Car Accident Passenger Claims

Updated: December 8, 2025

Reviewed by: Jayne Orme

Updated: December 8, 2025

Reviewed by: Jayne Orme

Bike Accident Solicitor

Jayne is a Bike Accident Solicitor from one of our panel law firms.

What is a car accident passenger claim? 

In short, a car accident passenger claim is a claim that can be specifically made if you, or someone else travelling as a passenger in a car, was injured as a result of a road accident.

Can you claim as a passenger in a car accident?

Unlike many personal injury claims that involve road traffic accidents, when it comes to claiming compensation after a car accident, it’s actually much easier to put forward and win a claim as a passenger in a car accident . 

Passengers have far more compensation rights than other parties in RTA claims. This is because, in most cases, there is no way that a passenger can be deemed liable for the accident at hand.

Drivers of any vehicle have a duty of care to ensure that you and other passengers don’t come to harm during travel. This means that you’re likely eligible to make a claim should any car accident cause injury. 

Sadly, some car accidents result in fatal injuries for those involved. In cases where you have lost a loved one, you may be eligible to make a fatal accident claim as the next of kin for your deceased relative. 

How to claim as a passenger in a car accident

To begin the process of claiming compensation as a passenger in a car accident, you’ll first need to speak to a solicitor in order to determine if your claim is valid. Depending on the type of accident you were involved in, you could make a compensation claim against the following: 

• The driver of the car you were a passenger in
• The driver of the other car or cars involved in the accident
• All drivers involved in the accident 

If the circumstances allow, it may even be possible to make a claim against the local council or a car’s vehicle manufacturer if poor road surfaces or production malfunctions played a role in the accident.

Your lawyer will advise you on this during the investigations involved in your claim.  A car accident passenger claim could even be made if you were injured in an accident despite knowing that the driver was:

• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Using a handheld mobile device while driving
• Or if you witnessed the driver deliberately ignoring road safety 

What injuries can you claim for after a car accident?

Naturally, the next part of the passenger accident claims process will involve assessing what damages you suffered as a result of the guilty party’s negligence. There are numerous injuries you can make a claim for, including but not limited to: 

Arm injuries 

Back injuries 

Head injuries 

Neck injuries 

Foot injuries 

Knee injuries 

Leg injuries 

What evidence is needed for a car accident passenger claim? 

Once the details of your claim have been worked out, your lawyer will begin to build your case with as much evidence as possible. You can assist your lawyer in this process by providing some or all of the following: 

• Your medical records detailing your injuries and prognosis after the accident
• Reports from the police and other emergency services who attended the scene
• Statements from any witnesses who saw or heard your accident
• Photos or film footage of the accident site 

Of course, any other evidence you provide that can help your claim will only be beneficial. 

Find a solicitor for your passenger in a car accident claim 

At The Compensation Experts, we only work with reputable personal injury solicitors who have experience in successfully claiming damages. We’ll match you with a lawyer that suits your needs, and will provide the right legal support from beginning to end. 

Call today for a free, no-obligation discussion about starting your claim, or fill in our online form and we’ll call back at a time that suits you. We even offer a no-win, no-fee agreement*, so that you don’t have to pay a penny in the unlikely event that your claim is unsuccessful. 

*Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. Termination fees may apply if you do not keep to the terms of the agreement.     

Frequently asked questions about car accident passenger claims 

How much money can a passenger in a car accident get? 

The amount of compensation you will get as a passenger in a car accident will depend on a range of factors, as each road traffic accident case is different. However, you can visit our Injury Claim Calculator to get an estimate of the damages you might receive.  

An example of a successful claim for a passenger in a car accident was a man injured in a car crash caused by the driver of the car in which he was travelling. The claimant had severe whiplash and was also unable to work for three months whilst recovering. The other driver was insured and, after being presented with evidence which included police and medical reports, his insurance company acknowledged liability. As a result, the client was awarded almost £7,000 in damages. 

What does passenger in car accident compensation cover? 

The compensation provided if your passenger accident claim is accepted should cover damages as well as any additional expenses accrued during the claims process, such as reasonable private medical costs, transport to and from the hospital or work, and any income lost if you have been unable to work while you are recovering. 

Can I still make a car accident passenger claim if I was in a taxi? 

Absolutely. Taxi passenger rights for UK citizens ensure that you can make an accident claim provided you were not at fault for the accident. UK law states that all taxi drivers must have adequate motor and public liability insurance that enables them to account for compensation in such situations. 

That being said, as with any road traffic accident, it is always worth seeking legal expert advice when making your claim. It doesn’t matter if you were driving your children to school or were riding as a passenger on a motorbike when it crashed, you might still be able to claim for injuries after a car accident.