Road traffic accident solicitors
Driver, passenger, biker, pillion, cyclist, horse rider, runner or pedestrian, we're all vulnerable when on the road. Department for Transport research shows over 153,000 people were injured in road traffic accidents reported in 2019, with 1,752 suffering fatal injury.
The total number of people hurt in road accidents in 2019 is down from 2018. However, the volume of incidents mean thousands are still making road accident claims every year. Whether you've been involved in a minor shunt or a major collision, we're here to take the stress out of claiming compensation while you recover.
We understand that making a road traffic accident claim can seem daunting and complicated. That's why we've put together this handy guide to explain what happens and give you added peace of mind.
What types of injury can you suffer in a road accident?
Even more common injuries like whiplash can have a significant impact on someone's life.
Many police forces around the country classify road traffic accident injuries into five categories. The most serious group is fatality and the other four are:
- Slight - neck whiplash, shock, bruising, soft tissue sprains and strains plus shallow cuts or abrasions.
- Less serious - minor head injuries, deep cuts, hand, arm or collarbone fractures plus foot, ankle or lower leg fractures.
- Moderately serious - thigh or pelvis fracture, chest injuries and deeply penetrating wounds.
- Very serious - broken neck or spine, severe head, chest or crush injury with loss of consciousness or breathing difficulty. Plus all internal injuries and multiple severe injuries with unconsciousness.
Traffic accidents and other motor-related incidents form the vast majority of personal injury claims. Road traffic accident compensation claims can be complicated and they require absolute attention to detail. It's our job to take care of the customer every step of the way, while they focus on recovery.
Amy Vaughan
Senior Litigator, National Accident LawWhat amount might you receive in a successful road traffic accident claim?
If you're eligible for compensation and your claim succeeds, the amounts paid will vary. It depends on the type and severity of your injuries and the time it takes to recover.
The Judicial College's compensation guidelines (15th Edition) recommend compensation ranges for a number of injury claim types.
Small claims personal injury and whiplash law changes
On 31st May 2021, the government adapted certain rules for making a small personal injury claim after a road traffic accident. These rules focussed on reducing the number and cost of fraudulent or false and exaggerated claims. To support this, a tariff was introduced for whiplash claims linking compensation awards to the duration of the injury sustained from the accident. One of the benefits of reducing fraudulent claims is the likely reduction of motor insurance premiums for drivers and road users. Key rule-changes include:
- The small claims general damages limit will rise 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 a small claim.
- People now have the option to make a small road traffic accident claim themselves online, without needing help from a solicitor.
These rules are for small claims only and do not apply to all injuries or claims. Pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users will not be affected by these updates. Other personal injury claims will also remain unaffected by the changes, such as medical negligence claims, workplace accidents, and accidents in public.
What's the process for claiming traffic accident compensation?
We like to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible. If you're seeking to claim for injury compensation after a road traffic accident, you can see if you can start your claim online by completing our claim online tool. Or you can call us on .
We handle claims for some injuries - such as whiplash, cuts, bruising and minor fractures or bone breaks - using an efficient internet system run by the government.
In complex cases where you or a loved one has been badly hurt or critically injured, you'll be in the safe hands of our specialist team from the moment you contact us.
Start your claim online
Use our market leading calculator to start your claim online. It can give you an indicative claim valuation, plus confirm if you can manage your case online through our MyAccount customer account area.
Claim onlineHow long do you have to make a road traffic accident compensation claim?
If you've been hurt in a road traffic accident that wasn't your fault, our specialist road traffic team will guide you through the process. We'll do everything in our power to help ease the physical and psychological impacts of what we know can be a stressful time. You can claim for traffic accident compensation with road traffic accident solicitors any time up to three years after being injured.
- In most circumstances, adults who were 18 years old or over at the time must make a claim within three years of the accident.
- Where the injured person was under 18 years old when the accident occurred, the three-year period usually expires on their 21st birthday.
We always recommend you seek professional advice as soon as possible while events are fresh in the mind. If the three-year deadline is approaching, please contact us as soon as possible as it can take time to get things in motion.
If you think you may be eligible to make a road traffic accident claim, contact us today by completing our claim online tool, requesting a call back or by calling our friendly team on . We're here to help you get the compensation you deserve.