Pedestrian accident abroad claims

Being hit by a vehicle in another country is frightening and can leave you facing serious physical and emotional challenges. If someone else was responsible, you may be entitled to make a pedestrian accident abroad claim.

GET IN TOUCH 0330 175 8740

Trustpilot
TOP-RANKED LEGAL EXPERTS CHAMBERS & LEGAL 500
NO WIN, NO FEE

Reviewed by

Ross Smith

International Injuries Team Lead

Additional content

Daria Siokalo

Litigation Executive

Last Updated

19th July 2026

Can I make a pedestrian accident abroad claim?

You may be able to make a pedestrian accident abroad claim if you are a UK resident who was struck by a vehicle while overseas, and the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Being injured as a pedestrian abroad can be life-changing.

Claims can be made in a wide range of circumstances. You may be eligible whether your accident happened on a package holiday or a short city break. If you were hit by a vehicle anywhere on a public road, and another party was at fault, it is worth speaking to us.

You can also make a claim on behalf of someone else, if the injured person doesn’t have the mental capacity to bring a claim forward themselves. Parents and guardians can claim on behalf of injured children, and family members can bring a claim in fatal accident cases.

Even if you are unsure whether you were fully blameless, or if some time has passed since your accident, you can still speak with our team. Time limits vary by country and in some destinations, you may have as little as one year from the date of your accident to bring a claim. We will tell you honestly what your options are.

Example of a pedestrian accident abroad claim

Imagine a UK tourist crossing a road at a marked pedestrian crossing in Spain, when a driver runs a red light and strikes them, causing multiple fractures and a period of hospitalisation abroad. The driver was at fault for failing to stop, and the accident was captured on a nearby camera. This could form the basis of a valid pedestrian accident abroad claim.

Common pedestrian accident abroad claims we support

Expertise you can trust

9/10 clients would recommend us
4,000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months
Dedicated rehabilitation and wellbeing team

What compensation can help with

Pedestrian crossing button with walk signal icon and arrow on city street

Covering the costs of your recovery and protecting your future.

Compensation for a pedestrian accident abroad is not just about acknowledging what happened to you. It is about making sure you have the financial support to access the treatment you need and replace lost earnings while you rebuild your life.

Pedestrian accidents can result in serious, sometimes life-changing injuries. The costs involved, from emergency medical care abroad, to rehabilitation and ongoing support back in the UK, can add quickly. A successful claim can help meet those costs so that money is one less thing to worry about.

A successful pedestrian accident abroad claim may help fund:

Emergency medical treatment
Hospital costs overseas
Ongoing rehabilitation
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy at home
Repatriation and travel costs related to your recovery
Loss of earnings, including future losses
In addition, compensation may contribute towards psychological support and counselling, care and support at home, and any necessary home adaptations or specialist mobility equipment.

Understanding the potential value

No two pedestrian accident abroad claims are the same. The value of a claim depends on the severity of your injuries, how they have affected your ability to work and live independently, and what care and support you will need going forward. We consider the impact on your day-to-day life, as well as any costs needed to ensure your future care.

Understanding interim payments

We understand that waiting for a claim to conclude can place real financial pressure on you and your family. Where possible, we will seek interim payments on your behalf. These are payments made during the claims process, before the final settlement is reached and can help cover immediate costs such as medical treatment or rehabilitation, so you do not have to wait until the end of your claim to access the support you need.

Specialist pedestrian accident abroad solicitors

Why choose Fletchers for your pedestrian accident abroad claim?

Pedestrian accident abroad claims are complex because every country has its own legal system and its own rules on how compensation is calculated. The time limits to make a claim can also vary between countries. Getting the right specialist on your side makes all the difference when making a claim for a pedestrian accident abroad. At Fletchers, our international injury team handles claims across Europe, North America, Australia, Asia and beyond, guiding you through unfamiliar legal systems so you do not have to face them alone.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist international injury lawyers with experience handling pedestrian accident claims across Europe, North America, Australia and Asia
Recognised by Legal 500 as leading in the field for high-value and complex trauma cases in the North West
Clear, honest advice on eligibility and your options, wherever in the world your accident happened
End-to-end claim management, including gathering evidence and navigating overseas legal systems on your behalf
Support for claims involving serious and life-changing injuries, including brain injuries, amputations, spinal injuries and psychological trauma
Compassionate support for families bringing claims following a fatal accident abroad
No win, no fee funding, so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you’re going through.

