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A Guide To Making Car Accident Claims

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The Legal Helpline Team

Our team is made up of experienced lawyers, writers, editors and journalists specialising in the legal sector

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How Legal Helpline Can Help You After A Car Crash

We know that it can be difficult to decide on the best car accident solicitors for you. After all, there are many different options to choose from today. Nevertheless, the team here at Legal Helpline promises to deliver a first-class service to a standard that you will not find anywhere else.

We have experience spanning several years in the industry, having worked on thousands of personal injury cases before. We truly believe we are the best car accident claim company you will find.

You can also be certain that we will always put your needs first. We are not a heartless business that is merely focused on making a profit. We want to make a difference to our client’s lives.

We take each case personally and we work hard to ensure that you always get the maximum amount of compensation possible. 

If you’d like to see if we can help you today, please click the button below.

Work With Specialist Car Accident Solicitors

We work with a panel of specialist car accident solicitors who have many years of experience handling all different types of cases. All lawyers we work with are registered with the Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). 

One of the specialist car accident lawyers on our panel is Tracey Chick. Tracey holds a MASS diploma and is a specialist in road traffic accident claims. She heads up the Road Traffic Accident department for one of our panel law firms. 

If you’d like to see if Tracey and her team can help, get in touch today. 

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Can I Make A Car Accident Claim?

If you have been injured in a car accident, you could be eligible for compensation. However, you will need to prove that you suffered your injury due to another road user breaching their duty of care.

All road users owe a duty of care. As part of their duty of care, they must follow the rules and obligations expected of them that are stated in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. This is to promote road safety and minimise the risk of accidents occurring.

If another driver were to breach their duty of care, this could cause you to become injured in a car accident. This could be the case if you were a driver or even a passenger in a car.

Contact one of our friendly advisors today to receive free legal advice regarding car accident injury claims. Additionally, you could discuss your specific claim with them. If they believe that you may be eligible for compensation, they could connect you with our panel of solicitors, who could help you with your claim.

What Injuries Can I Claim Compensation For?

One type of injury sustained by people in a car accident is whiplash. If you’ve suffered whiplash in a road traffic accident, you may need to claim through the Whiplash Reform Programme. This is discussed in further detail later in this guide.

Other examples of injuries you could sustain in a car accident include:

As we’ve said you could be able to make a claim for compensation if a negligent party was liable for injuries you suffered in a car accident. To claim compensation, you may be required to present evidence of the extent of your injuries, or evidence of how your injuries have affected you.

Please reach out to one of our advisers if you would like to learn more about claims for car accidents or for injury compensation rates relevant to you. They offer free advice and consultations about your specific case.

Fatal Car Accidents

Fatal car accidents are extremely distressing for everyone involved, especially the family of the deceased. If your loved one died in a car crash, you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf. You can also claim for loss of protection, care and companionship. If you were financially dependent on the person who has passed away, this will be taken into account and reflected in the car crash compensation payouts awarded.

Examples Of Car Accident Injury Claim Payouts

You may be wondering how much your car accident claim could be worth if your case is successful. Well, the amount that could be awarded potentially depends on two different heads of loss, known as general and special damages. 

Compensation for the physical and mental effects of your car accident fall under general damages. This head of loss will definitely be awarded if your case is successful. The value of general damages can depend on factors such as:

  • The extent and length of your recovery period. 
  • How severe your injury is.
  • Loss of amenity. 

Legal professionals, solicitors and others responsible for valuing claims will often make use of a variety of resources to assist them in calculating an appropriate amount for general damages. One being the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This publication contains guideline compensation amounts for different physical and mental injuries/illnesses.

Reports from an independent medical assessment (which you may be asked to have during the case process) is another resource which legal professionals might use. 

Can I Claim For Damage To My Vehicle?

Yes, you can claim for damage to your vehicle. It’s also possible to claim back other costs associated with the accident.

Car accident compensation for the financial effects of your injuries fall under special damages. This head of loss is not guaranteed to be awarded if your case is successful. Some financial losses which can be compensated under special damages include:

  • Lost earnings. 
  • Prescriptions and over-the-counter medication. 
  • Mobility aid costs.

You need to provide evidence of these losses to be able to claim special damages as part of your car accident injury claim. For example, this could include bank statements, bills and invoices, and receipts.

What Types Of Car Accidents Can You Claim For?

We’re able to help with all types of car crashes and accidents, from accidents on roundabouts and those that happen when merging lanes to those that inflict whiplash injuries and nerve damage

Below, you can find more details about the cases we can help with. If you don’t see your accident listed don’t worry. We can handle all accident types, including T-bone accidents and rear-end shunts

How Do I Prove My Car Accident Claim?

