If you were hurt in a road traffic accident when you were a passenger, you could be able to claim compensation.
Car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are all able to make claims for compensation after suffering an injury in an accident that wasn’t their fault.
But it’s not just those road users who get hurt in accidents. As a passenger, you are powerless to stop a road traffic accident happening. That’s why you can make a claim for compensation when you’re hurt in one – whether you were in a friend’s car or on a bus.
Drivers owe a duty of care to their passengers – whether they are driving professionally for work or not. They have an obligation to drive carefully in order to keep their passengers and other road users safe.
As a passenger, you could make a claim against the driver of the car you were travelling in or another vehicle that caused your accident. This extends to other forms of transport too, including aeroplanes, boats, taxis and motorcycles.
The laws around road traffic accident claims have changed. You will now be expected to make a claim yourself using an online portal. But First4Lawyers is still here to help. We can still make the process more straightforward for you.
As a passenger, you are not at fault for the accident you were involved in. This means that if you are hurt in an accident, you will be able to make a claim against the person who was responsible.
This could be a driver of a separate vehicle or it could be the person driving the car you were a passenger in – even if you know the person. You are able to make a claim against a friend or family member if their negligence caused you to suffer an injury.
We know you might feel very uncomfortable about this. But when making a road traffic accident claim, it’s important to remember that you won’t be claiming directly against the driver responsible. Your claim will be made to their insurer, which means there will be no immediate financial impact on the person.
It’s also important to note that if you’re hit by an uninsured driver, you could still be able to make a claim. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau is responsible for handling claims against uninsured drivers or those who did not stop at the scene of the accident. So it’s also possible to claim for an injury sustained in a hit and run accident.
There are a huge number of injuries you might suffer in a road accident, from the relatively minor to the life-changing and even life-threatening.
As a passenger, you might suffer multiple injuries, including:
If you aren’t sure whether your injury means you can make a compensation claim, just get in touch and our friendly and understanding claims advisors will talk you through your situation.
Your injury is unique to you and the accident you were involved in. This means that it’s difficult to say exactly what you might be entitled to without an initial conversation with our team.
Any compensation you are awarded will depend on the accident you were in, what injury you suffered, how it affects your life and what impact it is expected to have on you in the long term.
Personal injury compensation is typically split into two parts: general damages and special damages. General damages will cover the pain and suffering caused by the accident – both physically and mentally.
Special damages refer to compensation for any financial impact the injury has had on you. This includes a loss of earnings if you can’t work, medical treatment and any damage to your personal property sustained in the accident. Your solicitor will likely encourage you to keep a record of what you’ve spent as a direct result of the accident.
For a rough idea of what you might be entitled to, you can try our compensation calculator or just request a call back at the top of your screen to speak to us.
In cases of whiplash, you will receive a set amount, depending on how long you suffer with symptoms. This could be £240 for a three-month injury or £4,215 for a two-year injury.
Most people have three years from the date of their accident to make a passenger accident compensation claim. But there are some exceptions.
Children involved in road accidents will be able to claim at any point up to their 21st birthday. And if you’re claiming on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to claim for themselves, there is no limit.
Although it sounds like you have plenty of time to start your claim, it’s always a good idea to begin as soon as possible.
The sooner you start your claim, the clearer the details of what happened will be in your mind. This will also be true for any witnesses to your accident, as well as any medical professionals who treated you after it happened.
You might also find it easier to access certain pieces of evidence if you start your claim as soon as you can. This includes CCTV footage, if there were cameras in the vicinity of your accident. You can request a copy of the camera’s recordings at the time of your accident – and the sooner you request it, the sooner you’ll receive it.
If you’re not sure whether you have a claim after being hurt as a passenger in an accident, First4Lawyers can help to clarify things. We can let you know if you have a claim and match you to an expert personal injury solicitor.
To speak to us today, just give us a call, request a call back at a more convenient time or start your claim online. We’re here to help.
We've helped thousands of people claim compensation for injuries that weren't their fault. Just some of them include:
Simply fill in our form below and we’ll call you back at a time to suit you.
Whether you want to make an accident and injury claim, or need a solicitor for personal or business law matters - our friendly team are here to help, 24/7.
Our fully trained legal advisors are happy to offer initial guidance and advice for free
No Win No Fee solicitors - you don't pay a penny up front when making a claim
We offer advice with no obligation. We never cold-call or apply pressure to our customers