Car Accident Claim - How Much Compensation Will I Get?
Learn More About Making A Car Accident Claim
We pride ourselves on offering access to justice and a quality compensation recovery service. To help us achieve that, we offer No Win No Fee agreements in all cases that we take on.
£70 million in compensation
Car Accident Claim - How Much Compensation Will I Get?
Learn More About Making A Car Accident Claim
We pride ourselves on offering access to justice and a quality compensation recovery service. To help us achieve that, we offer No Win No Fee agreements in all cases that we take on.
Welcome to our guide on how to make a car accident claim.
We’ll examine key aspects of the car accident claims process including the eligiblity criteria to begin a claim, the types of accidents you could seek compensation for and what evidence can be used to demonstrate the fault of the other driver.
You will also see information on how personal injury compensation is calculated under the two relevant heads of loss. A compensation table with guideline award figures has also been included for your reference.
At the end of the guide you will see a short section on the No Win No Fee agreement offered by our solicitors, paying particular attention to how you can benefit when claiming for a road traffic accident under these terms.
To get a free assessment of your eligibility to claim or to ask any questions you may have, contact our advisors today via:
- Phone on 0151 375 9916.
- Use our live chat.
- Contact us by completing our callback form.
What Is A Car Accident Claim?
A car accident claim is a type of personal injury claim made following road accidents involving cars. This is a very broad category of accidents and can involve collisions between vehicles and accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians.
There is a collective duty of care owed by road users to each other to navigate safely to avoid causing harm, injuries and damage. This means upholding the rules and regulations of both the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code.
The eligibility criteria to begin a road traffic accident claim can be summarised as follows:
- You were owed a duty of care by another road user.
- That road user breached their duty of care in some way.
- This breach resulted in a car accident in which you were injured.
To get a free assessment of your eligiblity to claim car accident compensation, call our advisors today using the number provided above.
What Types Of Car Accidents Could Lead To A Claim?
As we stated above, there are many circumstances where a car accident claim could be made. We have provided a few possible examples here but want to emphasise that there are many other instances of car accidents that could occur.
Examples can include:
- A drunk driver ran through a red light at a junction. You were driving across the junction when the driver t-boned your vehicle on the driver’s side. You suffered fractures to your arm, ribs and shoulder in the crash, as well as a significant concussion.
- A driver reversing out of a side road failed to adequately observe around their vehicle before manoeuvring. You were cycling along the main road when the car pulled out in front of you. You hit the car and were thrown from your bike, suffering injuries to your arms, chest and legs.
- You were walking through a town centre when a car travelling well above the speed limit failed to make the bend. The car crashed into you, causing multiple serious injuries to your spine, internal organs and brain.
For a free assessment of your eligibility to claim compensation following a car accident, contact our advisory team using the details given below.
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How Do I Make A Car Accident Claim?
A key part of any car accident claim will be gathering enough supporting evidence. The proof you gather is not only for showing the fault of the other driver but it will also help our solicitors in determining a possible compensation figure for your injuries by highlighting what harm you experienced.
We have provided a few examples of evidence here:
- We always advise that the first thing you do following any accident is to seek professional medical help. Your health is, of course, our primary concern, but any medical records from this treatment (think copies of scans, test results, examination notes) can be used as evidence in your claim.
- It is vital to get all the details of anyone involved in the car accident, including registration and insurance details.
- If available, you can get footage from CCTV cameras or dash cam devices. This can be very useful in cases involving uninsured drivers or those who cannot be traced
- Photographs of your vehicle, the other vehicles involved, your injuries and the immediate scene of the accident.
- Following certain road traffic accidents, the police may attend the scene. Their incident report could be used as part of your evidence.
- Any passengers, pedestrians or other motorists who saw the accident could provide a witness statement. Be sure you have their contact information so they give their statement during the claim.
You could get support from one of our highly experienced solicitors when gathering evidence for your claim. Talk to one of our advisors for a free eligibility assessment. If eligible, they could put you in touch with one of our dedicated road traffic accident solicitors, who could not only help you gather evidence, but ensure all court instructions and relevant deadlines are complied with.
Our advisory team are available 24 hours a day via the contact information given above.
Can I Claim For Whiplash After A Car Accident?
Whiplash is an injury caused by sudden neck movement that is primarily associated with vehicle accidents. The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 changed the way in which small-value claims are made following car accidents.
Adult drivers and passengers whose claims are valued at £5,000 or less will make their claims through a different avenue. In multiple injury claims where whiplash injuries have been sustained but the total value is above £5,000, the claim is made in the traditional manner. However, a personal injury solicitor can help you claim no matter what manner your’s is made.
To learn more about seeking whiplash compensation in a car accident claim, call our advisors using the number provided above. Additionally, an advisor can help value your personal injury claim to ensure that it is filed in the correct manner. Once it reaches a settlement, it cannot be reopened.
We pride ourselves
on providing the best service
possible for our clients.
We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible for our clients.
Can I Make A Car Accident Claim If The Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
A key part of the road traffic accident claims process is getting the insurance information of the other vehicles involved. The insurer of the responsible driver will pay the compensation to those injured. However, this is not possible in cases where the responsible driver has no valid insurance, has failed to stop or you were hit by a stolen vehicle.
A car accident claim in these scenarios is made through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). The MIB is an organisation that every motor insurance provider in the UK is required to be a member of and contribute to the funding of. You can find out more about making an MIB claim by talking to our advisors. Regardless of whether you have the insurance details of the responsible party or not, JF Law can help you seek compensation. Talk to the team today via the contact information given below.
