If you have been in a road traffic accident, or a motor vehicle injury claim, you can use our road traffic accident calculator to estimate the value of your claim. This is a free tool that works by asking you questions about the different factors of your claim. As such, it can provide a rough estimate of how much your settlement could be worth. We will explore this further throughout our guide.
Road traffic accident calculator claims guide
Additionally, we will explore the duty of care you’re owed as a road user and the accidents that could occur should someone fail to uphold their duty of care while navigating the roads. Also, this guide will explore when you might be eligible to claim.
Furthermore, we aim to provide guidance on the steps you could take should a road traffic accident occur, such as gathering evidence and seeking legal advice.
Our advisors are available to answer any questions that you may have about the claims process, this is a free service and you can speak to one of them by using the details below:
- Website: Contact us by filling out our online form
- Live chat: Talk to an advisor via the live chat feature below
- Phone: Call us on 0333 000 0729
Select A Section
- What Is A Road Traffic Accident Calculator?
- Why Do Road Traffic Accidents Happen?
- What Should You Do After A Road Traffic Accident?
- How Does A Road Traffic Accident Calculator Work?
- Check Our Road Traffic Accident Calculator
- Contact Our Claims Service
What Is A Road Traffic Accident Calculator?
A road traffic accident calculator is a tool that you can use to get an estimation of how much your claim is worth. You can use it before making a claim to help understand what you could be owed and the factors that may be considered when valuing your settlement.
However, you should also ensure you’re eligible to make a road traffic accident claim before doing so. In order to hold a valid claim, you must establish that another road user breached the duty of care they owed you and caused you harm as a result. This can include both physical and psychological harm.
All road users have a responsibility to act with care when navigating the roads. The different responsibilities for each road user is outlined in the Highway Code which gives both guidance and rules. Additionally, the Road Traffic Act 1988 outlines the different driving offences.
If they fail to uphold their duty of care, it could cause you to sustain harm. The harm you could sustain could vary in severity, which is one factor the calculator can take into consideration.
Contact us today for more information on how a road traffic accident calculator can help and to understand whether you’re eligible to seek compensation.
Why Do Road Traffic Accidents Happen?
Road traffic accidents, including a car accident, can happen for a large number of reasons, as there are many different factors that could contribute to an accident. Examples include:
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- Faulty vehicles – The vehicle has been insufficiently maintained. This can include a driver failing to get a regular MOT check.
- Bad weather – Weather including snow, ice, fog and heavy rain.
- Operating a vehicle under the influence– A driver that is in control of a vehicle is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Reckless driving – This could include speeding and texting while driving.
- Bad roads – This can include poor road conditions such as potholes, poor signage, poorly maintained roads, mud on the road and insufficient drainage.
A road user could be impacted in various ways after an accident on the road. For example, a driver may experience anxiety after a car accident due to the severity of the crash and the injuries they sustained.
You may be able to seek compensation for the way in which your injuries have impacted your quality of life if you hold a valid claim. This is something a road traffic accident calculator could consider when providing an estimate of how much your claim is worth.
UK Road Accident Statistics
According to the provisional report on reported road casualties in Great Britain in 2021, there were:
- 1,560 reported road deaths
- 27,300 killed or seriously injured casualties
- 127,967 casualties of all severities
What Should You Do After A Road Traffic Accident?
There are several steps you could take following a road traffic accident that has caused you harm. For example:
- Report the accident to the police, if applicable
- Get the appropriate professional medical treatment
- Note down any information of the incident
- Collect the contact details of any witnesses
- Take pictures of your injuries
- Collect medical evidence, such as doctor reports or hospital reports
Additionally, you could seek free legal advice from our advisors. They can assess whether your claim is valid. If it is, a solicitor from our panel could work with you on a No Win No Fee basis. They can also explain how to use a road traffic accident calculator.
Contact us for more information.
How Does A Road Traffic Accident Calculator Work?
As you begin your claim, you might be wondering about the amount of compensation you could be awarded. This is where a road traffic accident calculator can be useful. The calculator uses figures from the most recent edition of the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). It contains bracket compensation amounts that correspond to different injuries. The figures are based on past court cases but should only be used as a guide because different factors are considered when valuing claims.
