Compensation is money awarded to someone who has been involved in an accident that wasn't their fault. It's a financial settlement that covers the costs and impacts of the resulting injury (or injuries), now and into the future. To be awarded compensation, you have to make a claim. That's where National Accident Helpline can help.
We've been helping people to start their compensation claims for over years_since years. We know the difference compensation can make to people who have suffered genuine injuries because of someone else's negligence or reckless behaviour. Money can't take away what you've been through but it can help you get back to some form of normality and ease your financial worries.
If you've suffered an injury because of someone else, we can help you take your first steps with a compensation claim. Get in touch with our friendly helpline advisors on today for free, no-obligation advice.
Rebecca Sear received £1,500
Everyone was brilliant and I was transferred to a solicitor straight away who kept me updated throughout the case
Can you make a compensation claim?
Can you make a compensation claim?
Compensation isn't just awarded to anyone who's been involved in an accident. To qualify and be able to start your compensation claim, you must have:
- Been involved in an accident in the last three years
- Experienced an accident or negligence caused by somebody else
- Suffered an injury, illness or multiple injuries because of the accident
Many people who get in touch with us are unsure whether they could make a compensation claim for their accident. This is completely understandable; it can seem like a complicated process and sometimes it's not always clear who's at fault.
The easiest way to find out is to get in touch with us on . Our friendly helpline advisors are here to help and can usually tell you on the same call whether we think you have the grounds for a successful compensation claim.
We'll never rush or pressure you into starting one. Instead, we'll listen to everything you have to say about your accident and take the time to truly understand how it's impacted you. Only then can we give you the best advice about next steps.
Can my compensation claim be no win no fee?
Can my compensation claim be no win no fee?
We take most compensation claims on a no win no fee basis. This service provides a low-risk way of making a claim and includes a no-upfront-cost insurance policy to protect you from having to pay any costs, as long as you stick to the terms of your agreement. With no upfront costs, you can focus on what's most important: getting the compensation you deserve.
If you win your case, you'll pay your legal team directly from your payout. Some lawyers advertise their fees at around 25% of your settlement amount, but there are often extra costs such as VAT and after the event legal expense insurance . The panel of lawyers we work with are honest and transparent with their fees and will explain all costs right at the start, so you won't get any nasty surprises. Our priority is that you aren't left out of pocket.
What's the time limit for a compensation claim?
What's the time limit for a compensation claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident or when your conditions were first diagnosed to start court proceedings or settle a compensation claim. This is called the 'limitation period'. If you're nearing the three-year deadline, call us on without delay to consider your options.
However, there are some exceptions to the standard limitation period, including:
- Issues of mental capacity: If the person injured in an accident lacks the 'mental capacity' to carry out their claim, this period won't begin until they regain it. This could be because of a pre-existing condition or the direct consequences of the accident. If they do regain mental capacity, the time limit then begins, even if they only regain it for a brief period of time. If mental capacity is never regained, there is no time limit and a 'litigation friend' can claim on their behalf at any point.
- Children: A parent or guardian can claim on behalf of a child at any point until their 18th birthday. If this isn't done, the child has until their 21st birthday to start court proceedings or settle a claim themselves.
How is the payout from a compensation claim calculated?
How is the payout from a compensation claim calculated?
The amount of compensation awarded following successful compensation claims varies from case to case. It usually comes down to a range of factors including the severity of your injuries, pain and suffering, the impact they've had on your life and the costs you've incurred as a result. Because of this, the figure you could receive is unique to you.
We can't tell you how exactly much before starting a claim with us. However, your legal team should be able to give you a better idea once you've told them more about you and your case. We'll match you with an expert from our nationwide panel of compensation claim specialists and they'll negotiate the settlement on your behalf.
If you want an estimation before getting in touch with us or starting your claim, feel free to use our compensation calculator. It's based on the compensation guidelines, which we explore below.
What are the compensation guidelines for personal injury claims?
What are the compensation guidelines for personal injury claims?
The Judicial College, a department of the Ministry of Justice, sets the compensation guidelines for personal injury cases in the UK. These outline the standard amounts that can be awarded for different types of compensation claims.
