Passenger Injury Claims

If you were injured while travelling as a passenger, you may be able to make a passenger injury claim against the person responsible. Our team can guide you through the process.

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Author

Sarah Ouko

Partner & Solicitor

Last Updated

14th July 2026

Can I make a passenger injury claim?

You can make a passenger injury claim if you were injured as a passenger in an accident that was not your fault. In most cases, we bring your claim against the driver of the vehicle, another road user, or a pedestrian who caused the accident.

You may have been injured in a car accident, taxi accident (including as an Uber passenger), bus or coach accident, or another road traffic accident.

If you were injured in a car accident, we’ll investigate what happened to you. It’s our job to establish who was responsible, gather evidence to support your claim and show how the accident affected you. You may still be able to claim even if you do not have the driver’s details, or the responsible driver was uninsured or untraced.

There is a legal time limit to bring a claim, so please get in touch as soon as possible. If you’re concerned you were partly responsible for the accident, please still contact us – you may still be able to claim.

We’ve successfully represented people injured in road traffic accidents since 1987, so you’re in the best possible hands during your claim for passenger accident compensation.

Example of a passenger injury claim

One example might be if you were on a bus that braked sharply, throwing you forward and causing you to hit the seat in front, causing an injury.

Another example is being injured as a passenger in a car accident if another driver pulls out of a junction without looking. If we can find that the person driving didn’t take the necessary precautions to keep you safe in their vehicle, and you were injured as a result, we may be able to argue a valid compensation claim.

Common passenger injury claims we support

Expertise you can trust

9/10 clients would recommend us
APIL Accredited Experts
4000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months

What compensation can help with

Close-up of hand on car steering wheel with blurred outside view

Recovering lost income and covering future care.

Compensation can help you cover lost income and pay for expenses you’ve incurred because of your injury. In more serious passenger injury cases, compensation can fund future care costs – so you get the help you need for the years ahead without having to worry about money.

A successful passenger accident compensation claim may help fund:

Rehabilitation and physiotherapy if the injury was complex
Costs of ongoing medical treatment and specialist care
Psychological support and counselling, if you are suffering from PTSD
Adaptations you might need to your home to accommodate your injury
Specialist mobility equipment
Loss of earnings, both past and future
Care and support costs
Travel and transport costs related to your recovery

Understanding the potential value

We secured around £4,750 for our client, who was injured in a road collision as a passenger. Our client, who was a student, was injured when another driver pulled into the car’s path.

This left him with soft tissue injuries to his neck, shoulder and back, injuries to both knees and a minor head injury. The settlement was more than triple the value of the other side’s initial offer – which we successfully argued was a significant undervaluation for our client’s serious knee injury.

When we value your claim, we’ll fight to receive the maximum compensation possible.

Understanding general and special damages

There are two parts to the compensation payment you receive: general and special. General compensation reflects the level of pain, suffering and loss of amenity you’ve experienced.

On top of that is your special compensation, which covers your financial losses.

That includes costs like adapting your home or car, lost income, and healthcare fees not covered by the NHS. It’s useful if you can keep hold of receipts and invoices linked to your injury, plus proof of your level of earnings before the accident.

Specialist passenger injury claim solicitors

We’re some of the leading passenger injury solicitors in the UK.

Why choose Fletchers for your passenger injury claim?

For over four decades, we’ve been established as one of the country’s leading and most respected road traffic accident solicitors. We handle every stage of your claim, including collecting vital evidence like accident and medical reports and calling in independent experts to back up your version of events. We have a proven track record of securing millions of pounds in compensation for people injured in a car accident or other road traffic collisions. And it;s our job is to build the strongest case possible for your claim, and support you throughout the journey.

Expertise you can rely on

Lexcel accredited by the Law Society
Solicitors accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
Ranked by Chambers and the Legal 500
Recognised with national personal injury awards
A trusted partner of the Spinal Injuries Association

You're not alone

We’re with you every step of the way.

Being injured as a passenger in a vehicle or road accident is particularly frustrating. You had no control over what happened, but you’re experiencing pain and disruption to your life anyway. We’ve represented thousands of passenger injury clients since 1987, and we’ve had real insights into how these accidents have affected them.

With us, you’ll have your own lead solicitor and team working on your case – dedicated to representing you and guiding you through the process. There’s also no financial risk, and you don’t have to find any upfront cash. We take all passenger in car accident claims and bus, taxi and coach accident claims on a “No Win, No Fee” basis. Your initial consultation is free, where we let you know if you have a strong case.

One thing clients have told us is that being awarded compensation was a way to have what happened to them recognised and draw a line under the accident. It’s not about the money even though it’s important. It’s about seeing the person responsible held to account.

Happy amputee doing exercises for upper body strength on exercise machine at gym.

Rehabilitation support

We go beyond legal advice to support you, not just your case, making sure the right care and practical help are in place throughout the compensation claim process.

A message from our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team

We work alongside Fletchers Solicitors’ legal experts – listening carefully to your needs, helping you understand what support is available and creating a personalised recovery plan.

Led by rehabilitation manager Julie Chorlton, we bring together expertise across healthcare, therapy and welfare support, and can help arrange access to treatment and financial support. We also work with accredited mental health professionals, giving you and your family access to counselling quickly.

OUR REHABILITATION & WELLBEING TEAM

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FAQs about passenger injury claims

I was a passenger in a car accident. Who do I sue?

Your solicitor identifies and then approaches the parties responsible for your injury to claim compensation on your behalf.

If the accident involved an uninsured or unidentified driver, your solicitor will approach the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

How long after a passenger injury can I make a claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to start a personal injury claim. There are exceptions to this though, so it’s best to get advice as soon as possible.

How long does a passenger injury claim take?

Simple claims where your injuries are not severe, and the other party admits liability can settle within a few months. For more severe injuries where the other party doesn’t admit responsibility, settlement can take two to three years.

How to start a passenger injury claim?

Contact Fletchers and tell us what happened. We will ask where the accident happened, what injury you suffered and what evidence you have.

Do passenger injury claims go to court?

Most personal injury claims settle through negotiation. If court proceedings become necessary, your solicitor will manage this part of the process for you.

What support is available to me during my claim?

In cases of catastrophic injury, our in-house Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team can support your full recovery journey. They’re there to help you at every stage of your recovery, even after you’ve received your compensation settlement.

Trust them to put you in touch with the right physical rehabilitation and psychological support, and provide you with guidance on dealing with everyday challenges after your injury.

What passenger accident circumstances might result in a claim?

Common reasons for a claim include:

Rear-end collisions: Another vehicle hits the car, taxi or bus you are travelling in
Junction accidents: A driver pulls out, turns across traffic or fails to give way
Motorway crashes: You sustain an injury in a high-speed collision or multi-vehicle accident
Sudden braking: A bus, coach or taxi stops sharply, and it throws you forward quickly
Unsafe driving: The driver speeds, loses control or fails to pay attention to the road
Dooring or boarding accidents: You’re injured while getting on or getting out of a vehicle