Car accident compensation claims

How do I start a car accident injury claim?

The first step is to contact us on to find out if you may be eligible to make a road accident claim. Typically, we're able to tell you in one call whether we can help.

If you've got grounds to make a car accident claim and you decide you'd like to go ahead, we can then pair you with a specialist solicitor from our panel. We can usually do this on the same call. Your legal team will give you a free consultation and assess how they may be able to help you.

Then they'll double-check you want to go ahead and will talk you through the no win no fee agreement. We take most car accident cases on a no win no fee basis.

If you're happy to go ahead and claim, your lawyer will contact the other side. This is the person or organisation you believe is responsible for your injury. They'll contact them on your behalf and let them know you'll be making a claim for your car accident injuries and any losses.

During your claim, your solicitor or legal team will be your point of contact. It's their job to keep you up to date throughout your claim. They'll also be happy to answer any questions you may have as your claim progresses.

Can I make a no win no fee car accident compensation claim?

If you were hurt in a car accident that was someone else's fault, you'll likely be eligible to make a no win no fee claim. You may also be able to claim if the accident was partially your fault too. 

Your legal team will check the circumstances with you. If they decide they can handle your claim, it's almost always on no win no fee terms. On the very rare occasions these terms aren't applicable, they'll explain your options so you can make an informed decision about what to do next.

A no win no fee arrangement is the contract between you and the personal injury lawyer we appoint for you.

• There are no upfront costs and no hidden charges.
• If you don't win your claim, you won't need to pay your solicitor any costs.
• You might be advised to take out a no-upfront-cost insurance policy, also referred to as 'after the event' insurance (ATE) which pays the costs if your claim fails . 

For independent advice about no win no fee car accident claims, call us on , arrange a call back or start your claim online.

What are the most common causes of car accidents?

Most road traffic accidents are caused by human error with contributory factors including:

• Speeding
• Travelling too fast for road conditions
• Distracted or careless driving
• Loss of control

What happens with serious or life-changing car accident injuries?

If you've suffered a serious injury because of a car accident, we can help make it right. We've helped many thousands of injury victims  through difficult times by getting them the compensation, rehabilitation and support they deserve.

Making a road traffic accident (RTA) claim can seem like an added stress at a time when you're focusing on recovery. That's why we only work with specialist legal teams who will be there for you from start to finish.

Your claim can help you plan for your future, especially if your injury is likely to cause long-term changes to your life. For example, it can help to cover your mortgage or rent, lost earnings, treatment, care or travel costs.

Visit our serious injuries page for more information on how we can help you.

Who can make a road accident claim?

You can still claim if you weren't in a car when your accident happened. Car accidents often involve pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. You could also make a claim if you were injured as a passenger in a car accident, or as a passenger in a bus or taxi.

Can I claim car accident compensation on behalf of someone else?

If your child or a child you're responsible for was injured in a car accident, we can help you make a claim on their behalf. The process is slightly different, but we can talk this through with you and help you take the next steps.

If you're not ready to make a claim and would just like some sound advice, you can contact us now on .

How long after the car accident happened can I claim compensation?

In most cases, you must either settle or start court proceedings for a car accident claim within three years.

This doesn't apply in the following circumstances:

• Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, if the claimant is unable to make a claim due to mental incapacity, there is no time limit on making a claim. But if the claimant regains mental capacity, even for a brief period of time, then the three year time limit begins.
• Parents, guardians or formal ‘litigation friends'can make a claim on behalf of a child, up until the age of 18. After this time, the three-year time limit starts and they have until their 21st birthday to make a claim.

Why choose National Accident Helpline to help with my car accident claim?

We understand what you're going through. We're the UK's largest and most trusted provider of accident advice with over years_since years' experience helping people hurt by someone else's negligence. In that time, our friendly, personal injury advisors have lent a helping hand to over two million people.

