Claiming, simplified: Our guide to making a compensation claim

What types of accident compensation claims are there?

There are a number of accident and negligence types, some more common than others, that we help people with their compensation claims for. 

So, if you're wondering if you're entitled to make a claim, based on your specific accident circumstances, there is every chance that someone else would have made a claim for a similar accident before, and we'll have expertise in building a claim in relation to the suffering caused by it. 

We have almost 30 years of experience working with compensation claims for accidents and negligence cases, which include: 

• Accidents at work
• Road accidents
• Slips or falls
• Falls in public places
• Medical negligence
• Accidents in your home
• Serious or life-changing accidents

How long do I have to make a claim?

While we advise that anyone who wishes to make a claim does so as soon as possible after their accident or case of negligence, generally you have three years from the date of the incident to make your claim. 

There are some exceptions, in certain situations, however. 

For example, some injuries suffered from medical negligence may not be apparent immediately, so in this case the time in which you can claim from could begin from the date you discover your injuries. The timeframe in which to make a claim could depend on the severity of your injuries and your recovery too.

What's more, it is worth considering: 

• If you were over 18 at the time of your accident, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury claim for compensation 
• If you were under 18 at the time of your accident, you have 3 years from your 18th birthday - until age 21 - to make a personal injury claim for compensation

What will my claim involve?

We understand that the idea of making a compensation claim, especially if you've no personal experience of doing so, or don't know anyone else who's claimed before, can be quite daunting. It may seem like it's a very complicated, lengthy process. 

There's no need to worry however. At National Accident Helpline, we do all we can to make telling your story and claiming what you deserve as easy and stress-free as possible, whilst handling as much of the hard work as we can for you. 

If and when you're ready to make a claim, a call with one of National Accident Helpline's friendly, expert advisors is all it takes to get things started. Your story will be listened to and you'll be given impartial advice about whether you can make a claim, with no pressure to proceed. 

If you're eligible to claim, and decide to do so, the process will involve these five stages: 

Stage 1: assessment

By now, you may already have talked with one of our advisors about claiming after an accident. This is where we assess whether you're eligible to do so. If you are, we'll explain your options in plain English. If you decide you want to make an injury claim, we'll pair you with a specialist solicitor with the right experience.

Stage 2: consultation

Your solicitor will investigate the facts with you, judge how the accident has affected you and then decide what to do next. This will include asking you to share specific evidence to support your claim, such as medical records and photographs.

Stage 3: submission

When they have all the details and have valued your claim precisely, your solicitor submits it to the other side (often called ‘the defendant'). This officially notifies the person or organisation you think caused your accident injury.

Stage 4: negotiation

Your claim moves through a set of legal processes designed by the Ministry of Justice. The other side might accept liability or deny it and if they deny responsibility, your claim will likely take longer.

Your solicitor handles all the negotiation with the other side on your behalf. If they can't agree, the claim usually then goes to a hearing at court in front of a Judge. Most claims are settled out-of-court.

Stage 5: finalisation

After all the processes have been completed, your claim settles. This will either be by negotiation or very occasionally in court. If your solicitor has won your claim, the other side's insurance company will pay your compensation and this usually comes through in a month or so.

How long does a personal injury claim take?

While you can be assured that we'll work hard to complete your claim and get you your compensation as soon as possible, it is hard to provide specific timings for specific cases, simply because of the nuances of each and every case. 

How long your claim takes could depend on the complexity of your accident and claim, the amount of compensation and how cooperative the other side is, but of course your specialist solicitor will work as quickly as they can. 

Once the hard work is done however, and you accept an offer of settlement for your claim, your compensation could reach you within 14-28 days of settlement.

Will I have to go to court?

If you're worried that making a personal accident claim will mean having to go to court in order to get the compensation you deserve, you're not alone - this is one of the most common queries we hear about claiming. 

Like so many others, you'll likely be relieved to hear that the vast majority of cases - more than 95% in fact - are handled without a need for anyone to have to go to court. 

And even if your case was in the minority of those that did require a court hearing, our specialist solicitors would of course offer guidance and support throughout the process, to make it as easy and stress-free as possible for you.

How much compensation will I receive?

Similar to the amount of time a personal injury claim will take, the amount of compensation that may be awarded for a case will depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident or incident, the injuries and trauma suffered as a result and the impact it has had on your life. 

Therefore, it is difficult to provide a general idea of how much compensation you may receive before we know the details surrounding your accident and claim. 

With this in mind, we advise speaking with a member of our friendly team - they'll listen to your story, gain an understanding of your accident and injuries and be able to help with the more specific details of your claim. 

In the meantime, perhaps refer to our compensation calculator for an idea of the compensation you could claim.

If I want to speak to someone, can I? 

While we hope this guide will help you with any questions or queries you have about making a claim, you can - of course - speak to one of our friendly experts if you prefer. 

When you're ready to tell your story, you can simply give us a call on now, or request a call back. We'll be happy to help you begin a claim, or simply help you decide whether or not your wish to claim for your accident and injuries. 

Will they explain everything to me?

Of course. Listening to your story, details of your accident and injuries, and helping you build a case for a claim is what we're here for. 

We understand that the idea of making a personal injury claim can be daunting for some, and in any situation is a big decision. So we'll help put your mind at ease by explaining the process in as much detail as you need and answering any questions you have too.

And it'll all be without any pressure on you to proceed - whether you go ahead with making a claim is entirely up to you.

Find out more about the accident claims process

If you still have any questions or queries about making a personal injury claim with National Accident Helpline, you can find out more information - quickly and easily - across our website, with our Making a Claim page the perfect place to start. 

Alternatively, our friendly, helpful advisors will be pleased to help you - perhaps give us a call on now, or request a call back here.