You’re walking to work on a cold winter morning when the ground gives way beneath your feet. In a second you’re on the floor and in pain. It’s a moment that happens to thousands of people every year. Slippery pavements, icy car parks and poor driving conditions make winter one of the most dangerous times to travel.
When an accident like this happens, it can leave you wondering who’s responsible and whether you can claim compensation. If a responsible party failed to take reasonable care to keep you safe, you may be entitled to make a winter travel injury claim for your injuries and losses.
We’ll explain what counts as a winter travel injury, who may be liable, what evidence matters and how to make a claim. We’ll also guide you on our no win, no fee service so you can move forward with confidence.
What counts as a winter travel injury claim?
Winter accidents can happen anywhere you travel when the weather turns cold. Snow, ice and rain create conditions that make slips, trips and collisions far more likely. A winter travel injury claim covers many types of incidents, including:
- Slipping on icy pavements or ungritted steps
- Falling in a car park or transport hub made unsafe by poor maintenance
- Road collisions caused by snow or ice when roads were not treated
- Accidents in workplaces where winter risks weren’t managed properly
Bad weather alone is not a defence. What matters is whether someone responsible failed to take reasonable care. That could be a council that didn’t grit a busy walkway, a shop owner who ignored a wet entrance, or an employer who failed to keep outdoor areas safe.
This comes down to two key factors:
- Duty of care, which means a person or organisation must take reasonable steps to prevent harm.
- Negligence, which means they failed in that duty and you were injured as a result.
If you’ve been injured because someone didn’t take those precautions, you could be entitled to seasonal injury compensation. Beyond ice slip claims, this includes many other winter travel hazards that affect people across the UK every year.
Common winter travel hazards and where they happen
Cold weather creates risks in many places. Knowing how and where accidents happen can help you stay safe and know for certain when you have a valid claim. Common winter travel hazards include:
- Slips, trips and falls on icy pavements, station platforms, steps and car parks
- Road traffic accidents caused by snow, ice or poor road maintenance
- Public transport incidents at bus stops, train platforms or stations
- Falling ice or snow from roofs or tall buildings
- Work-related accidents when employers fail to manage cold weather risks
For example:
- A pedestrian slips on an ungritted council pavement outside a train station
- A driver skids on black ice where gritting duty by a council failed to treat the road
- A commuter falls at a slippery bus stop due to poor maintenance
These situations can lead to serious injuries and missed work. When a local authority, business or employer fails to act responsibly, it may give rise to public liability winter claims or a snow injury claim depending on the circumstances.
Who could be liable for a winter travel injury
When a winter accident happens, responsibility depends on who was meant to keep the area safe. Several parties can be held legally liable depending on where and how the incident occurred.
Local councils and highway authorities
- Have a duty under the Highways Act 1980 to take reasonable steps to keep pavements and roads safe
- Must have a clear system for gritting and treating priority routes, as this helps manage liability for icy pavements and roads
- Are not expected to remove every trace of ice, but they must act when conditions are known to be dangerous
- Can defend claims if they can show they followed a reasonable gritting plan
Businesses and property owners
- Have a duty under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors
- Must maintain car parks, paths and entrances in safe condition during cold weather
- Could face a winter accident compensation claim if someone slips because they failed to grit or clear snow
- Are also responsible for warning visitors about icy or wet conditions when hazards can’t be removed
Employers and transport operators
- Must protect staff and passengers under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- Should manage winter risks such as icy depot yards, unsafe boarding areas or unlit car parks
- Are expected to provide proper footwear guidance and maintenance plans for winter safety
- Clearing snow carefully does not make someone automatically liable, despite common myths
If you’re unsure who was responsible for your accident, our experienced solicitors can review the details and explain your options clearly.
Evidence and steps to take after a winter accident
After any winter accident, collecting evidence quickly can make a big difference to your claim. Clear proof helps show what happened, where it happened and who was responsible. Useful winter accident evidence includes:
- Photos of the scene, the surface and the weather conditions
- Witness details in case statements are needed later
- CCTV footage from nearby shops or transport hubs before it’s deleted
- Medical records to confirm your injuries and treatment
- Incident reports made to the council, business or employer involved
If your accident happened at work, your employer may need to report it under RIDDOR, which is the official system for recording workplace injuries.
You should also:
- Get medical attention even for minor injuries so they are properly documented
- Keep receipts for travel costs, medication or treatment
- Contact a solicitor as soon as possible to protect your position and gather time-sensitive evidence
Our legal team can help you make a claim for an ice injury and ensure all the right information is collected from the start.
What compensation covers in winter injury claims
If your claim is successful, you can receive compensation to help you recover and move forward. The amount depends on how serious your injuries are and how they affect your life. Winter injury compensation can cover:
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- Special damages for financial losses such as lost earnings, medical bills or travel costs
- Future expenses if your injury affects your ability to work or needs long-term care
Many people worry about legal fees, but our no win, no fee agreement means you won’t pay anything upfront. You only pay if your claim succeeds, and the costs are agreed before you start.
Time limits for seasonal injury claims
In most cases, you have up to three years from the date of your accident to start your claim. This rule comes from the Limitation Act 1980, which sets time limits for all personal injury claims in the UK.
There are some exceptions:
- Children can claim up to three years after their 18th birthday
- People who lack mental capacity may have longer if they are not able to manage their own affairs
- Fatal accidents usually allow three years from the date of death or from when the cause is known
Starting early is always best. Evidence is easier to collect, and witnesses are more likely to remember key details.
Our team can explain the time limit for a winter injury claim that applies to your situation and help you take the right steps in time.
Getting help after a winter travel injury
Many winter accidents can be prevented with proper care and maintenance. When others fail to take those steps, the law gives you the right to claim compensation. Whether you slipped on an icy pavement, fell in a car park or were hurt while travelling, we can help.
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we specialise in helping people make winter accident compensation claims with confidence. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your rights in plain English and guide you through every stage of the process.
We’ve helped people recover compensation for a wide range of cold weather injuries, from broken bones after a fall to soft tissue damage and long-term pain.
Our service is no win, no fee, which means you don’t pay anything upfront and only pay if your claim is successful.
If you’ve been injured in icy or snowy conditions, contact our friendly team today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you receive the support and justice you deserve.
FAQs about winter travel injury claims
Can I claim if I slipped on ice outside a shop or station?
Yes. If the area was not reasonably gritted or made safe, you may be able to claim against the shop owner, occupier or local council responsible for maintaining it.
Who pays compensation for winter travel accidents?
Compensation is usually paid by the insurer of the person or organisation found to be negligent, such as a council, employer or property owner.
What if bad weather made the accident unavoidable?
If the weather was truly unavoidable and all reasonable steps were taken, there may be no liability. However, most claims depend on whether the responsible party acted reasonably to prevent harm.
How long do winter travel injury claims take?
Straightforward claims can settle within a few months once liability is accepted. More complex cases, such as those involving serious injury or multiple parties, can take longer to resolve.