Car accident injury claims
Our specialist personal injury solicitors secure life-changing compensation settlements and funded rehabilitation for people who have suffered severe and catastrophic injury in car accidents.
Serious injury after a car accident? We can help you recover.
Car drivers are required by law to have motor insurance. This ensures that if a passenger, pedestrian or other road user is injured in a car accident caused by their negligence, the injured person can claim financial compensation for their injuries and losses.
Our experienced personal injury solicitors help individuals and their families recover, rehabilitate and rebuild their lives after severe injury caused by car accidents. We specialise in claims involving life-changing injury and disability for clients with extensive needs for rehabilitation, care and support. We secure early funding for rehabilitation to optimise our clients’ recovery whilst ensuring that they receive maximum compensation to replace lost income and meet their needs for adapted housing, vehicles and equipment, therapies and care.
We achieve outstanding settlements in highly complex, difficult or sensitive cases, particularly those involving teenagers or allegations of contributory negligence. We have supported countless families through the challenges and suffering caused by devastating accidents.
- Nationally recognised personal injury specialists with decades of experience
- Access to leading medical experts and rehabilitation professionals
- Proven track record of securing life-changing compensation for families
- Dedicated support from initial enquiry through to settlement
- No upfront costs and claim through a no win no fee agreement
Starting your car accident compensation claim
It costs nothing to talk to us to find out about making a car accident injury compensation claim for yourself or a member of your family. You can contact us for free, confidential advice from a specialist personal injury solicitor. In serious injury cases, we often visit our clients in the hospital or at their home if they are unable to get to our offices.
We will ask you to tell us briefly about the accident and injury. We will advise you about any time limits that may apply and whether we can help you make a claim. Your solicitor will discuss with you how your claim will be funded and advise, fully and clearly, how that works and what it will mean for you. We offer a range of funding options, but most of our clients’ claims are handled on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.
We will put your claim to the defendant individual or organisation whose negligence caused your injury, and we will handle all communication on your behalf. The defendant’s insurers will usually handle the claim on the defendant’s behalf and will be responsible for paying any compensation. Once we are in contact with the defendant’s insurers, we can begin to secure the necessary rehabilitation and specialist support to meet the injured person’s immediate needs whilst we proceed with the claim.
No win, no fee
No hidden or upfront costs. Clear, straightforward advice. Nothing to pay unless your claim is successful.
Over 30 years’ experience
We have helped thousands of clients claim compensation.
Fully regulated
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Car accident injury compensation FAQs
What are car accident injury compensation claims?
If someone is seriously injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, they may be entitled to claim compensation for their injuries and losses.
Depending on the cause and circumstances of the accident, car accident injury compensation claims can be made by:
- drivers (in claims against another driver or the highway authority);
- pedestrians;
- cyclists
- motorcyclists;
- e-scooter riders;
- passengers, in claims against their own driver or the driver of another vehicle;
- the bereaved, dependent family of someone who died in a car accident that wasn’t their fault.
In some circumstances, compensation can also be claimed by ‘secondary victims’ who experience PTSD/psychological injury from witnessing their child, parent, or partner’s death or traumatic injury in an accident.
If the driver who caused the accident was not insured to drive the car or is untraced after leaving the scene of a hit-and-run, the insurance industry will often compensate the injured victim via the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). This is because the law and the insurance industry recognise that car accidents can cause life-changing injuries, and that those who are injured by negligent drivers are entitled to compensation.
What errors lead to car accident injury compensation claims?
Car accidents are often caused by one or more of the following driver errors:
- speeding or driving too fast for the road conditions;
- losing control of the car;
- failing to stop, slow down, give way or take action to avoid a collision;
- overtaking too close or in dangerous circumstances;
- failing to keep to their own carriageway, lane, or side of the road;
- failing to look or signal when turning or changing lane;
- failing to keep to the highway code;
- tailgating or driving too close to the vehicle in front;
- driving an unroadworthy car (defective lights, indicators, tyres, or brakes);
- driving whilst on a mobile phone (or otherwise distracted);
- driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Claims can also be made against the council, highway authority or other agencies responsible for maintaining safe roads, if the car accident was caused by:
- road maintenance and repair failures;
- unmarked ramps or other hazards;
- unlit skips or road works.