The guidelines are revised and updated regularly to reflect changes in legislation. Amounts vary by injury type, location and severity. Your solicitor will use the latest edition of the guidelines to inform the expected compensation amount for your claim.
| Injury | Guide amount |
| Minor brain or head injury | £2,070 - £11,980 |
| Fractured cheekbone | £2,180 - £9,570 |
| Mild tinnitus to total deafness | £10,040 - £87,410 |
| Serious shoulder injury | £11,980 - £18,020 |
| Back injury causing permanent symptoms | £11,730 - £26,050 |
| Hip or pelvis injury | £3,710 - £24,950 |
| Fractured forearm | £6,190 - £18,020 |
| Wrist injury | £3,310 - £44,690 |
| Hernia | £3,180 - £13,970 |
| Ankle injury | £12,900 - £46,980 |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | £3,710 - £56,180 |
How does the compensation claim process work?
How does the compensation claim process work?
Starting a compensation claim can be daunting but we're here to support you. Here's a brief outline of the process with National Accident Helpline:
- The first step is to contact our helpline for a free, no-obligation consultation. One of our advisors will talk through your situation to determine if you can make a claim.
- If your claim is valid, you'll be connected to one of our partner specialist solicitor firms, who will discuss your case with you. They'll explain the process and outline the next steps. Remember, there is no pressure to pursue your claim at this stage if it's not the right path for you.
- If you're happy to proceed, your legal team will set up any insurance policies you might need without any upfront costs. This will provide peace of mind should your claim fail to be successful.
- Your legal team will manage the gathering of evidence and negotiations, so all you have to do is concentrate on your recovery.
Take the first step by calling us on to or complete our online form, and we'll support you at every stage of your claim.
What are the different types of compensation claims?
What are the different types of compensation claims?
If it feels wrong, we're here to help you make it right - no matter the type of accident you've been caught up in.
Some compensation claims are more common than others but we've helped people get the compensation they deserve for all kinds of accidents. If yours happened in the last three years and wasn't your fault, we may be able to help.
Find out more about the main types of compensation claims by clicking on the links below:
Small claims personal injury and whiplash law changes
Small claims personal injury and whiplash law changes
Regulatory updates relating to small personal injury claims were introduced on 31st May 2021. These affect claims relating to road traffic accidents and whiplash.
The updates include a government tariff for whiplash claims, which aims to ensure that the level of compensation is linked to the duration of the injury.
- The small claims general damages limit has risen for road traffic accident injuries from £1,000 to £5,000.
- Compensation for soft tissue and whiplash injury claims is now fixed, banded by severity and lower than before.
- People can no longer recover their legal costs from the other side in a small claim. These will now be deducted from compensation awards up to £5,000.
- Some other minor road traffic accident injuries - like simple fractures - are now classed as small claims.
- People now have the option to make a small road traffic accident claim themselves online, without using a solicitor. The complexity surrounding valuing claims makes this risky and it can result in a lengthy process.
Before these new regulatory updates came into place, the Association of British Insurers reported that there were more than 1,500 whiplash claims made in the UK every day. This cost the insurance industry more than £2 billion a year and added £90 to the average annual motor insurance premium.
However, these changes in the regulations do not apply to all personal injury claims. Vulnerable road users, such as cyclists or pedestrians, will not be affected by these updates. The rules also do not apply when claiming for accidents in public, accidents at work and medical negligence.
How long does a compensation claim take?
How long does a compensation claim take?
There's no simple answer to how long the compensation claims process could take. Each case is unique and timelines usually depend on several factors, including:
- The complexity of your case and severity of your injuries
- How easy it is to gather the evidence needed to support your claim
- How quickly you provide evidence and cooperate with your legal team
- Whether the identity of the other side is known
- Whether the other party accepts liability
- Whether the claim needs to go to court
Your legal team will keep you up to date at every stage of the process, so you'll have a good idea of how your claim is progressing.
Why make a compensation claim with National Accident Helpline?
Why make a compensation claim with National Accident Helpline?
We understand that you might be hesitant about starting a compensation claim. After all, you've already been through a lot. However, we aim to make the claims process as easy and hassle-free as possible. Here are some more reasons to choose us:
- We're registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which sets the standard for solicitors in England and Wales.
- The legal teams we connect you with are regulated by the Law Society in England and Wales or the Law Society of Scotland.
- We've received thousands of 'Excellent' reviews on Trustpilot, each compensation claim having started with a situation like yours.
Get in touch to talk about your compensation claim
Calling us doesn't mean you're expected to start a claim. We'll take the time to understand you and your case, then advise you on the best course of action. The decision to move forward is always yours.
If you qualify and want to start a compensation claim, we'll put you in contact with an expert from our nationwide panel of specialists. Call or request a call back below and we'll give you a ring.