When people are injured in car accidents, compensation being awarded can often depend on the evidence that you have. There are a few different forms of evidence you can gather to help support your claim.

Here are a few examples:

  • Video footage – Your accident may have been captured on CCTV or even a dashcam. It’s advised to make a request for this footage as soon as is deemed reasonably possible, as it may otherwise be deleted.
  • Photographs – It can be helpful to have photographic evidence of your injuries, and possibly even of the scene of the accident.
  • Witness contact details – If there were others who saw how you were injured, they may be willing to submit a written statement to help support your claim. Making sure you have a way of contacting them so they can do so may be important.
  • Medical evidence – The extent of your injuries and any required treatment will be contained in this official documentation, amongst other important information.

Get in touch for more examples of evidence you could acquire and gather. We also have helpful information on other subjects such as car accident injury compensation amounts and examples of an average payout for a car accident in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below, you can find answers to common questions on car accident claims.

What Is The Car Accident Claim Time Limit?

There is a set time limit for when you must start a compensation claim. In a claim for negligence, your time limit will generally be set at 3 years from the date of your accident and injury.

This time limit does not apply to groups of people who cannot start a claim for themselves. A minor, for example, will only be able to represent themselves in a claim when they turn 18; this is when the 3-year time limit will apply to them.

A claim for a minor that was injured in a car accident could either:

  • Be started at any time before the minor turns 18, by an appointed litigation friend who would act as their official representative
  • Be started in the 3 years following the minor’s 18th birthday, by the claimant themselves

If someone does not have the mental capacity to pursue a car accident personal injury claim, a similar exception is in place. Their claim can be started at any point by a litigation friend, or it must be started within three years of when they are deemed capable of representing themselves.

More information about this can be found in the Limitation Act 1980.

You can always reach out to one of our advisers for free information about car injury claims, or to receive direct answers for your questions. Otherwise, you can read on to see examples of car accident compensation amounts that may be relevant to your claim.

For more on the car accident claim time limit, see our dedicated guide here. 

Most car accident claims are settled without going to court, but there are situations where court action may be necessary. This usually happens if the other driver denies responsibility, if there is a disagreement over how much compensation is owed, or if key evidence is disputed.

When this happens, our car accident solicitors represent you throughout the process, handling all paperwork, building your case, and presenting evidence in court if required. Court proceedings are rare — but they can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

In the UK, the time it takes to settle a car accident claim depends on several factors, including how clear the evidence is, whether liability is admitted, and how severe your injuries are.

Simple car accident claims where fault is accepted could settle in a few months. More complex claims — for example, involving serious injuries or disputed liability — may take 12 months or longer.

Our panel of car accident solicitors always aim to settle claims as quickly as possible, while making sure your compensation reflects the full extent of your injuries and losses.

In the UK, the standard time limit to start a car accident claim — whether for personal injury or vehicle damage — is three years from the date of the accident.

This time limit applies under the Limitation Act 1980, meaning you must begin your claim within this period. There are some exceptions, such as for children or people lacking mental capacity, where longer time limits may apply.

If you’re unsure whether you’re still eligible to claim, our car accident solicitors can offer free advice and clarify your options.

If you’re making a claim through your own car insurance policy, you may need to pay your excess fee upfront before repairs or replacements are arranged. This is the amount agreed in your policy that you contribute towards the claim.

However, if you were not at fault for the accident, your excess fee can often be recovered from the other driver’s insurance as part of your car accident claim.

Our car accident solicitors can help you claim back your excess when pursuing compensation from the at-fault party. Always check with your insurer first, and contact us for advice on recovering any costs you’ve had to pay.

Yes, it is still possible to make a car accident claim against an uninsured driver or the driver of a stolen vehicle. If the driver responsible for your accident does not have insurance, your claim can usually be made through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) — an organisation that compensates victims of uninsured or untraced drivers in the UK.

At Legal Helpline, our panel of car accident solicitors regularly help clients claim compensation through the MIB. This process can cover personal injury, vehicle damage, and other related losses — even when the at-fault driver cannot pay.

If you’ve been injured by an uninsured driver, contact our team today for free advice on how to start your claim.

Yes, you can make a car accident claim if you were hit by a foreign vehicle in the UK. In most cases, these claims are handled through the UK-based Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which deals with accidents involving overseas drivers who are insured abroad.

If the foreign driver was at fault, our car panel of accident solicitors can help you claim compensation for your injuries, vehicle damage, and any other losses — even if the driver has since returned to their home country.

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