What injuries can lead to car accident injury compensation claims?
We have helped recover compensation for clients after car accidents left them with injuries including:
- head injury, brain injury, skull fracture;
- spinal cord injury (paralysis, paraplegia, tetraplegia);
- amputation;
- major trauma and multiple injuries;
- maxillofacial injuries;
- severe scarring and disfigurement;
- burn injuries;
- PSTD and psychological injury;
- CRPS, chronic pain;
- fatal injury.
What compensation can I claim after being injured in a car accident?
The amount of compensation that someone with car accident injuries can claim depends on the severity of their injury and disability, the costs of meeting their needs arising from their disability, their financial loss and other individual circumstances. In addition to compensation, we can often secure specialist rehabilitation for our injured client at an early stage in the claim, funded directly by the defendant’s insurers, through the Rehabilitation Code.
Our severely injured clients may be able to claim compensation for:
- pain, suffering, and disability;
- rehabilitation costs;
- case management, care, and assessment;
- costs of specialist equipment;
- prosthetics (after amputation);
- private medical or surgical treatment;
- therapies, such as:
- occupational therapy (OT);
- physiotherapy;
- speech and language therapy;
- PTSD treatment and psychological counselling;
- additional costs of suitable accommodation or home adaptations;
- specialist equipment, adapted vehicles, or assistive technology;
- financial losses, such as earnings and pension;
- Court of Protection deputyship costs;
- SEN support with special educational needs (for a child);
In claims arising from fatal injury, we help the deceased’s dependent family claim compensation for their loss of the deceased’s income or ‘services’ (childcare, housework, driving, DIY etc), as well as funeral costs and a fixed, statutory bereavement award.
Can I claim compensation if I was partly to blame for my car accident injury?
Car accidents and resulting injuries can have more than one cause. When the injured person’s own behaviour was partly to blame for their injuries in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions of someone else, this is known as contributory negligence. Where the injured person’s contributory negligence increased their risk of harm from an accident or made their injuries worse, their compensation may be reduced in proportion to their own contribution to their injury.
Our personal injury solicitors are experts at achieving outstanding settlements for severely injured clients in complex cases involving contributory negligence. We fight insurers’ attempts to deny claims or unfairly reduce them where we believe our client deserves full or partial compensation.
Examples of car accident claims involving contributory negligence in which we succeeded in recovering compensation for our injured client include:
Can I claim compensation for injury from a car accident caused by family or friends?
We understand the challenges faced by families after a car accident causes life-changing injury. Cars are often the preferred way for families and groups of friends to travel together, which means that car accidents often affect multiple people. Depending on the circumstances, feelings of guilt, blame, and loss after a traumatic accident can put a strain on the relationships between family and friends who were affected by the accident. Claims often involve children or teenagers injured in cars that were driven by family members or friends, accidents in which multiple people were injured, or where the accident was caused by the negligence of someone who died in the accident.
The thought of making a claim in these circumstances can seem overwhelming, but our clients discover that the extensive needs of the severely injured person can best be met by compensation. Our experienced solicitors have supported injured clients and their families through difficult claims in sensitive circumstances, securing the rehabilitation that is vital to ensure their best chance of recovery, and the necessary compensation to help them manage their disability.
When deciding to make a claim, many clients find it helpful to remember that:
- the driver’s insurance company has a legal responsibility to pay compensation to those injured by their insured driver’s negligence, so the insurer usually handles the claim for the negligent driver;
- car accident injury claims are civil claims for compensation, not criminal proceedings;
- in most of our clients’ cases, liability is agreed and settlement negotiated without the need for court proceedings or attendance at court;
- insurer-funded rehabilitation improves the injured child, teenager, or adult’s prospects of recovery, and compensation ensures that their ongoing needs will be met.
Who pays the compensation in a car accident injury claim?
If someone is injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver, that driver’s insurers will be responsible for paying any compensation settlement arising from a claim.
If the driver who caused the accident was uninsured, or is untraced after a hit-and-run accident, we can help the injured person claim compensation for their injuries from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
Compensation in serious injury car accident claims arising from unsafe road conditions can also be claimed from:
- the highways agency (e.g. Highways England) responsible for major roads and motorways;
- the local highway authority (e.g. council) responsible for minor roads and pavements;
- a contractor carrying out building or maintenance work on the roads;
- the Ministry of Transport/government;
- utility companies (responsible for low hanging cables, burst water mains etc);
- other drivers or commercial organisations responsible for hazards or obstructions on the road ( skips, spillages, debris, or items dropped from open lorries).
