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Taxi Accident Claims UK

England & WalesLast reviewed 18 September 2026

A taxi or private hire passenger injured in a crash can claim from the insurer of whichever driver was at fault, often the taxi's own insurer if the taxi driver caused it. Not wearing a seat belt where one is required can reduce your compensation, subject to the regulations' exemptions.

Who Is Liable

Direct Answer: The passenger claims against whoever caused the crash: the taxi driver's insurer if the taxi driver was at fault, or the other driver's insurer if they were, and sometimes both share responsibility.

Taxis and private hire vehicles must have insurance covering carrying passengers for hire and reward. That insurance responds to passenger injury claims, so the claim is dealt with by the insurer, not the individual driver's pocket. If an app-based operator was involved, the vehicle's own insurance is still the starting point, and it can be worth asking the operator for its trip records.

Seat Belts and Contributory Negligence

Passengers are generally required to wear a seat belt where one is fitted, subject to the exemptions in the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993, so it is worth checking whether an exemption applied to your seat. If you were not wearing a required belt, a court can reduce your damages by a percentage that reflects whether the belt would have prevented or lessened your injuries, following the long-established approach in Froom v Butcher. The reduction depends on the medical evidence in your case.

What to Do After the Accident

Steps that protect the claim:

  • Note the taxi's plate number, licence badge and the driver's name
  • Keep your booking or receipt (an app record shows the journey)
  • Photograph the vehicles and get witness details
  • Get medical attention and keep records of every symptom

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim if I was a passenger in a taxi?

Yes, if the crash was caused by someone's negligence. You claim against the insurer of the at-fault driver, whether that is the taxi driver or another motorist.

Does it matter that I booked through an app?

Not usually to the legal claim, since the at-fault driver's insurer still pays. Your booking record is helpful evidence of the journey, and can help identify the driver and vehicle.

What if I wasn't wearing a seat belt?

You can still claim, but the other side may argue contributory negligence and your damages could be reduced, depending on whether the belt would have prevented or reduced your injuries.

What if the taxi driver was not insured properly?

The Motor Insurers' Bureau may compensate you if the driver had no valid insurance, subject to its agreements' conditions, including a passenger's knowledge that the vehicle was uninsured.

Is whiplash from a taxi crash under the tariff?

Often yes, for whiplash injuries up to two years and the low-value threshold. Check the current tariff on our whiplash guide, since accidents from 31 May 2025 use the uplifted figures.

Can I make a taxi accident claim on a no win no fee basis?

Usually, yes, if a solicitor thinks the claim has reasonable prospects. Under a Conditional Fee Agreement you pay no solicitor fees if the claim loses, and if it wins a success fee is deducted from your damages, capped at 25% of general damages and past losses in personal injury cases. Low-value whiplash claims through the OIC portal work differently, so ask about costs before you start.

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Where this applies: This page covers England and Wales. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different.

Sources for this page

Every rule stated above is based on the primary sources below. Each link goes to the legislation, court rule or regulator itself so you can check it. Last verified 18 September 2026.

  1. Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, s.58 (conditional fee agreements)

    The provision that makes CFAs lawful and enforceable. CFAs derive from this section, not from LASPO.

  2. Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, arts. 4–5 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Art. 4 caps the success fee at 100% of base costs. Art. 5 caps what may be taken from damages in personal injury at 25% of PSLA plus past pecuniary loss, net of CRU, at first instance.

  3. Civil Procedure Rules, Part 44 (incl. rr.44.13–44.17, QOCS)

    Qualified one-way costs shifting and its exceptions. Rule 44.14 was amended with effect from 6 April 2023.

  4. Road Traffic Act 1988, s.143 (compulsory insurance)

    It is an offence to use, or cause or permit another to use, a motor vehicle on a road without insurance covering third-party liability.

  5. Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/176)

    Sets who must wear a seat belt. Not wearing one when required can lead to a reduction in damages for contributory negligence.

  6. Motor Insurers' Bureau — making a claim (Uninsured and Untraced Drivers Agreements)

    The MIB is funded by the motor insurance industry and compensates victims of uninsured drivers (Uninsured Drivers Agreement 2015, accidents from 1 August 2015) and untraced drivers (Untraced Drivers Agreement 2017, accidents from 1 March 2017). The agreements set strict notice and application deadlines; read the current agreement or take advice.

  7. Limitation Act 1980, s.11 (personal injury actions)

    Three years from the date of the accident or the date of knowledge. Property damage such as a damaged vehicle is a separate claim with a longer six-year period under s.2.

Who wrote and checked this page

Written and published by
Edward & Amaury Solicitors (Edward & Amaury Ltd, company no. 12195443), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 800525.
Legal review
Checked for England & Wales by Edward & Amaury Solicitors — Solicitors regulated by the SRA (no. 800525) (verify on the regulator’s register).Review is recorded against the firm. The individual reviewer is not named on this page.
Review dates
Last reviewed 18 September 2026. Next review due 18 March 2027.

Fee rules change. California’s medical malpractice fee limits changed on 1 January 2023, and the QOCS rules in England and Wales changed on 6 April 2023. If you spot something out of date, tell us — we publish corrections.

Think you have a claim? Find out for free.

Reading the rules is the first step. Most claims have strict deadlines, and evidence is easier to gather the sooner you act. Tell Edward & Amaury Solicitors what happened and get a free, no-obligation review of your situation.

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Where this applies: This page covers England and Wales. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different.

Sources for this page

Every rule stated above is based on the primary sources below. Each link goes to the legislation, court rule or regulator itself so you can check it. Last verified 2 August 2026.

  1. Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, s.58 (conditional fee agreements)

    The provision that makes CFAs lawful and enforceable. CFAs derive from this section, not from LASPO.

  2. Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, arts. 4–5 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Art. 4 caps the success fee at 100% of base costs. Art. 5 caps what may be taken from damages in personal injury at 25% of PSLA plus past pecuniary loss, net of CRU, at first instance.

  3. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, ss.44–46 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Ended recoverability of success fees and ATE premiums from the losing party. Did not create or regulate CFAs.

  4. Civil Procedure Rules, Part 44 (incl. rr.44.13–44.17, QOCS)

    Qualified one-way costs shifting and its exceptions. Rule 44.14 was amended with effect from 6 April 2023.

Who wrote and checked this page

Written and published by
Edward & Amaury Solicitors (Edward & Amaury Ltd, company no. 12195443), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 800525.
Legal review
This page has not yet been through independent legal review. It is written from the primary sources listed below, which you can check directly.
Review dates
Last reviewed 2 August 2026. Next review due 2 February 2027.

Fee rules change. California’s medical malpractice fee limits changed on 1 January 2023, and the QOCS rules in England and Wales changed on 6 April 2023. If you spot something out of date, tell us — we publish corrections.