Petrol Station Accident Claims

The UK is home to over 8,000 petrol stations, which are essential to ensure people can refuel their vehicles. They are typically safe places to visit, but accidents can occasionally occur, especially at peak hours. These include slips, trips and falls, car collisions, criminal assaults and exposure to chemicals.

Petrol station operators must adhere to strict safety regulations to prevent accidents and injuries to employees, customers and visitors. A failure to do so could be deemed as negligence and entitle you to make a petrol station accident claim.

To find out if you can claim compensation for an accident at a petrol station, call 0800 470 0474 or use our contact form to request a call back. You will receive a free case assessment from a friendly legal adviser who will answer all your questions.

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Table of Contents

• Duty of care of petrol stations to customers and visitors
• Duty of care of petrol stations towards their employees
• Types of negligence that could lead to a petrol station accident
• Am I eligible to make a petrol station accident claim?
• What evidence do I need to support my personal injury claim?
• What injuries could you suffer at a petrol station?
• Could I lose my job if I make a claim for an accident at work?
• What is the time limit to start a compensation claim?
• How much compensation can I claim for an accident at a petrol station?
• Can I make a No Win No Fee petrol station injury claim?

Duty of care of petrol stations to customers and visitors

Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, petrol station owners and occupiers have a legal duty to ensure their premises are safe for all visitors. They must take the following steps to prevent accidents and injuries:

• Regularly inspect and maintain the premises to ensure they are safe;
• Promptly fix any hazards, defects or damage that could pose a risk for injury, such as uneven surfaces, broken equipment or spills;
• Use clear, visible signs to warn visitors of any potential hazards, such as spills or wet floors;
• Make sure there is proper lighting and clear visibility in all areas;
• Ensure all equipment, such as fuel pumps, air compressors, and car wash facilities, are in good working order and safe to use;
• Make sure that all equipment has appropriate safety features, such as automatic shut-off mechanisms on fuel pumps;
• Have procedures in place for handling emergencies like fires, chemical spills and other incidents.

If you were involved in an accident at a petrol station due to a breach of these duties, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

Duty of care of petrol stations towards their employees

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, petrol stations also have a duty of care to ensure their employees’ health, safety, and welfare while at work by taking the following measures:

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace and take measures to eliminate or mitigate the identified risks;
• Ensure that the working environment is clean, tidy, and free from hazards such as spills or obstructions;
• Maintain all equipment and machinery in good working order and ensure it meets safety standards;
• Provide comprehensive training for employees on how to perform their duties safely;
• Supply necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing;
• Develop and communicate clear emergency procedures for incidents like fires, spills, or accidents;
• Implement a system for employees to promptly report hazards, near misses, and accidents.

If you were involved in any type of accident and suffered injuries due to a breach of these duties, you may be eligible to make a work accident claim.

Types of negligence that could lead to a petrol station accident

Various types of negligence could lead to accidents in petrol stations, including:

• Damaged or faulty petrol pump nozzles and other equipment
• Failure to clean spillages on the forecourt
• Failure to inform visitors of hazards such as wet floors or potholes
• Not providing adequate training to employees on safe work practices
• Improper storage of hazardous materials like fuel or chemicals
• Inadequate lighting in pump stations, walkways or parking lots
• Failure to maintain pavements, walkways or driveways
• Not having clear procedures in place for emergencies such as fires
• Failing to provide adequate security to prevent criminal activities

These and other types of negligence can lead to various patrol station accidents for which you may be able to claim personal injury compensation.

Am I eligible to make a petrol station accident claim?

You might be eligible for compensation if you were injured at a petrol station. The easiest way to find out if you have a valid petrol station accident claim is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. As a general rule, you can make a personal injury claim if you answer yes to the following questions:

• Did the defendant owe you a legal duty of care?
• Did they breach this duty by being negligent in some way?
• Did their negligence cause an accident to happen?
• Did you suffer harm as a result?

Your solicitor will prove a duty of care and liability based on the legislation mentioned above. Once these are established, they will contact the other party and begin to negotiate compensation for your injuries. If the defendant is unresponsive or denies liability, your solicitor will be prepared to take your case to court. However, this scenario is unlikely, as more than 95% of claims, including those for petrol station accidents, settle without a trial.

What evidence do I need to support my personal injury claim?

If you want to make a petrol station injury claim following an accident, you will need various types of evidence to show what happened, such as:

• Photos of the accident scene taken before anything is moved or repaired;
• Pictures of your injuries and recovery process;
• If available, CCTV footage or videos of the accident can provide clear evidence of what happened;
• A copy of an accident report filed with the petrol station owner or operator will prove the date, time and location of the incident;
• Medical records will prove the type and severity of the injuries you sustained as a result of the accident, the treatments you received and their long-term consequences;
• A copy of a police report if you were the victim of a violent act;
• Your testimony about how you suffered an injury in a petrol station and how this has affected your life;
• Statements from witnesses can help corroborate your version of the events;
• You must also be able to prove all the losses and expenses related to the accident, so make sure to keep all relevant receipts and invoices.

