Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian? A Step-by-Step Guide on What to Do

1. Prioritise Your Safety and Medical Attention

Your first priority after any road traffic accident will be your safety.

• If possible, move to a safe place, to avoid further danger from passing traffic.
• Call 999 to request an ambulance/Police and report the incident. If you’re seriously hurt or feel disoriented, don’t try to move too much.
• Stay still if you’re in pain, and wait for medical professionals to assess you.

Even if you feel okay, see a doctor as soon as possible. Adrenaline will mask pain, and some injuries (like internal bruising or concussion) won’t appear straight away. Many of our claimants report that their injury symptoms developed 24-48 hours after an accident (and even longer in some cases), so do seek medical attention. Medical records provide excellent supportive evidence for a solicitor to use if you decide to make a pedestrian personal injury claim at a later date.

2. Gather Key Information at the Scene (If You Can)

If you or someone you’re with is able to do so, try to collect:

• The driver’s name, phone number, and address
• Insurance details of the driver
• The vehicle’s registration number
• Photographs of the scene, including road conditions, signage, vehicle position, and your injuries
• Names and contact details of any witnesses
• If the incident was a hit and run and the vehicle failed to stop, try to remember as much detail as you can and ensure that you report the incident to the Police

If you weren’t able to do this at the time, don’t worry. You may still have options for finding this information through the police or legal support. However, recording as much information at the time of the incident is the best course of action.

3. Report the Incident

In the UK, vehicle drivers must report a road traffic accident involving injury to the police within 24 hours, even an ambulance wasn’t needed, the injured person didn’t go to A&E or see a Doctor. If you or someone else called 999 at the time of the incident, the police should already have a record.

• If you didn’t speak to the police at the scene or the incident hasn’t already been reported, contact your local police station and give a detailed report.
• Request a crime reference number – this helps build your case and will be needed by your solicitor, insurance companies or MIB representatives.
• Follow up any injuries with your GP, even if you’ve been seen at A&E. Your GP can help monitor ongoing issues, ensuring that your medical records will be updated as they provide supporting evidence for any claim.

4. Keep Records and Evidence

Having information to support your claim is really important and keeping records and documentation will greatly support your case and help any compensation claim run smoothly. As soon as possible, start gathering and storing the following:

• Medical records, hospital discharge notes, and GP letters (you don’t need to obtain these – but make sure that you attend the GP/Hospital so that records are available)
• Photos of your injuries over time (e.g., bruising, swelling, stitches)
• Receipts for any expenses (e.g., taxis, medication, parking for hospital visits)
• A pain or recovery journal – write down how you’re feeling, your daily struggles, how the injuries affect your day-to-day life and note any unpaid time off work

Evidence of this sort really helps demonstrate the impact of your injuries and supports your solicitor in their work on your claim for compensation.

5. Understand Your Legal Rights

As a pedestrian, you are legally protected. If a driver was careless, speeding, or failed to stop at a crossing, you will be entitled to compensation. 

Importantly:

• Even if you crossed away from a zebra crossing or didn’t see the car coming, you might still have a valid claim.
• The law recognises that drivers owe a duty of care to pedestrians, who are some of the most vulnerable road users.

A pedestrian injury claim can help cover your:

• Medical costs
• Loss of earnings
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Travel or care expenses linked to your injury

Learn more about making a pedestrian injury claim in our detailed guide. 

6. Seek Professional Advice Early

It will really help you to get early expert legal guidance from a personal injury specialist.

• A legal expert will help explain your rights and let you know how they will deal with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Use our “no win, no fee” service – meaning there’s no financial risks in starting a claim.
• You’ll get help with gathering evidence, have an expert negotiating with insurers on your behalf, and they know exactly what compensation and other costs you might be entitled to.

Speaking to a specialist at the earliest opportunity after an accident will make the process less stressful and allow you to focus on recovery from your injuries. 

If you are unsure as to whether you have a claim, Get in touch with our expert team. We’re here to help with any type of road traffic accident and we’re available today to offer free, friendly and helpful advice so that you can understand whether you’re entitled to compensation and how the process works. 

What If You Didn’t Get the Driver’s Details?

If you were involved in a hit-and-run, or the driver refused to stop, you can still take action and we can still make a claim for you on a No Win No Fee basis.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) is in place to help victims of uninsured or untraced drivers meaning that you can:

• Make a claim through the MIB for your injuries & any lost income
• Still receive compensation if the accident was not your fault
• Get support with the process from a legal claims expert

It’s important that you don’t give up hope after a pedestrian v car accident – help is in place to help protect people who are in your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Being hit by a car as a pedestrian can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face it alone – we’re here to offer friendly, supportive assistance when you need it the most.

Prioritise your health, report the incident, keep good records, and understand your rights. Whether you’re unsure about compensation or need advice on what to do next, we can help. 

Our advice is free, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Drop us a line on 01225 430285 or get in touch via our contact form to learn how we can help you.