What Is The Time Limit When Claiming For A Road Traffic Accident?
In most personal injury cases, the time limit to begin a claim is 3 years from the date of the accident. This was established by the Limitation Act 1980. However, exceptions to this general limit can apply and an extension granted. These circumstances include:
- Children: injured persons who were under 18 when the accident occurred will have the 3 years counted from their 18th birthday, giving them until they reach 21 to make a claim.
- Those lacking mental capacity: if the injured person does have sufficient mental capacity to claim for themselves, whether resulting from the accident or due to a prior condition, the time limit is halted altogether.
If an injured person is unable to claim for themselves then a parent, guardian or other suitable adult may apply to act as their litigation friend. This means they are given the authority to make decisions regarding the claim on behalf of the injured person.
To check if any exceptions may apply in your particular car accident claim, and for a free assessment of your eligibility, contact our advisors today using the number given below.
How Much Car Accident Compensation Could I Receive?
Compensation in a successful car accident claim can be awarded under two different heads of loss. The physical and psychological harm will be compensated under general damages. Compensation for financial losses can be awarded under special damages.
When those responsible for assigning value to injuries come to calculate a possible compensation figure for your claim, reference can be made to the Judicial College Guidelines alongside your medical evidence.
Referred to as the JCG, this document outlines the guideline award brackets for a range of different injuries. We have used a selection of these, whiplash tariffs and a figure in the top row to show you how compensation can be awarded for multiple injuries and special damages. The figure in the top row was not taken from the JCG or the Whiplash Injury Regulations.
Compensation Table
Please note that this table has been included to act as guidance only.
Type of Injury Severity Guideline Compensation Figure Notes
Multiple Very Severe Injuries together with Significant Special Damages Very Severe Up to £1,000,000 + The injured person will have sustained multiple very severe injuries as well significant financial losses such as lost pay, medical costs and care expenses.
Paralysis Tetraplegia (a) £396,140 to £493,000 Upper and lower body paralysis. Cases where the injured person is not in pain and has full awareness can attract an award towards the middle of this bracket.
Paraplegia (b) £267,340 to £346,890 Lower body paralysis. Awards for paraplegia are influenced by factors such as the level of pain, degree of independence, impact on sexual function and psychological symptoms.
Brain Damage Moderately Severe (b) £267,340 to £344,150 Very serious disability that can involve both physical paralysis as well as cognitive impairments such as personality change.
Back Injuries Severe (i) £111,150 to £196,450 The most severe injuries involving damage to both the spinal column and nerve roots. Severe pain, paralysis impairment of bladder and bowel function.
Chest Injuries Removal of One Lung and/or Serious Heart Damage (a) £122,850 to £183,190 Loss of one lung and/or serious heart damage causing prolonged pain and suffering with significant permanent scarring.
Other Arm Injuries Permanent and Substantial Disablement (b) £47,810 to £73,050 Serious forearm fractures causing permanent and significant residual disability.
Severe Leg Injuries Severe (b)(iv) £33,880 to £47,840 Complex or multiple fractures or severe crush injuries.
Whiplash Tariff With Psychological Harm £4,345 Whiplash with minor psychological damage and symptoms that last longer than 18 months, but less than 24 months.
Without Psychological Harm £4,215 Whiplash symptoms that last between 18 months up to 2 years.
Special Damages In A Car Accident Claim
The second of the two heads of loss is known as special damages. Special damages can be awarded for costs stemming from your injuries. This includes both immediate and future losses so it is very often the case that awards paid out under special damages will be higher than those under general damages.
Examples of costs you could be reimbursed for include:
- Loss of earnings due to time taken off work to recover from your injuries.
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses such as prescriptions or therapy sessions.
- Accessibility modifications to your home. For example a stairlift, accessible shower or door ramps.
- Support with child care, or domestic tasks such as food preparation and cleaning.
Make sure you hold onto documentation such as your payslips, receipts, and prescription letters as proof of any costs you have incurred. To get a free assessment of your eligibility and a more personalised idea of what your potential claim could be worth, speak to our advisory team today.
Claim Car Accident Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis
To check the validity of your potential car accident claim, talk to our advisory team for a free assessment today. If eligible, you could be connected with one of our dedicated solicitors, who could take your case on a No Win No Fee basis.
The type of contract offered by our solicitors is known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) and offers claimants some very desirable benefits including:
- No fee to pay for the solicitor to begin work on the claim.
- No fees for that during the claim itself
- Finally, if the claim is unsuccessful, there’ll be nothing to pay for the work of your solicitor.
A successful personal injury claim will see you awarded compensation. The solicitor will take a small percentage of this compensation as their success fee. Since success fees are subject to a legally binding cap by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, you will receive most of any compensation that is awarded.
To get a free assessment of your eligibility to claim or to ask any questions you may have, contact our advisors today via:
- Phone on 0151 375 9916.
- Use our live chat.
- Contact us by completing our callback form.
Learn More About Claiming For Road Traffic Accidents
You can read some of our other road traffic accident claims guides here:
- Read our guide to making a public transport accident claim here.
- You can find out more about claiming for a passenger injury with this guide.
- Learn more about claiming compensation following a rear end collision here.
We have also included these external resources for additional information:
- View the latest road safety campaigns from THINK!
- Find out more about the work of road safety charity Brake on their website.
- Following a road accident, you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). You can view the eligibility requirements on this government page.
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide on how to make a car accident claim. For more information or a free assessment of your eligiblity, contact our advisory team today using the details provided above.
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