Car and taxi passenger accident compensation claims

It's normal to feel shaken after a car crash but try to stay calm. As a passenger, your priority is to check yourself for injuries, then check on others in the vehicle if you're able to do so safely.

If you or anyone else is injured, even if it seems minor, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries aren't immediately obvious, so it's important to get checked by a medical professional.

If anyone is injured, the road is blocked or it's unsafe to remain at the scene, call 999 and request emergency services. They will create a report documenting what happened, which may support your car accident passenger claim later.

Even as a passenger in a car accident, you can call for help if the driver is unable to do so. If emergency services aren't called at the scene but injuries become apparent later, the accident should still be reported within 24 hours.

If you're well enough, try to gather as much information as possible. This could include:

• Names, contact details and insurance information of the drivers involved.
• Vehicle registration numbers and car descriptions.
• Photos of the scene, vehicle damage and any visible injuries.
• Contact details of any witnesses.
• Notes about the time, location and weather.

If you've been a passenger in a car accident and feel you have grounds to make a no win, no fee claim, contact our Helpline Advisors on . Our team will talk you through your options free of charge, with no obligation to proceed, and match you with a regulated solicitor firm who are experienced at handling passenger car accident claims.

If a passenger is injured by an uninsured driver, a claim may still be possible. In the UK, all successful claims against uninsured drivers are paid by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). The MIB was created specifically to compensate victims of car accidents caused by uninsured or untraceable drivers.

Every week, at least one person is killed by an uninsured driver, and in 2024, the MIB settled claims for more than 34,000 people who were victims of uninsured or hit-and-run drivers.

Passengers injured in a hit and run accident can still make a passenger injury claim. Even if the other driver left the scene without stopping, didn't have a driving licence, was driving a stolen vehicle or cannot be traced, the MIB will cover successful passenger claims.

This protects victims and means they can receive compensation for injuries caused by negligent or irresponsible drivers.

If you've been injured in an accident, you'll have three years from the date it happened to either settle your passenger compensation claim or start court proceedings. However, there are certain circumstances where this time limit may vary including:

In cases where you were under 18

If you were a passenger in a car accident and under the age of 18 at the time, and no claim was made on your behalf, you have three years from your 18th birthday to make a passenger injury claim. Court proceedings must be started or the claim settled by your 21st birthday.

In cases of fatalities

If a loved one dies after being injured as a passenger in an accident, you will usually have three years to make a claim. This period runs from the date of their passing. Within this three-year period, the claim must either be resolved or legal proceedings started.

In cases where a claimant lacks mental capacity

If the injured person lacks mental capacity there is no time limit to make a claim while they lack capacity. If they later regain capacity, the three-year time limit begins from that point, even if capacity is lost again later. The claim must either be settled, or court proceedings started, in this timeframe. The mental capacity of a claimant is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Passengers involved in car or taxi accidents are rarely at fault. Responsibility usually falls on the driver, either of your car or the other car involved.

All drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and carefully. This obligation, called a ‘duty of due care', applies to operators of cars, lorries, buses, coaches, trains, planes, boats and ships. It exists to protect passengers and minimise harm to other road users.

If any driver fails to show due care for passengers' safety that results in an accident, then the injured passenger may be entitled to make a car or taxi passenger accident claim.

Yes, early compensation payments can be made in certain circumstances. They are also called interim or immediate needs payments and are issued to people who need early financial help before their passenger compensation claim is settled.

Early passenger compensation payments can be made for several reasons including, but not limited to:

• Severe injuries causing financial hardship.
• Accommodation for family during treatment.
• Rent, mortgage, or bills due to reduced income.

If you're unable to cover the financial aftermath of your injury, your legal team will work to secure these payments for you. They'll do this while also negotiating your final passenger injury compensation settlement.

We know making a claim can feel like a daunting experience, so if you'd like to discuss your options, call our Helpline Advisors for free on and they can provide guidance on your situation.

Yes, you can still make a car accident passenger claim if you were in the at-fault vehicle - passengers are rarely at fault in car crashes. You can make a claim against taxi drivers, bus drivers or even a friend or family member if they were the responsible driver.

You can make a passenger injury claim if you were in an accident on public transport. Public transport drivers have a duty of care to you and an obligation to drive safely and responsibly. If this duty is breached and you're injured, you may be entitled to passenger injury compensation. Common claims include:

• Bus accident claims: If the bus or coach you were travelling on collided with another vehicle.
• Taxi accident claims: If your taxi (including app-based services like Uber) or private hire vehicle was involved in a crash or driven carelessly.
• Train accident claims: If the train you were on was involved in a collision or derailment.
• Tram accident claims: If injuries are caused by collisions or unsafe operation of a tram.

Don't worry if the above doesn't cover what you've experienced, these are just a few examples and injuries on public transport can happen in many different ways. If you've been injured as a passenger and want to know if you have a valid passenger accident claim, get in touch with us on so we can help you make an informed decision.

If you were a passenger in a car crash, claiming may still be possible even if you weren't wearing a seatbelt. However, because not wearing a seatbelt may have worsened your injuries, your compensation is likely to be reduced to reflect your partial responsibility (known as contributory negligence).

Passenger injury compensation is guided by the Judicial College Guidelines, which are part of the Ministry of Justice. These guidelines set recommended ranges for general damages, which is compensation for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, based on the type and severity of the injury. Below are some examples of the injuries that can occur and the range of general damages for each:

Source: Values are from the 18th and latest edition from the Judicial College guidelines, published in April 2026.

*These figures are provided as a guide only and are not fixed. The final compensation will depend on the specific circumstances of each case, including the severity of the injury, its overall impact and the strength of the evidence. Specific whiplash injuries are valued using the whiplash tariff matrix as agreed by the UK government following the 2021 whiplash reforms.