Being hit by a car can turn a normal day into months of pain, stress, and lost income. However, if you were a vulnerable road user—such as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or horse rider—you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries and financial losses. The Highway Code recognises these groups as being most at risk on the road.
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To make a claim, get medical help, report the collision, gather evidence fast, and keep records of your injuries and costs. Then, start your compensation claim within the legal time limit—usually 3 years.
Who counts as a “vulnerable road user” in the UK?
Under the Highway Code, road users most at risk include pedestrians (especially children, older people, and disabled people), cyclists, horse riders, and motorcyclists. It also explains a “hierarchy of road users”, meaning those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce danger.
Step-by-step: what to do after you’ve been hit by a car
1) Get to safety and get medical help
First, move to a safer spot if you can. Then, seek medical attention even if you “feel okay”. Symptoms—especially head injuries—can appear later. The NHS warns that concussion symptoms may not show straight away.
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have red-flag symptoms such as worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, seizures, or weakness.
2) Call the police if there are injuries or a dispute
If anyone is injured, the driver should stop and exchange details. If they don’t, or if details aren’t exchanged, report it as soon as possible. For non-emergencies, you can report to police on 101 or online (and 999 in emergencies).
3) Collect the right details at the scene
If you’re able, get:
- Driver’s name, address, phone number
- Vehicle registration
- Insurer details (if offered)
- Photos/videos of: vehicle position, number plates, road layout, signage, and injuries
- Names and numbers of independent witnesses
- Nearby CCTV locations (shops, buses, homes)
Even if you feel shaken, try to note the time, location, weather, and what happened.
4) Keep a paper trail (this wins claims)
From day one, keep:
- GP/A&E notes, prescriptions, physio referrals
- A symptom diary (pain, sleep, mobility, anxiety)
- Receipts for travel, medication, mobility aids
- Proof of lost earnings (payslips, employer letters)
- Care and support notes (who helped you, for how long)
Because your compensation is based on injury + impact + financial loss, these records can materially increase the value of your claim.
Can you claim if you were partly at fault?
Often, yes. Many cases involve arguments about visibility, speed, road layout, junction priority, or signalling. Even if you think you “should have seen the car”, you may still have a valid claim. In some cases, compensation can be reduced if you share responsibility, but you don’t automatically lose your right to claim.
What can you claim for after a pedestrian/cyclist/motorcyclist accident?
A strong claim usually includes two parts:
A. General damages (pain and suffering)
This covers the injury itself and how it affects your day-to-day life.
B. Special damages (your financial losses)
This can include:
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Taxi fares, parking, travel to treatment
- Medical costs, prescriptions, therapy
- Care and assistance from family (even unpaid care can be valued)
- Damage to personal property (phone, helmet, bike, clothing)
- Rehabilitation and adaptations (where needed)
Because vulnerable road users are exposed, injuries can be serious. In Great Britain in 2024 alone, 409 pedestrians were killed and thousands more were seriously injured (reported figures).
Compensation estimates (Judicial College Guidelines)
Solicitors often use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) as a benchmark for valuing injuries.
Figures vary based on severity, recovery time, and long-term impact.
| Injury type (examples) | JCG compensation bracket (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Minor neck/soft tissue injuries (short recovery) | Up to £2,450 |
| Wrist/hand fractures (less severe) | Thousands to tens of thousands, depending on function and recovery |
| Serious leg fractures | Tens of thousands+, depending on complications and disability |
| Back injuries (moderate to severe) | Tens of thousands to higher brackets where long-term pain/disability occurs |
| Head/brain injury (more serious outcomes) | Can reach very high awards in the top brackets |
Important: These are guideline ranges, not guarantees. Your final figure depends on medical evidence, recovery, and financial losses.
Time limits: How long do you have to claim?
In most UK personal injury cases, the court time limit is 3 years from the date of the accident (or “date of knowledge” in some situations).
This is set out in the Limitation Act 1980.
Because evidence can disappear quickly, it’s smart to start early—even if you’re still receiving treatment.
How National Claims helps you make a strong claim
A vulnerable road user claim succeeds on evidence, medical support, and correct valuation. National Claims helps by connecting you with experienced solicitors who can:
- Obtain medical reports and expert evidence
- Secure CCTV, witness statements, and accident reconstruction where needed
- Calculate past and future losses properly
- Arrange rehabilitation support when appropriate
- Handle insurer negotiations and liability disputes
Common mistakes that reduce compensation
Avoid these pitfalls:
- Waiting weeks to seek medical help (insurers argue injuries weren’t caused by the crash)
- Not reporting the incident or failing to record details
- Posting on social media about activity levels while injured
- Throwing away receipts and not tracking time off work
- Accepting a quick settlement before your prognosis is clear
Instead, act early and document everything—because it strengthens your credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions: Being hit by a car as a vulnerable road user
1. Do I need the driver to admit fault?
No. Many claims succeed without an admission. Evidence and medical records matter most.
2. What if the driver says I “came out of nowhere”?
That’s common. However, witness statements, CCTV, and road layout evidence can challenge that.
3. Can I claim if I was cycling or walking at night?
Yes. Visibility is relevant, but it doesn’t automatically prevent a claim.
4. What if I’m still in treatment?
You can start the claim now. In fact, starting early helps preserve evidence and records.
5. Will I have to go to court?
Most claims settle without a trial. Still, your solicitor prepares every case as if it may go to court.
Fees and important information
Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Speak to National Claims today
If you were hit by a car as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or other vulnerable road user, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Acting early helps protect evidence and strengthens your case.
Don’t wait while your claim window closes. Speak with National Claims today. We’ll connect you with experienced solicitors who understand your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
About National Claims
This article was written by the National Claims content team. Our specialists have years of experience helping people across the UK with personal injury, road traffic accident, and housing disrepair claims. We work alongside regulated solicitors to ensure our information is accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful for anyone seeking to understand their rights after an accident.
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