Solicitors often use the JCG to help them value different types of claims including data breach compensation claims, personal injury, fatal accident at work claims, and accident at work compensation claims.
Also, the calculator may only provide a value for your injuries and may not be able to estimate the other losses incurred as a result of your injuries, such as financial expenses.
Furthermore, the Whiplash Reform Programme can apply to certain road traffic accidents. The introduction of the reforms meant that drivers and passengers of vehicles who are over the age of 18 with injuries valued at £5,000 or less must make their claim through the government portal. As such, their injuries are valued in accordance with the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021.
Check Our Road Traffic Accident Calculator
Settlements can comprise two heads of claim, these are known as general and special damages.
General damages compensate for the physical and psychological pain and suffering you have experienced due to your injuries. This head of claim is often calculated using the JCG alongside other resources such as medical evidence. We have used figures from the JCG to create the table below. The figures are not reflective of what you will receive though so only use them as a guide.
| Injuries | Compensation Bracket | Injury description |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate Brain damage: (c) (i) | £150,110 to £219,070 | There is an intellectual deficit and other issues. |
| Severe Neck injuries: (a) (iii) | £45,470 to £55,990 | Dislocations or fractures to the neck are some injuries covered in this bracket. |
| Chest injuries: (e) | £31,310 to £54,830 | Chest and lung damage with an ongoing disability. |
| Severe Injuries to the Pelvis and Hips: (a) (iii) | £39,170 to £52,500 | Injuries in this bracket include an acetabulum fracture that causes degenerative changes. |
| Severe Fractures to Fingers: (f) | Up to £36,740 | Fingers have been partially amputated and the result is a deformed hand with grip impairment. |
| Less Severe Arm injuries: (c) | £19,200 to £39,170 | A injury that has caused a significant disability but a significant recovery has been made. |
| Less Serious Leg injuries: (c) (i) | £17,960 to £27,760 | An incomplete recovery is made from fractures or serious soft tissue injuries. |
| Serious Shoulder injuries: (b) | £12,770 to £19,200 | Dislocation of the shoulder with damage to the brachial plexus,. |
| Moderate Back injuries: (b) (ii) | £12,510 to £27,760 | Injuries in this bracket include ligament disturbance and muscles. |
| Wrist injuries: (c) | £12,590 to £24,500 | Less severe injuries resulting in a permanent disability. |
You may also be able to receive special damages as part of your settlement which awards compensation for the financial losses incurred as a result of your injuries. Examples of these losses could include:
- Loss of income
- Cost of travel expenses
- Cost of childcare
- Home adaptations
You’ll have to provide some evidence to show that you have been affected financially. Evidence could come in the form of pay slips and invoices.
For more information on your compensation settlement, you can use our road traffic accident calculator. Alternatively, call our team for a free valuation of your claim.
Contact Our Claims Service
The solicitors on our panel can offer a No Win No Fee service known as a Conditional Fee Agreement. This is a way to help you fund legal representation. By using this type of arrangement, you can access the services provided by your solicitor whilst avoiding payment of an upfront fee. You also won’t need to pay for their services if your claim fails.
If your claim is successful, you would have to pay a success fee which is legally capped and is taken as a percentage from your compensation.
To find out whether you’re eligible to have a solicitor from our panel represent your claim, get in touch with our advisors. They can also discuss your claim in more detail. Get in touch using the details below:
- Website: Contact us by filling out our online form
- Live chat: Talk to an advisor via the live chat feature below
- Phone: Call us on 0333 000 0729
Learn More About Road Traffic Accident Claims
More articles on road traffic accident claims:
- Could I still claim for a road accident without a seat belt?
- How to claim through the motor insurers bureau for road traffic accident compensation
- How to claim compensation for road traffic accidents caused by animals
- Get more information on the whiplash injuries claims process with our helpful compensation claims guide.
- If you’ve suffered a broken tooth or teeth as a result of a car accident find out how you can claim in this guide.
We have also included some external resources that you may find helpful:
We hope this guide on using a road traffic accident calculator has helped. Call us if you need any other information.
Written by EW
Edited by MMI
