Pedestrians, especially children, are probably the most vulnerable road users. If they are involved in any type of Road Traffic Accident (RTA), their injuries are likely to be serious, life-changing or even fatal. Using a zebra crossing to get across a road should reduce your chances of being involved in an RTA but, unfortunately, accidents on zebra crossings do happen.

Importantly, if you have been injured at or on a zebra crossing through no fault of your own, you may be eligible to make a zebra crossing accident claim to compensate you for your injuries. This guide explains that process.

You can get free legal advice from our specialists if you or a loved one has been hit on a zebra crossing and you’re thinking of making a claim. During your call, they’ll review your claim for you and let you know if you have a reasonable chance of being compensated. If you do, they could pass your case to one of our personal injury solicitors. If they do represent you, they’ll process your claim on a No Win No Fee basis so you won’t need to pay for their time unless you’re compensated.

To talk to us right away about starting a zebra crossing accident claim, please call us on 0800 6524 881 today. Alternatively, please read on to find out more.

Am I Eligible To Make A Zebra Crossing Accident Claim?

In any type of compensation claim for an accident at a zebra crossing, you’ll need to demonstrate that:

1. You were owed a legal duty of care by the defendant in your case; and
2. They were negligent in some way and caused an accident at a zebra crossing; and
3. As a result of that accident, you sustained some form of injury.

Proving points 2 and 3 is something we’ll look at shortly when we review what evidence you could use to support your case.

Proving a duty of care in any form of pedestrian accident involving a vehicle is usually quite straightforward, though. That’s because the Road Traffic Act 1988 dictates that all road users must try to avoid accidents and reduce injuries by taking reasonable steps. This applies to drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists, public transport drivers, and anybody else using the road, including pedestrians.

Zebra Crossing Accident Statistics

While zebra crossing accidents are relatively rare, they do happen. Recent government figures for accidents reported in 2020 show that:

• 5 adults were killed on a zebra crossing.
• 186 people were seriously injured on a zebra crossing including 34 children.
• 620 people sustained slight injuries on zebra crossings including 115 children.

If you or your child has been injured whilst using a zebra crossing, we could help you claim compensation. If you have any questions as you progress through our guide, please connect with us via live chat for an instant answer.

Negligence That Might Lead To A Zebra Crossing Accident Claim

As explained above, you might be eligible to claim compensation for an accident at a zebra crossing if you or your child were injured because the driver involved was negligent. This could include if the accident happened because:

• The driver was speeding or driving dangerously.
• A mobile phone, radio, satnav or other device was being used.
• Whilst one driver stopped to let you cross, another tried to overtake them.
• The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The driver simply wasn’t paying attention and failed to spot you crossing.
• A driver stopped but was then rear-ended and shunted into you by another vehicle.

As you can see, there are various reasons that a vehicle’s driver could be to blame for a zebra crossing accident. Importantly, it is also possible for a pedestrian to be responsible. They could cause an accident by:

• Using the zebra crossing when the walk light is red.
• Stepping onto the zebra crossing without looking for approaching vehicles.
• Attempting to dart across the road despite seeing that vehicles are approaching.

Our team of personal injury solicitors have literally decades of experience handling road traffic accident claims. To check if they could help you to claim compensation for a zebra crossing accident, please get in touch today.

Common Injuries Caused By Accidents On Zebra Crossings

It is possible to claim for any type of injury sustained in a zebra crossing accident. Some of the most common that our solicitors help with include:

• Concussions, brain injuries and other head injuries.
• Fractures and broken bones.
• Strains, sprains and other soft tissue injuries.
• Back, shoulder and neck injuries including delayed whiplash.
• Cuts, bruises and lacerations.

To find out if you could be compensated for your injuries following a zebra crossing accident, please speak with us today on 0800 6524 881.

Claiming Compensation For A Child Injured On A Zebra Crossing

Legally, a child is not allowed to represent themselves in any form of litigation. However, parents, guardians and other responsible adults can start a compensation claim on their behalf. By becoming the child’s litigation friend, you could work with one of our solicitors to try and secure compensation for their injuries.

Applying to be a litigation friend is quite straightforward and something we’re happy to help with. Once approved, you’ll be able to deal with everything on your child’s behalf so that the claim can progress as normal.

Hit & Run Claims

It is worth pointing out that if you or your child were involved in a hit-and-run accident at a zebra crossing, we could still help you to claim compensation. The same is true if the driver was uninsured. To find out more, please contact one of our specialist advisors.

How Much Compensation For An Accident On A Zebra Crossing Could I Claim?

The amount of compensation paid for a successful zebra crossing accident claim will usually be based on two heads of loss, general and special damages.

General damages will cover any suffering you’ve endured while special damages will aim to recoup any costs incurred as a result of the accident.

In general, a zebra crossing accident claim could include damages (where applicable) to cover:

• The physical pain and suffering caused by the accident.
• Any psychological damage (depression, stress, anxiety etc).
• Care costs if the claimant needed to be supported while they recovered.
• Medical expenses including physiotherapy and private medical treatment.
• The cost of replacing personal items damaged during the accident.
• Lost income and future loss of earnings where your injuries will cause long-term work problems.
• The cost of making changes to your home to help you cope with any ongoing disability.
• Travel expenses related to the zebra crossing accident.

Assessing the value of a zebra crossing accident claim properly is an important part of the claims process, especially if you’re dealing with long-term injuries. Our solicitors will always try to fully understand how you’ve suffered and how you’re likely to suffer before filing your claim. By doing so, they can try to maximise the amount of compensation you’ll receive if your claim is successful.

Evidence To Support A Zebra Crossing Accident Claim

Proving who was responsible for the zebra crossing accident and how it happened is vital if you’re to be compensated. Some of the evidence that could help includes:

• Dashcam or CCTV footage of the accident occurring. You are entitled to ask for a copy of recordings of yourself but you’ll need to act quickly.
• Medical notes and x-rays from the hospital that treated you. These can be used to help prove the severity of your injuries.
• Details of anybody who saw your accident happen. Witness statements can help if the defendant denies liability for causing the zebra crossing accident.
• The driver’s personal details and information about their vehicle. Most claims will be made against their motor insurance policy so ask for details of this as well.
• Photographs of the accident scene to help establish what happened. Pictures of any visible injuries could also prove useful as well.

If you’d like us to review any evidence you’ve managed to secure, please get in touch for a free consultation.

Zebra Crossing Accident Claims Time Limits

As you may know, you have 3-years to claim compensation for any type of personal injury in the UK. Usually, this will start from the date of the accident on the zebra crossing. We suggest that you should start the claim early to give plenty of time for evidence and medical reports to be collected.

Personal injury claims involving children don’t have the same time limit. Parents or guardians can take action on the child’s behalf right up until their 18^th birthday. If not, they’ll have 3-years beginning from when they turn 18 to make the claim for themselves.

Starting A Compensation Claim For A Zebra Crossing Accident

If you’ve decided to take action after being injured on a zebra crossing, you can call our free advice centre right away on 0800 6524 881. We’ll assess your chances of being compensated and explain your options for free.

If the case is suitable, one of our No Win No Fee solicitors will be appointed to represent you. Importantly, that means you’ll only have to pay for their work if you are awarded compensation.

Our advisors are available 24 hours a day via live chat if you have any additional questions about zebra crossing accident claims.