Jessica Thrower
Legal
Who can I claim against?
The person that a claim is bought against is known as the Defendant.
Who the Defendant is will depend on the type of accident you have had and where you had it.
We set out in the table below the likely Defendants to a Claim.
| Accident Type/Location | Likely Defendant |
| Driver of a motor vehicle in a road Traffic Accident | Driver of another vehicle |
| Passenger of a motor vehicle | Driver of the vehicle you are in or driver of another vehicle if they are to blame |
| Pedestrian in a Road Traffic Accident
|
Driver of vehicle if they are to blame. |
| Cyclist in a Road Traffic Accident
|
Driver of vehicle if they are to blame. |
| Trip on a pavement in the street | Local Highways Authority which is usually the local Council |
| Slip in a shop.
|
The occupier of the shop i.e such as a supermarket chain. |
| Fall on a driveway of a house.
|
The occupier or owner of the house |
| Accident at work
|
Usually your employer |
| Accident on a building site | This could be your employer or potentially the main contractor. |
| Bitten by a Dog | The owner of the dog
|
Related insights
Jessica Thrower
Sophie Williamson
Holly Minney, Head of Dispute Resolution, said:
“As part of the process of acting for you in a personal injury claim, we will research and determine who the Defendant to your claim will be.”