Horse Riding Accident Claims – How Much Compensation Could I Claim?

Horse riding is a very popular activity enjoyed by thousands of people every year. As with any activity involving large animals, there is a risk of accidents happening which, in some cases, are unavoidable. However, if you’re injured whilst riding or working with a horse because somebody else was negligent, you could be eligible to make a horse riding accident claim for compensation.

We have a team of experienced personal injury solicitors who could help you claim compensation for an equestrian accident. To start, an advisor will review your claim with you during a free telephone consultation. You’ll receive free advice about your claim and we could partner you with one of our personal injury solicitors who’ll represent you on a No Win No Fee basis if your claim is accepted.

To discuss a horse riding accident claim today, call us on 0800 6524 881. Alternatively, you can connect with a claims advisor via live chat or complete a callback form to have us contact you at a convenient time.

Am I Eligible To Make A Horse Riding Accident Compensation Claim?

Generally, to be eligible to make a horse riding accident claim, you’ll need to prove that:

• You were owed a duty of care by the defendant in your case; and
• Because the defendant was negligent, a horse riding accident occurred; and
• As a result of your accident, you sustained injuries.

A legal duty of care is likely to exist if you’re injured:

• While working in a stable or near horses (paid or voluntarily).
• In a road traffic accident.
• Whilst watching or participating in a competition.
• While taking part in a horse riding lesson or activity.

Essentially, anybody who lets you near their horses should take reasonable steps to try and ensure your safety. If they don’t, and you’re injured as result, you might have grounds to claim compensation.

Common Causes Of Horse Riding Accident Claims

Some common causes of horse riding accidents you could claim compensation for include:

• Inadequate supervision or training. If you were injured whilst working with a horse because of a lack of supervision or you’d not been trained properly.
• Poorly maintained equipment. If your horse’s riding gear was faulty, damaged, or improperly fitted (such as reins, bridle, or saddle).
• Unsuitable or unpredictable horses. Where you were paired with a horse with a temperament that is not suitable to your riding skill or your riding style.
• Unsafe riding conditions. A known hazard on a trail or in a riding area contributed to your accident.
• Lack of proper protective gear. You were not provided with essential safety equipment, like a helmet or body protector
• Negligent actions by others. If somebody else’s actions, such as startling your horse on purpose, caused it to buck or throw you.
• Aggressive or dangerous drivers. You were knocked or thrown from your horse because of an aggressive or dangerous driver.

Our team can help with essentially any type of horse riding accident claim. Please get in touch if you’d like them to review yours for free and explain your options.

Common Equestrian Injuries

Our personal injury solicitors could help to you claim compensation for any type of equestrian injury that you sustain in an accident. Some of the more common equestrian injuries include:

• Head injuries, such as concussions, skull fractures and brain damage.
• Spinal injuries, including spinal cord damage or paralysis.
• Broken bones, such as fractures to arms, legs, or ribs.
• Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, and contusions.
• Internal injuries, such as damage to organs or internal bleeding.
• Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.

Remember, even though horse riding can be a dangerous activity, you could be compensated for your injuries if somebody else’s negligence led to the accident.

How Much Compensation For A Horse Riding Accident Could I Claim?

There’s no fixed amount of compensation for a horse riding accident you’d receive as each claim is unique. Therefore, it’s vital to account for all the ways the incident has impacted you personally, including physically, mentally and financially.

When you contact us to review your case, we’ll explain what you may be compensated for. In general, though, compensation could cover:

• The pain you have suffered following the horse riding accident and during treatment.
• Any distress, anxiety or other mental injuries resulting from your accident.
• Loss of enjoyment in hobbies or social activities due to your injuries.
• Care or assistance provided by others during your recovery.
• Lost income if you weren’t able to work while you were recovering.
• The cost of replacing any personal items damaged in the horse riding accident.
• Travel expenses relating to your equestrian injuries such as the cost of fuel and hospital parking fees.
• Future loss of earnings where your injuries will have a long-term impact on your earning ability.
• Necessary home/vehicle modifications to help manage any permanent disabilities caused by the horse riding accident.

If your claim is accepted, your solicitor will work to secure the highest possible compensation to support your recovery and address the effects of your horse riding injuries.

Equestrian Injuries Compensation Calculator

Due to the way personal injuries vary, we aren’t able to calculate an exact amount of compensation for equestrian injuries you could claim without knowing what exactly has happened. However, personal injury solicitors are able to refer to Judicial College Guidelines (a list of personal injuries and suggested compensation levels) when calculating compensation. This means our solicitors could provide a compensation estimate after reviewing your case as compensation for special damages will need to be added in where applicable.

To provide some idea of how much compensation for a horse riding accident you could claim for, you can use the compensation calculator below.

