An executive said he was offered a mere £35 in compensation after he was “almost killed” in a road traffic accident on the M4. 32-year-old Florian Pedemanaud had been in a minicab when the crash happened, leaving him covered in cuts and bruises. He said he contacted the private hire firm Uber after the accident happened, where he was offered an apology and a fare refund of £35.

Mr Pedemanaud, a French executive for a beauty brand in Dubai, had stopped in London for a business trip before heading to a family holiday. He had previously lived in the UK for eight years. He said that he realised that the taxi driver was driving erratically before the accident happened, and was about to make a complaint to the company online when the car crashed.

He claims he has no recollection of the crash happening, but mobile phone footage he took after getting out the vehicle shows the taxi wedged between a barrier and another car. Mr Pedemanaud was told he was lucky to have escaped with such minor injuries.

“surely there’s compensation?”

Mr Pedemanaud had been travelling to Heathrow Airport when the accident happened, but was picked up by a lady who passed the crash, Lucia Chilcott. She stated: “This attitude from Uber, the £35 refund - surely there's compensation? He was injured and very traumatised, he was in deep shock and cried the whole way.”

An Uber spokesperson stated that an investigation is currently being carried out.

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.