents. Therefore, it has made a provision for injured parties to obtain compensation for the same.

Loss of amenity – You may be able to claim an amount of compensation for your loss of amenity. This refers to instances when your injuries have prevented you from participating in activities that you had previously taken part in and enjoyed.

A loss of enjoyment can directly affect your life and can lead to long term effects such as mental health issues like frustration and depression. There is a provision in the law that covers any loss of amenity resulting from a car accident.

Other financial losses – Other financial losses which were directly caused by the accident, such as medical costs and travelling expenses, can also be recovered as part of a personal injury claim.

 

How can Wildwood Legal assist?

 

As with all types of accidents on the road, the consequences of being hit by a car can be devastating. If you have an accident whilst crossing the road, you need specialist advice – that is where we come in.

Our law firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority; therefore, we provide everything that is needed to meet their high standards meaning that we are a trusted law firm. We offer services to individuals located in England and Wales.

If you’ve had an accident and would like to discuss the claims process for obtaining injury compensation, get in touch with us, and we can help you start your claim– we’re only a phone call away. To make an enquiry, get in contact with us either email us info@winstonsolicitors.co.uk or call us 0113 320 5000.

Visit our other pages for more information on road traffic accidents such as car accidents and cycling accidents.