Please note, however, that these figures should be used for indicative purposes only. If your claim is successful, it can’t be guaranteed that compensation paid will match those listed in the calculator. This means your payout could be higher, or indeed lower.

What Evidence Can Support A Horse Riding Accident Claim?

To make a successful compensation claim following a horse riding accident, you’ll need to evidence prove how the accident happened, who was to blame, and what equestrian injuries you suffered. This could include:

• Camera footage. If anybody was videoing the equestrian event in which you were injured, you should ask them for a copy as soon as possible. Similarly, if dashcam footage of a road traffic accident involving a horse exists, ask the owner to forward you a copy.
• Medical evidence. It’s important to have your horse riding injuries treated by medical professionals at a hospital or minor injuries unit. After treatment, you could request a copy of your medical records to help determine the severity of your injuries.
• Accident report forms. Any company operating riding stables or equestrian centres, for example, must track any incidents by recording them in an accident report book. Your copy of the report may help to prove when, where and why the horse-riding accident happened.
• Vet or equine records. If the accident involved a horse known for unpredictable behaviour or health issues, records from a veterinarian or stable could help demonstrate liability.
• Witness details. You should give your solicitor the contact details of any witnesses who saw the accident take place. If needed, they might be asked for a statement later on.
• Photographs. If possible, you should try to take photographs of anything that caused your accident as soon as possible. For example, you could take pictures of poorly fitted horse riding gear or damaged equipment. Also, it’s a good idea to take regular photographs of any visible injuries during your recovery.
• Financial records. Documentation of any expenses or losses you’ve incurred as a result of the horse riding accident, such as receipts for prescription costs or wage slips for loss of earnings.

Additionally, you may wish to write as much down as you can about the accident and how your injuries have affected you. For example, you could write down your pain levels, the emotional impact and the dates when you couldn’t work or attend family events.

If you need us to check any evidence you have for a horse riding accident claim, please get in touch today.

What’s The Time Limit For Claiming Horse Riding Accident Compensation?

The time limit for starting a horse riding accident claim is typically 3 years. In most cases, this will start on the date of the accident. However, certain exceptions can apply depending on the circumstances, for example:

• For child injuries, a parent, guardian, or trusted friend can act as a “litigation friend” to file a claim on behalf of a child. In these cases, the 3-year limit doesn’t apply immediately, and a claim can be filed at any time before the child turns 18. If no claim is made during this period, the child then has 3 years from their 18^th birthday to file on their own, up until they turn 21.
• For those lacking mental capacity, the 3-year time limit is paused. A litigation friend may act on their behalf to initiate a horse riding accident claim at any time. If the injured person regains mental capacity, the 3-year limit would begin from that date.

Although 3 years may seem like ample time, it’s best to get in touch for free legal advice sooner rather than later. By doing so, you’ll give your solicitor more time to collect supporting evidence to ensure a strong case.

Do I Need A Solicitor To File A Horse Riding Injury Claim?

While it’s possible to file a horse riding injury claim yourself, using a solicitor can make the process much smoother and may increase your chances of a successful outcome. Our accident claims solicitors can help ensure that every aspect of your case is addressed, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers.

They can also arrange independent medical assessments where required, and calculate all types of damages you’re entitled to, including pain and suffering, financial losses, and any long-term care needs. If necessary, your solicitor may also be able to arrange interim payments to help cover medical or care costs while your horse riding accident claim is in progress.

Having one of our solicitors by your side can relieve much of the stress of the process, allowing you to focus on recovery while they work to secure the best outcome for your claim.

How Long Does A Horse Riding Accident Claim Take?

The length of time it takes to settle a horse riding accident claim generally varies from case to case depending on various factors, such as:

• How severe the injuries sustained are.
• What evidence is available.
• How willing the defendant is to admit liability.
• Negotiating a settlement.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to give a specific answer for how long a horse riding accident claim might take, but the process can typically take a matter of months for fairly straightforward claims to a year or more for more complex claims.

Please contact us if you’d like a solicitor to assess the specific circumstances of your horse-riding accident and provide some idea of how long the process may take.

Starting The Horse Riding Accident Claims Process

To reduce your financial risk (and stress levels too) our solicitors provide a No Win No Fee service for any horse riding accident claim they take on. This means you will only pay a success fee (set out in a Conditional Fee Agreement) to cover the solicitor’s work if your case is won. If the claim fails, you won’t pay any solicitor’s fees at all.

To find out whether you could claim for equestrian injuries on a No Win No Fee basis, call us on 0800 6524 881 today. Whatever you decide to do, we’ll provide free legal advice on your options following your no-obligation consultation.

Please feel free to use live chat if you have any extra questions about the process of making a horse riding accident claim.