We know how unsettling it can be to be injured while you are away from home. What should have been a straightforward trip can quickly turn into something stressful and confusing, leaving you in pain and dealing with systems you do not recognise. Even after you return to the UK, things often do not feel resolved. Recovery can take time, and the experience itself can stay with you in ways you did not expect.

We also understand how quickly the pressure can build once you are back. You may be facing time away from work and ongoing treatment, while unexpected costs continue to mount. Travel expenses and medical care do not stop, and it can feel difficult to keep up while you are trying to focus on getting better. Working out what support is available can feel overwhelming, especially when another country is involved.

Many of our clients have come to us in exactly this position, unsure whether they had a claim and uncertainty about who to trust. What they all had in common was that they needed someone to listen and take the complexity off their hands.

At Fletchers Solicitors, we have a specialist focus on international injury and accident abroad claims, with dedicated lawyers who understand the complexities of making a claim overseas. This means you can rely on experienced, consistent support throughout your case, no matter where your accident occurred.

People we’ve supported

1/3

VIEW ALL STORIES

FAQs about pedestrian accident abroad claims

What is a pedestrian accident abroad claim?

A pedestrian accident abroad claim is a legal route for UK residents to seek compensation after being struck by a vehicle or other road user while travelling outside the UK. If another party’s negligence caused your accident and injuries, you may be eligible to make a claim, even if the accident happened in another country.

How long do I have to make a claim for a pedestrian accident abroad?

Time limits vary depending on where your accident occurred. Some countries have much shorter deadlines than the UK’s standard three-year limit. For example, France mirrors our limit of three years since the accident and most Australian states are the same, however in Italy the limit is two years. Further to this, if you were injured in Spain or Thailand, you only have one year to make a claim. Across the USA, the time limits vary by state and can range from one year up to three.

It is important to seek legal advice as early as possible to make sure you do not miss the relevant deadline for your claim.

Can I claim if I was hit by a car on holiday?

Yes. If another party was responsible for the accident, you may be able to make a pedestrian accident abroad claim. It does not matter whether you were on a package holiday, travelling independently, what matters is whether someone else’s negligence caused your injury.

Who do I claim against for a pedestrian accident abroad?

This depends on how the accident happened. In most cases, you may be able to claim against the driver responsible, their insurer, or another liable party. Our lawyers will identify the correct party and handle the process on your behalf.

What evidence do I need for a pedestrian accident abroad claim?

Evidence that can support your claim includes medical records and hospital reports, and photographs of the accident scene and your injuries. Witness contact details and police reports (if one was made) can also be helpful. If possible, the driver’s details or vehicle information where available can largely support your claim but even if you were not able to gather evidence at the time, our team can advise on what is available and how to build your case.

Can I still claim if I didn't report the accident abroad?

You may still be able to make a claim, although reporting the accident at the time can strengthen your case. If you did not report it, it is still worth speaking to us. We will advise on the next steps based on the evidence available to you.

Do I need travel insurance to make a claim?

No. You do not need travel insurance to pursue a pedestrian accident abroad claim. A legal claim is separate from any insurance policy. If another party was responsible for your accident, our solicitors can help you seek compensation regardless of whether you had travel insurance in place.

Can I claim compensation in the UK for my accident abroad?

In many cases, yes, particularly if you are a UK resident. The rules depend on where your accident happened and the circumstances involved. Our solicitors will advise you on whether your claim can be handled from the UK and how the relevant country’s legal system applies to your situation.

Can I claim if the amputation or serious injury was partially my fault?

Partial fault does not necessarily prevent you from making a claim. In some cases, compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility. This concept is called contributory negligence and we will give you honest advice on how fault is likely to be assessed in your specific circumstances.

Are pedestrian accident abroad claims handled on a No Win No Fee basis?

Yes. We handle all pedestrian accident abroad claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you will not have to pay upfront legal fees, and if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for our legal costs.