Serious injury to pedestrian in road accident could lead to months off work and serious financial hardship: will compensation be available and what can be done to alleviate immediate money problems?

My partner was knocked over by a car whilst crossing a road. He was thrown in the air and bounced off the bonnet (not sure of the sequence). The driver stopped and got out, spoke to some of the crowd but did not speak to my partner. The police arrived - presumably they took details - followed by the ambulance which took him to the nearest large hospital. He was diagnosed with a fractured acetabulum (the socket bone of the hip joint - really serious) which would be looked at the following Monday when the pelvic specialist was due back. On the Friday of that week he had to undergo an op for a pin to be inserted in his (perfectly good undamaged) leg for traction. The following Wednesday major op (est time 8 hrs) to pin his bits of acetablum to a metal plate. He came home last Thursday - over three weeks in hospital. He's not allowed to put any weight on the affected side, so is on crutches. He won't be able to drive for about three months. His surgeon advised him it would be six to twelve months before he can work again in his normal job - he's a handyman. He also spends as much time as possible surfing or riding his motorbike, so quality of life will also be affected. The accident was covered twice in local paper as the council have not provided the promised crossing and many feel this was an accident waiting to happen. I hope you can help. His employer doesn't realise how long he'll be off work, but they only pay basic SSP anyway.