Injury & accident claims

What types of accident claims could I be eligible for?

To work out if your accident could qualify for compensation, it's worth knowing what types you can claim for. If any of the following sound familiar and your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you could have grounds for a claim. But it's best to call us on to find out for certain. 

You could also claim on behalf of someone else if they've suffered the consequences of an accident that wasn't their fault. They could be a child or someone who lacks the mental capacity to claim for themselves.

These are some of the most common situations our accident claim experts handle regularly:

Road Traffic Accidents

Road traffic accidents  don't just involve drivers - you may also be eligible for compensation if you were injured as a cyclist, pedestrian, passenger or while on a motorcycle or public transport. Both major and minor car accidents can be incredibly distressing, no matter the circumstances.

Our friendly helpline advisors are here to settle your nerves, support you through the early stages of your claim and connect you with an expert from our nationwide panel of accident claim solicitors. Your legal team will then help you get the compensation you deserve.

Accidents in Public

If you've suffered a slip, trip or fall in a public place, it might not have been your fault. Business owners and local authorities are legally required to ensure your safety while on their premises, be that in a supermarket, on private property or somewhere else outside of your home.

Whether a wet floor, uneven pavement or another hazard was to blame, we can help you determine who's responsible. We'll also prepare your case ready to pursue an accident compensation claim.

Work Accident Claims

Accidents at work happen more than they should; 41% of Brit reported to have experienced at least one of the three most common workplace accidents in our latest survey. These events can leave you injured, worried and out of pocket.

If you've been involved in a work accident, whether in a warehouse, factory, construction site, or any other workplace, your employer may have failed to uphold their legal duty to provide a safe environment for you and your colleagues. The same goes if you have a long-term condition such as   directly caused by your occupation or if you had an injury in the military.

If your employer failed in their duty and this resulted in your injury, we can help you pursue compensation with an accident at work claim. It legally can't affect your job or the way your employer treats you. Contact us for impartial, expert legal advice on .

Other types of accidents and injuries

From burn injuries to hearing loss and broken bones, accident claims can cover a wide range of medical conditions and serious injuries. Injuries to the head and brain, neck, limbs and back are common and often more serious because of long-lasting effects on your physical and mental health.

Regardless of how or where you were injured, you may be able to claim accident compensation if it was caused by someone else's negligence. Get in touch to find out if you might have a claim and what the process looks like.

What is the average payout for injury accident claims?

Each case is pursued on an individual basis, so we can't give you an exact amount just yet. However, your compensation payout will depend on a few factors.

When you start an accident claim, your legal team will carefully assess how the injury or illness has affected you physically and emotionally. They'll also consider the broader impact your accident has had on your life and family. This ensures that your claim accounts for all aspects of your suffering caused by events that weren't your fault.

When calculating the level of accident compensation you may be entitled to, your legal team will consider:

• The pain and suffering caused by your injury
• The location, severity and duration of the injury
• The impact the injury has had on your daily life
• Lost earnings due to time off work
• Medical costs, including treatment, medication, and rehabilitation
• Care received, whether provided professionally or by family members
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses that you can provide proof of

The Judicial College sets the compensation guidelines for various types of accident claims, helping to ensure fairness and consistency. Below are examples from the latest edition of these guidelines.

Your legal team will be able to provide further information on compensation amounts when they hear more about the specific circumstances of your case. But for now, feel free to try our compensation calculator or an estimate of how much you could be entitled to.

Why make an accident claim?

You may need to take time off work after your injury, which could be a lengthy absence depending on the severity of your injuries. This can bring anxiety, money worries and further stress on top of everything else.

Time off is important for your recovery, and you shouldn't feel rushed into getting back to work before you're ready or able to. However, lost earnings can make it more difficult to give yourself the time you need. This is why accident compensation is so important.

Your legal team will aim to recover all your lost earnings and the costs you've incurred while you've been off work and building your accident claim. Compensation may also cover rehabilitation, medical expenses, transport costs and any modifications you've had to make to your home due to the injury.