We have a nationwide network of specialist personal accident lawyers who have expertise in processing car crash claims. Wherever you live, we have someone who can help you. With no win no fee, you'll have nothing to pay upfront, no hidden charges and no solicitor fees to pay if your claim fails. Call us free on to find out more.

How much car accident compensation could I receive?

There are two types of compensation involved in a car accident claim:

• Compensation for pain and suffering as well as the impact the injuries have had on your life and your ability to do everyday things (also known as general damages).
• Compensation for any financial losses you may have incurred as a direct result of your accident (also known as special damages).

General damages are all about the injury and special damages cover a wide range of financial losses. Your legal team will explain them to you in detail, but they include things like:

• Time off work and any lost earnings.
• Any loss to your future income and/or ability to work.
• Psychological after effects.
• Any personal help you've had for things that you would have previously done yourself, even if it was (or still is) given voluntarily by family and/or friends.
• Any changes you've had (or may need) to your car or home.
• Any medical care costs or travel and accommodation expenses incurred while getting treatment.
• Any rehabilitation programmes as prescribed by a medical professional.
• Any daily extra expenses you've incurred as a result of the accident.

The amount you could be awarded depends on your injury, its severity and the effect on your life. When you claim through us, we match you with a solicitor with the right experience for your circumstances. They'll carefully build your car accident claim to make sure you are fully compensated.

The Judicial College, part of the Ministry of Justice, sets the compensation ranges for different types of car accident injuries, from minor to very severe. We've listed some common car accident claim injuries below. The values are from the 17th and latest edition. Your legal team will discuss the appropriate compensation levels with you as they build your claim.

Take a look at our compensation table below for estimated ranges for specific injury types. You can also use our car accident compensation calculator to get a rough indication of what to expect.

What are the most common car accident injuries?

Car accident injuries vary widely depending on the nature of the incident. Most police constabularies in the UK now classify road traffic accident injuries into five categories, depending on severity. Slight injuries such as bruising are very common, while serious injuries such as head and brain injuries are usually seen in very severe accidents.

One category is for fatalities and the other four are:

• Slight - for whiplash to the neck, shock, bruising, soft tissue sprains and strains plus minor cuts or abrasions. Since 31st May 2021 these types of personal injuries are classified as small claims. 
• Less serious - covering things such as minor head injuries, deep cuts, fractures to the hand, arm, collarbone, foot, ankle or lower leg.
• Moderately serious - includes fractures to the thigh or pelvis, chest injuries and deeply penetrating wounds.
• Very serious - covering broken neck or spine, severe head, chest or crush injury with loss of consciousness or breathing difficulty. This also includes all internal injuries and multiple severe injuries with unconsciousness.

Car accident injuries can leave long-lasting physical and psychological scars. Whether minor shunt or major incident, we'll help take the stress out of making a car crash claim.

How is a car accident claim processed?

Road accident claims are processed differently depending on the value of the claim:

Car accident claims valued up to £25,000

Since 31st May 2021 personal injury claims valued over £5,000 and up to and including £25,000, are called fast-track claims.

Your legal team will file these types of car accident claims for personal injury through an internet system called the Claims Portal. This system is overseen by the Ministry of Justice. It's there to deal efficiently with all claims for injuries like whiplash, cuts and minor fractures or breaks.

• If the other side admits liability, your claim continues through the portal until it's resolved. 
• This is where your lawyer negotiates with the other side until both agree on an acceptable compensation figure.
• You then get paid your compensation. 
• Your lawyer is paid an agreed and capped proportion of your compensation as payment for winning.

If the other side fails to admit liability or actually denies that they are responsible, your car accident claim drops out of the portal.  If this happens:

• Your claim will be investigated and medical evidence gathered.
• Your lawyer will then begin court proceedings against the other side. 
• This follows a fixed procedure with all timings set by the court. 
• Negotiations will continue while this is happening. The vast majority of car accident injury claims are still settled before a court hearing is needed.
• If a court hearing is needed, it usually lasts one day and a judge will decide the outcome.
• You may need to attend the hearing, but your lawyer will advise you and take care of everything.
• If your claim succeeds at the hearing, you are awarded compensation from which your legal team is paid.
• If your claim fails and you've proceeded on a no win no fee basis, you won't pay any fees as long as you've stuck to the terms and conditions of your agreement.