What injuries could you suffer at a petrol station?

An accident in a petrol station forecourt or shop can lead to various injuries, including:

• Burns and scalds can be due to direct contact with fuel or other harmful chemicals, hot surfaces or accidents involving fire;
• Cuts and lacerations can result from broken glass, sharp edges on dispensers or other equipment and may result in permanent scars;
• You can suffer broken bones and dislocations from slips, trips and falls or being struck by heavy objects;
• Head injuries can be due to falling on the pavement, physical altercations or being hit by falling objects and can result in severe brain trauma;
• Back and neck injuries often affect employees following repetitive movements or lifting heavy objects but can also be caused by falls;
• Inhaling fumes from petrol or other chemicals can cause respiratory problems, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, or more severe harm;
• Eye injuries can be due to contact with fuel or other chemicals, foreign objects or criminal assaults and can result in permanent damage;
• Faulty electrical wiring or contact with exposed electrical components can result in electrocution, causing severe injury or even death;
• Crush injuries can be due to being pinned between vehicles, machinery or other heavy objects and can result in significant damage to muscles, bones and internal organs;
• Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains can be due to slips and trips, falls, manual handling and awkward movements;
• Experiencing or witnessing a severe accident at a petrol station can also lead to psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If your injuries were due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a petrol station accident claim.

Could I lose my job if I make a claim for an accident at work?

If you had a petrol station accident at work due to your employer’s negligence, you are entitled to claim compensation without fear of retaliation. Unfair dismissal laws in the UK prevent them from sacking you simply because you made a claim for an injury sustained at work. Furthermore, they cannot force you to leave your job against your will by taking drastic measures such as:

• Not paying you
• Demoting you for no reason
• Make unreasonable changes to your work schedule
• Harass you or let other employees bully you

If you suffer any retribution following an accident at work claim, an employer lawyer can help you start a further claim at an employment tribunal. The tribunal may order your employer to reinstate you or compensate you as it sees fit.

What is the time limit to start a compensation claim?

The time limit to start a petrol station compensation claim is three years following your accident. Alternatively, the three years may begin from the date you became aware of the injury and its connection to your accident. There are several exceptions:

• If your child suffered an injury at a petrol station, you can start a child injury claim at any time before their 18th birthday.
• If the injured party cannot start a claim due to PTSD or a temporary brain injury, the time limit is put on hold until they are able to do so.
• If the claimant cannot start legal proceedings due to a pre-existing condition such as dementia or Down syndrome, there is no time limit for a litigation friend to claim on their behalf.
• If you suffered injuries due to a criminal assault, you have two years to claim compensation through the CICA.

As with any other claim, the sooner you speak with a personal injury solicitor, the better your chance of receiving compensation is likely to be. By starting the claims process sooner, evidence will be easier to collect, and you and any witnesses will be more likely to remember any crucial details about the incident. Furthermore, your solicitor may be able to secure interim payments to cover any pressing financial needs.

How much compensation can I claim for an accident at a petrol station?

The compensation amount you may be eligible to claim will depend on your specific losses. Your solicitor will strive to secure the maximum payment on your behalf by including two types of damages in your claim:

Special damages compensate for the financial losses and expenses incurred because of the accident, such as:

• Medical expenses like hospital stays, surgeries and medication
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• The income lost due to the inability to work during recovery
• Future lost earnings if the injury affects your ability to work long-term
• Travel costs related to medical appointments and treatment
• The cost of care and assistance needed during recovery

General damages compensate for the non-monetary aspects of the injury, such as:

• Physical pain and discomfort
• Emotional and psychological impacts
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inability to participate in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed
• Scarring and disfigurement

Special damages are calculated based on evidence, such as receipts and invoices. General damages are based on the type and severity of the harm you suffered. You can refer to our injury compensation calculator to learn more about the compensation you deserve.

Can I make a No Win No Fee petrol station injury claim?

If you were injured in a petrol station and have a valid claim for compensation, you can pursue it without financial risk. Your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee* agreement, which means that:

• You do not have to pay any legal fees at the start of your claim, as they will take on the risk of litigation. This makes legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
• If your personal injury claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay a single penny to your solicitor.
• If you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation as their success fee. This fee is typically capped at 25% of the total settlement.

Your solicitor may also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance to cover the costs associated with making a claim. If you lose, the ATE will ensure you are not left out of pocket by covering the following:

• Court fees
• The cost of expert testimony
• Medical and police reports
• The defendant’s legal costs and expenses
• Paralegal and other staff time
• Barrister fees if the case goes to court

If you had an accident at a petrol station and are considering making a claim for compensation, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back to discuss your case with a legal adviser. They will be able to explain your legal options in detail, ensuring you can make an informed decision.

Last edited on 18th Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.