Parent and Child Struck While Crossing the Road
Our client was crossing the road with their children — a routine walk that should have ended the same way it started. It didn't. A driver failed to stop, and the client and one of their children were struck.
What happened
Pedestrian collisions are different from the rest of the work we do, because there is no vehicle to recover and no repair to arrange. What there is instead is a family dealing with injury, worry about a child, and the sort of after-effects that do not show up on a medical report.
What we did
There was no repair side to this one, so this was a claim matter throughout. NJS Law worked the case through with an understanding that the effects of something like this do not end when the bruises fade — particularly where a child is involved.
The outcome
NJS Law secured £2,100 in compensation.
Every claim is different. This outcome reflects the specific circumstances and injuries in this case and is not an indication of what any other claim may be worth.
Can you claim if you were hit by a car as a pedestrian?
Yes. Pedestrians injured by a vehicle through no fault of their own can bring a claim in the same way as any other road user. Drivers owe a duty of care to everyone using the road, and courts in England and Wales have long recognised that pedestrians — and children in particular — are among the most vulnerable road users.
How long does a child have to make a claim?
Longer than an adult. The usual time limit for a personal injury claim in England and Wales is three years from the date of the accident, but for a child the three years does not begin until their eighteenth birthday — so a claim can generally be brought up to the age of 21. Before then, a parent or guardian can bring a claim on the child's behalf as their "litigation friend". Any compensation awarded to a child is usually held by the court until they turn 18.
If you or your child have been hurt as a pedestrian
We're here. Call 0800 820 3860 for a free consultation — no pressure, and an honest answer about where you stand.
Back on the Road UK is a trading name of NJS Law Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 15170704. NJS Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 8006550. This page describes a real claim handled by our team and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal advice.