If you've been injured in a car park due to an accident that wasn't your fault, you could be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Car Park Accident Claims
If you’ve had an accident in a car park because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a car park accident claim. This could include compensation for physical pain and suffering, damage to your vehicle and any related financial losses.
Slips, trips, and falls, collisions, or criminal assaults are some of the most common types of accidents that can happen in a car park. The liable person might be another driver, a pedestrian or a car park operator.
To find out if you are eligible to make a claim, enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 470 0472 to speak to a legal advisor. They will explain how we can help and answer any questions you may have about the claims process.
Key points about car park accident claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you were injured in a car park due to unsafe surfaces or driver negligence.
- Responsibility: Claims can be made against other drivers or the car park owner depending on the cause of the accident.
- Time Limit: Claims must usually be started within 3 years of the accident date. For children, the time limit only begins on their 18th birthday.
- Compensation: Depends on the type and severity of injury, emotional distress, and financial losses.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will pursue your claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay them a fee if you win compensation.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a car park accident claim?
You may be eligible to make a car park accident claim if you suffered an injury in the last three years and:
- Another party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached their duty by acting negligently.
- Their negligence caused your accident and injury.
Keep in mind that you may be entitled to claim even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, this would be classed as contributory negligence, which may lead to a reduced compensation award.
Contact our friendly legal advisors to discuss your claim today.
Who might be liable for a car park accident?
Depending on the type of car park accident you had, various parties might hold responsibility:
- Another road user – Another driver, cyclist or pedestrian who breached the Highway Code or the Road Traffic Act 1988 and acted recklessly or negligently.
- The car park owner or operator – Car park operators have a duty under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to maintain safe premises. They may be liable for:
- Slips, trips, and falls due to uneven surfaces, potholes or spillages.
- Accidents caused by faulty barriers or equipment.
- Lack of winter gritting.
- Injuries from debris, broken glass or poor lighting.
- Another individual – Unfortunately, you can easily fall victim to a violent or sexual assault in a car park. In such cases, you could make a compensation claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
How long do I have to claim for an accident in a car park?
Usually, you will have three years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury compensation claim. There are a few exceptions:
- Child injury claims can be made by a parent or legal guardian at any point. After turning 18, they can pursue a claim on their own for another three years.
- The time limit is usually paused, and a litigation friend can claim car park accident compensation on behalf of a victim who lacks mental capacity at any time while they are incapacitated.
- If you suffered an injury after an assault in a car park, you could make a claim through the CICA, which usually must be made within two years of the attack.
What to do if you are injured in a car park accident?
If you suffered an injury in a car park, there are some essential steps that you should take to gather relevant proof that will make your claim much easier:
- Seek prompt medical attention – your medical records will be essential to start a claim.
- Take photos of the accident scene, any hazards, the damage to your vehicle and your injuries.
- Exchange details with the other driver if you collided with another vehicle.
- Ask for the contact information of any witnesses.
- If any CCTV cameras or dash cams captured the accident, ask for a copy of the footage.
- Report the accident to the car park operator and ask for a copy of the accident report.
- Report the accident to the police within 24 hours, if applicable.
- Write down the details of the accident and the impact on your life.
- Keep proof of all expenses you incurred as a result of the car park accident.
How much compensation can I claim for a car park injury?
The amount of compensation you deserve depends on the injuries you sustained and how they affected your life. Your solicitor will consider two types of damages to calculate a suitable compensation for a car park accident:
- Special damages cover all your financial losses, such as private treatments, travel expenses, care costs, loss of earnings and damaged property.
- General damages cover the physical and mental suffering caused by your injuries, as well as loss of amenity.
The compensation award depends on the type of injuries you incurred and their severity, and is assessed by referring to the Judicial College Guidelines (18th Edition). There are only to be used as an estimate – the value of your claim will depend on your specific circumstances.
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Moderate brain damage likely to affect the senses, with some dependence on others | £57,000 - £289,000 |
| Back Injuries | Back injuries causing chronic conditions and permanent disabilities | £51,000 - £92,000 |
| Leg Injuries | A leg fracture or soft tissue injury causing some permanent issues, such as impaired mobility or a limp | £24,000 - £37,000 |
| Arm Injuries | A simple forearm fracture | £8,700 - £25,000 |
| Neck Injuries | A moderate neck injury that may have accelerated or worsened a pre-existing condition | £10,000 - £18,000 |
| Shoulder Injuries | A moderate shoulder injury with limited movement and discomfort for more than two years | £10,000 - £17,000 |
| Scarring To Other Parts Of The Body | One noticeable scar or several superficial scars on the legs, arms or hands | £3,100 - £10,000 |
| Whiplash (After 31 May 2025) | A whiplash injury lasting 12-15 months | In the region of £2,335 |
Can I claim compensation for a car park accident on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes, if you have a valid claim, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement. This means you will not have to pay any legal charges upfront or any fees at all if your car park accident claim is unsuccessful.
You will only have to pay a success fee to your solicitor if your claim is successful. The fee cannot exceed 25% of the compensation amount for past financial losses and your injuries, and you will agree upon it before starting the claim.
What are the most common examples of car park accident compensation claims?
Some of the most common car park accidents include:
- Car accident claims resulting from crashes with a parked car or another moving vehicle.
- Pedestrians hit by moving vehicles due to a lack of visibility or dedicated walkways.
- Slips, trips and falls caused by potholes, slippery surfaces or poor lighting.
- Injuries caused by falling items or debris, such as loose signage or broken glass.
- Vehicle door accidents can happen when a car door is opened unexpectedly.
- Physical and sexual assaults in dark or secluded car parks.
What types of injuries can be sustained in car park accidents?
Accidents in car parks could cause you to suffer minor injuries to very severe trauma, such as:
- Bruises and lacerations – These can be minor annoyances that do not need much treatment or deep injuries that need stitches.
- Sprains and strains – They are frequent in slips, trips and low-speed collisions and may cause pain, bruising, swelling and reduced mobility.
- Whiplash – Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a forceful and sudden movement of the head, causing pain and stiffness, headaches, fatigue or other neurological issues.
- Back injuries – Signs of a back injury include pain and tenderness, stiffness or difficulty moving, muscle spasm, difficulty standing up straight and leg pain.
- Broken bones – Bone fractures are caused by severe trauma due to falls or vehicle collisions and may cause swelling, tenderness and immobility.
- Head injuries – Head injuries range from mild bumps and bruises to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), causing headaches, nausea, vomiting, memory and concentration problems and even paralysis.
Can I claim compensation for a hit and run car park accident?
Yes, you can still claim compensation if a driver hits you in a car park and leaves the scene, committing a hit and run offence.
If an accident occurs in a car park, both parties must stop and exchange details, just as in other road traffic accident claims. Failing to do so is considered a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
You can claim compensation for a hit and run accident in a car park through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). If the other driver cannot be found or does not have insurance, the MIB will pay you compensation, just like a regular insurance company.
If you were involved in a car park accident and want to start a compensation claim, call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back. A personal injury solicitor will offer you a free case assessment and guide you through the car park accident claims process.