Who pays for car accident personal injury claims?
If your car accident was caused by another driver the compensation claim for your injuries is usually paid by the company they have insurance with.
In case the driver at fault doesn’t have insurance or if it’s a hit and run accident, claims for compensation can be made directly to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB is an organisation that has been set up to provide compensation for victims of road traffic accidents (RTAs) caused by uninsured and untraced (hit and run) drivers.
Depending on the individual circumstances of each accident, serious injury claims arising from unsafe highway conditions may be made against:
- the highways agency (such as Highways England) responsible for major roads and (smart) motorways;
- the local highway authority (such as the council) responsible for minor roads, pavements and walkways;
- a contractor carrying out building or maintenance work on the roads;
- the Ministry of Transport/government;
- utility companies (responsible for low hanging cables, burst water mains etc);
- other drivers or commercial organisations responsible for hazards or obstructions on the road ( such as skips, spillages, debris, or items dropped from open lorries)
How long does a car accident claim take to settle?
It is difficult to establish exactly how long car accident claims take to settle as it does depend on several factors like the severity of injuries and/or if the other person admits they were at fault. Calculating an average time based on cases we have worked on, it can take between a couple of months to three years or more.
On rare occasions, car accident claims might also need to be defended in court, which can also have an impact on completion time. Regardless of the time it takes to settle, we normally obtain immediate Rehabilitation Code funding to pay for our client’s seamless move from post-accident hospital care into rehabilitation.
How long after a car accident can I claim?
In most car accident cases, you must start your claim within three years of the accident, but we strongly recommend starting the claim as soon as possible. Whilst the accident is fresh in your mind, it will give us the best chance of collecting the information needed to build a strong case. Also, if you have urgent rehabilitation needs, starting a claim right away might get you the funding necessary to cover these expenses through interim payments.
There are expectations to the 3 years rule, especially if the accident involves children or means a loved one can no longer decide for themselves.
Making a car accident claim
We understand how daunting it can feel to take the first step. Our specialist personal injury solicitors are here to guide you through every stage.
Getting in touch
Call us or complete our online form to receive free, confidential advice from one of our specialist car accident solicitors. We will listen carefully to your circumstances, explain your legal options in clear and straightforward terms, and advise whether you have a claim and how we can help you move forward.
Supporting your claim
Our specialist solicitors will gather the evidence needed to support your claim, including medical records, witness statements, accident reports, police reports where available, and expert opinions where required. They will build a clear picture of how the road traffic accident occurred, who was responsible, and the physical, emotional and financial impact it has had on your life. Where appropriate, we can also seek an interim payment to help meet your immediate needs.
Securing compensation
Our solicitors work to secure the maximum compensation possible as quickly as possible. We aim to ensure you have the financial support you need for rehabilitation, medical treatment, care, specialist equipment, lost earnings, vehicle adaptations where required, and any other assistance needed to support your recovery and future wellbeing.
Contact us
If you would like advice regarding a serious injury or illness affecting you or a loved one, please complete the form and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.
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Client story
£3 million compensation
Out-of-court settlement of £3,000,000 for a young woman who was hit by a speeding car on a pedestrian crossing.
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Our personal injury solicitors
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Professionalism and continued reassurance
Our clients receive the highest standards of advice and representation and are always treated with compassion, outstanding care and understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact that life-changing injury can have upon their lives.
- We are nationally acclaimed for our personal injury expertise and the outstanding results we achieve for our clients.
- We are ranked as leading personal injury experts in the Chambers Directory and Legal 500 guides to the legal profession and are accredited for our specialist expertise by the Law Society and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
- Our integrated multidisciplinary team offers our clients a full range of specialist help with compensation, rehabilitation, SEN, deputyship, personal injury trusts and community care.
- We secure early, funded rehabilitation and maximum compensation in claims for adults and children who have suffered catastrophic injury, and provide practical support for their families.
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Leading personal injury solicitors for over 30 years
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