In most cases, you’ll have three years from the date of an accident happening to start your pedestrian accident claim.
This limit is set by the Limitation Act 1980, and applies whether you were injured by a car, van, motorcycle or any other vehicle.
If you don’t initiate a claim inside this window, it’s likely you won’t be able to pursue compensation through the courts.
Have you been involved in a pedestrian accident? Call us.
Did you know? Pedestrian accident facts
In 2023, pedestrians made up 15% of all road traffic casualties in the UK, with an estimated 19,156 people injured and 407 fatalities – a 6% increase on the previous year.
By the end of 2024, that number had risen again to around 413 pedestrian deaths, marking the highest total since before the pandemic.
Pedestrian accidents in the UK
Despite increased road safety measures, pedestrian accidents are once again on the rise.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
Below, we’ll identify the steps you should take to protect your right to compensation.
How does the time limit apply to different types of injuries?
No matter the type of injuries you’ve sustained, whether minor or more severe, the three-year time limit still applies.
We recommend starting the process for a claim as soon as possible after an accident, so that evidence can be collected while the sequence of events remains fresh in the memory.
What you should do to begin a claim in time
The steps to starting a claim within the required timeframe are relatively simple.
Step One: Seek medical attention
Immediately after an accident, you should visit A&E or arrange an appointment with your GP. Even minor injuries should be documented in your medical records.
Step Two: Tell the police
You should report the incident to the police and, if possible, gather witness details to start your claim.
Step Three: Speak to a legal expert
Contact the experienced pedestrian accident claim team at Wafer Phillips. The sooner you receive expert advice, the more likely it is you’ll present a strong case.
Are there circumstances in which the deadline can be extended?
Yes, there are a handful of exceptions where the three-year time limit may be extended.
They are:
When children are involved
If a child (a person under the age of 18) is injured at the time of the accident, the three-year time limit doesn’t start until the day of their 18th birthday. They then have until their 21st birthday to start a claim. Parents or guardians can claim on behalf of their child at any time before then.
When the injured party isn’t able to act
If the person who was injured in an accident lacks the mental capacity to start a claim themselves, there’s no time limit unless or until they regain capacity.
When the claimant is unaware
There are rare cases when individuals injured in a pedestrian accident may only become aware of an injury, and its connection to the accident, at a later date. In this instance, the three-year window in which to initiate a claim starts from the date they became aware (usually requiring evidence in the form of medical documents and/or testimony).
Start your pedestrian accident claim today
At Wafer Phillips, we specialise in helping victims of road traffic accidents to claim the compensation that they’re entitled to.
Start by visiting our pedestrian accident claims page for further background, then start a claim using our no-win, no-fee service, by dialling 0151 256 7898 or email us at enquiries@waferphillips.co.uk