Car accident claims valued above £25,000

Claims valued between £25,000 and £100,000 are classed as 'intermediate track' claims and involve fixed fees from the losing party.

A road traffic accident claim valued at more than £100,000 is classed as complex and is called a ‘multi-track' claim .

• This is usually because it involves injuries that are serious, life-changing or worse. The car accident may also have occurred under very complicated circumstances that require thorough examination. 
• These claims are always handled outside of the Claims Portal but still involve negotiation with the other side's insurers.
• Complex multi-track claims almost always take longer to settle than simpler ones.

Your lawyer will let you know at the beginning of your claim if it's a complex, multi-track case.

Will I have to go to court to get car accident compensation?

Possibly, but the chances are slim. Only about 5% of claims end up in front of a judge at a court hearing. Even when your legal team begin legal proceedings against the other side should they dispute or deny liability, negotiations often succeed before the court date.

If your car crash claim does go before a judge at a court hearing, you may not always need to be present. No two claims are the same. Your lawyer will advise you about what happens based on the circumstances of your car accident claim.

Will I need a medical exam?

Yes, an independent medical opinion about your injuries is important evidence that your solicitor or legal team will use to build your case. It's mandatory for all personal injury claims.

Your legal team will arrange a medical assessment for you with a government-approved agency that's usually local to you. This is to assess your injury. The assessment can take up to an hour, depending on the nature of your injury. 

The medical professional will also review your treatment notes. While it's not a physical examination, they will usually ask you to make certain movements so they can judge injury impact. 

Can I make a claim if I caused a car accident?

If you were totally to blame for the car accident in which you were injured, then you can't claim for injury.

You might still be able to make a claim if you were partly to blame for the car accident. This is called split liability. Let's work through an example:

• In a car accident injury claimfor £10,000, blame may be agreed upon and shared evenly between you and the other side. That's a ratio of 50:50.
• That means that if the claim were to succeed, the compensation payment before solicitors' deductions would be £5,000.
• Split liability ratios may be agreed at 60:40, 70:30, 80:20 and so on - either in favour of you or the other side.
• Your lawyer will explain everything to you if split liability is involved.

Can I claim car accident compensation if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt?

You will still be able to claim compensation as long as you can prove that the other party caused the accident. But if it's proven that your injuries are more severe due to not wearing a seatbelt, the amount you receive might be reduced because of contributory negligence.

If you're unsure, speak to our team on and we can discuss your case with you.

The other side's insurer has made me an early offer: what should I do?

Be cautious and accept nothing until you have taken independent legal advice. Insurance companies will often make an early offer to settle a car accident claim quickly and at the least cost. As a result, the claim may be undervalued.

Talk to one of our personal injury advisors before accepting any offer. Contact us on , online, or request a call back. 

How long does a car accident claim take?

No two car accident claims are the same. It depends on the severity of your injury and the complexity of the circumstances. Claims usually settle quicker when the other side accepts liability. They typically take longer if the other side denies or disputes liability. This can also occur if negotiations with the other side break down and your solicitor or legal team begin court proceedings.

There are lots of variables and your legal team will give you a rough idea of how long your claim may take once they've built your case and begun negotiating with the other side.

Who pays car accident compensation?

To qualify for a car accident claim, your injuries must have been caused by some other parties negligence or breach of legal duty. Put simply, somebody else must be at fault or partially at fault for your accident.

If your car accident was caused by another road user or motorist, then your compensation will be paid by their insurance. It won't be paid by them personally.

Can I claim car accident compensation against an uninsured driver?

If you were injured by an untraceable or uninsured driver or involved in a hit-and-run, then we may still be able to help you. In these cases, car accident claims are paid by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).