Compensation isn't just significant for you; the act of raising a claim reinforces the justice system and can help inspire and protect others. You have the right to claim if you suffered injuries because of someone else's negligence. Those at fault should be held accountable and this can help prevent repeat accidents from happening to others. 

Not sure if you should make a claim? It's always worth talking to our friendly helpline advisors who can share more information to help you make an informed decision. 

How do I make an accident claim?

The first step is to find out if you're eligible to make a claim. You can fill out our callback form and we'll get in touch with you. Alternatively, ring our friendly helpline advisors on to discuss your circumstances. They'll give you more insight into whether you could be eligible to make an accident claim and talk you through the next steps if you'd like to continue.

With your permission, we'll then pair you with an accident claim expert from our nationwide panel of solicitors who has the experience to match your case. Your legal team will represent you throughout the claim and work to prove that the other party was at fault for your accident.  

They'll gather medical evidence, witness statements and more to build a robust case. Depending on what caused your injuries or illness, this may involve proving that:

• Safety inspections were neglected
• Pathways or aisles were not kept clear of hazards
• Laws or regulations were ignored or breached
• Negligence occurred, such as a driver not paying attention

With years of experience helping people to make it right, we're ready to help you. Our friendly helpline advisors can give you the guidance you need from the very start of your claim journey. Most claims can be made on a no win no fee basis to minimise your financial risk when claiming. We know you've been through enough, so we're here to provide peace of mind during this difficult time.

Find out more about no win no fee claims or contact us today on to learn more.

Is there a time limit on making an accident claim?

You generally have three years from the date of the incident or your diagnosis to make a claim for accident compensation. This is often referred to as the "limitation period". It's best to start proceedings as soon as possible while your memory is fresh and evidence is recent and easier to gather. 

In some cases, this time frame can be longer or shorter. For example, when claiming on behalf of children, you can claim at any point before the child's 18th birthday. They then have until age 21 to make their own claim if you haven't already.

Other limitation periods that could be relevant to an accident claim include:

• Mental capacity: There are no time limits for claims made on behalf of someone who doesn't have the 'mental capacity' to claim themselves. This could be following their accident and injuries (after a traumatic brain injury, for example) or other pre-existing circumstances. A litigation friend can act on their behalf if this is the case. However, if the person regains mental capacity (even temporarily), the limitation period begins once this happens.
• Fatal claims: If you're claiming on behalf of a loved one who has passed, you have three years from the date of their passing or the date you discovered an accident or illness was the cause.
• Accidents on boats or ships: After an accident on a cruise, ferry or cargo ship, you typically have two years from the date you left the vessel or from the date of injury.
• International flights: For accidents on international flights, you have two years from your arrival at the final destination, including incidents after passport control.
• Domestic flights: You must claim within two years of the flight landing.
• Accidents/illnesses abroad: Time limits vary by country, so please contact us as soon as possible to get specific information.

How long do accident claims usually take?

The time it takes to process and settle an accident claim in the UK can vary significantly. Timelines are often determined by how complex your case is, which can be determined by the type, severity and circumstances of your injuries or illness. You must also account for the time it takes to gather all the necessary evidence to build your case.

Some accident claims have to contend with factors such as whether the identity of the other side is known and if they admit liability. Disputes can draw out the process and add months to the overall timeline. There's no general rule of thumb, just the specific circumstances of your case.

Why choose National Accident Helpline for accident claims?

Coming to terms with the consequences of an accident that could have been avoided is difficult. We're here to support you through the accident claim process so you can get the compensation you deserve and start putting things right.

Here are just a few reasons why you can trust us:

• We're regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which monitors the standards of solicitors and legal teams in England and Wales
• Any accident claim expert we connect you with is registered with The Law Society in England and Wales or the Law Society of Scotland
• We're incredibly proud of our 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot and every one of the customer reviews we've received over the years.