Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic
How pedestrian accident claims are valued
Your compensation is the value of the injuries you actually suffered, plus your financial losses — there is no flat pedestrian-accident figure. Because a pedestrian has no protection, these claims often involve serious injuries: leg and pelvic fractures (the bumper-level impact), head injuries from striking the road or windscreen, and spinal injuries. The calculator above lets you select your main injury and severity and applies the relevant Judicial College bracket (UK) or settlement range (US).
Common pedestrian injuries
- Leg, knee and hip/pelvis fractures — very common because the vehicle bumper strikes at that height.
- Head and brain injuries — from being thrown onto the bonnet, windscreen or road.
- Spinal injuries — among the most serious outcomes.
- Fractures, scarring and soft-tissue injuries — arms, ribs and lacerations from the fall.
Liability and crossing the road
Most pedestrian claims turn on the driver's negligence — driving too fast, not looking, or failing to stop at a crossing. A driver owes a high duty of care to pedestrians, especially children and older people. However, where a pedestrian stepped out without looking, crossed against a signal, or was affected by alcohol, the court may find contributory negligence and reduce the award. Even so, drivers are frequently held mostly or wholly liable because of the vehicle's potential to cause harm. If the driver was untraced or uninsured, a claim can still be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
Special damages for pedestrian accidents
On top of the injury figure you can usually recover special damages — lost earnings, medical treatment and rehabilitation, care during recovery, damaged belongings, travel, and future losses for serious injuries. Enter your losses in the calculator and they are added on top.
Pedestrian accident claims in practice
Serious pedestrian claims are handled by specialist solicitors, usually on a no-win-no-fee basis. The three-year time limit applies (with special rules for children). This page gives an estimate only and is not legal advice.
Pedestrian accident compensation calculator — frequently asked questions
How much compensation will I get for a pedestrian accident in the UK?
It depends on your injuries. Minor injuries may be worth a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, while serious injuries common when a pedestrian is hit — head, spinal or pelvic injuries, multiple fractures or amputation — can be worth tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds under the Judicial College Guidelines, plus special damages for lost earnings and care.
Can I claim if the pedestrian accident was partly my fault?
Usually yes, but your compensation may be reduced for contributory negligence — for example if you stepped out without looking or crossed against a signal. Drivers are frequently held mostly liable because of the harm a vehicle can cause, so a reduction does not stop you claiming; it only lowers the award by your share of blame.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or did not stop?
You can still claim. Where the driver was uninsured or untraced (a hit-and-run), a claim can be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which exists to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. The injury is valued in the same way as any other pedestrian claim.
How much is a pedestrian accident settlement in the US?
US pedestrian-accident settlements range from about $15,000 for minor injuries to several million dollars for catastrophic head, spinal or multiple-fracture injuries. The figure depends on your state, the strength of evidence, the at-fault driver's insurance and your lost earnings and future care.
Is this pedestrian accident calculator accurate?
It gives a realistic guide based on Judicial College bracket figures and typical US settlement ranges, but it is not a guarantee. The total depends on the injuries you select, their severity, any reduction for shared fault and your proven losses. Always confirm with a qualified solicitor or attorney.