Injury and accident claims
No two personal injury claims are ever the same. If you've been hurt in an accident that wasn't your fault, we may be able to help you make a no win no fee compensation claim.
Can you make an accident claim?
We understand that accidents on the road, in public or at work can be traumatic experiences. Not only can they cause serious and life-changing injuries, but they can impact your ability to return to work, prove harmful to your finances and damage your mental health and wellbeing.
At National Accident Helpline, we're here to try and help you through the difficult periods that follow such an incident. We understand you've already been through enough - and that's why finding out if making an accident claim with us is easy.
All you have to do is call our accident claims advice helpline free on .
We're here to listen. We'll usually be able to let you know on the same call whether we think you can claim for an accident too.
But don't worry - there's no rush or pressure when you contact us. You can decide if you'd like to go ahead with your accident claim in your own time and in your own way.
If you don't feel ready to speak to us about your situation, try our online accident claim checker. It's a quick and easy way of finding out if you can claim for an accident based on your answers to some simple questions.
We generally advise that you may be able to make a claim if:
- Your accident happened in the last three years
- It was someone else's fault
- You were injured as a result
Types of accident claims - am I eligible?
Types of injury and accident claims: am I eligible?
Sometimes it can be reassuring to know other people have successfully made a claim for accidents similar to yours. You can also claim on behalf of someone else if, for example, they are under the age of 18 or lack the mental capacity to do so themselves.
Below are some examples of the types of accident claims we have experience working with. Don't worry if your accident type is missing from our list - it's likely we can still help you.
Road traffic accidents
You might think of road traffic accidents as incidents involving two or more drivers.
While they form a portion of accidents on the road, we're also able to help you claim for an accident and get compensation if you're a cyclist, pedestrian or even a passenger on public transport.
Road accidents can be very shocking. We're here to help you make it right.
Accidents in public
It's easy to think a slip, trip or fall in a public place was your own fault. But the reality is that owners of businesses and public spaces have a responsibility to make sure you're safe.
Slips, trips and falls can be caused by wet floors, uneven paving, cracked flooring, unexpected obstacles and more.
It's not always clear who's fault your injury is. But we're here to help you and - as a leading accident specialist - we can help you understand who's responsible for your fall.
Accident at work
Accidents at work can be very stressful and can cause painful injuries. Regardless of your injury, you should be able to trust your employer to make sure you're safe in your working environment.
Whether you work in an office, factory or construction site, your employer has a duty of care to keep you safe. If they've failed in their duty of care, then you've been put at risk.
If you've been injured in an accident at work and it feels wrong, we can help you make it right. Get in touch with us for free, impartial advice via our accident advice helpline: .
Personal injury types
The types of injury suffered depend on the circumstances and severity of the accident. Working around chemicals can cause burn injuries. Working in a noisy environment without the right protection can result in hearing loss. Road traffic accidents can cause a range of injuries, from minor cuts and wounds to fractures, breaks and those that are life-changing.
However you've been hurt, if it was down to someone else's negligence then we may be able to help you.
Areas of injury
No part of the body is safe in an accident. However, things like head, brain, neck and spine injuries are to be expected in road traffic accidents, motorcycle accident claims and some work-related or falling incidents. Learn more about claiming for an accident of this type in our area of injury section.
Why make an accident claim?
Why make an accident claim?
You may need to take time off work after your injury and this can lead to money worries - especially if you've suffered a serious injury.
You shouldn't feel rushed into getting back to work before you're ready. That's why your solicitor will aim to cover the costs of time off work when putting together your accident claim.
Your compensation could also pay for rehabilitation, transport and travel costs - as well as any alterations you've had to make to your home.
As one of the UK's leading accident claim companies, nearly all claims through us are made on a no win no fee basis too. It means there's no financial risk to you when making a claim. You've been through enough, so we offer peace of mind knowing that - if your claim isn't successful - you won't have to pay your solicitor's fees.
How do I claim for an accident?
How do I claim for an accident?
Your first step is to ring our helpline for accident claims. It's UK-based and free of charge - dial .
Our advisors can help you understand if you can claim and can take you through the next steps if you decide you'd like to continue.
Then, with your permission, we can put you forward to the right accident specialist to suit your case. Your solicitor will work to prove that somebody else was at fault for your accident. It often involves showing the other party (the one responsible) failed in their 'duty of care' to you.
This could be because somebody:
- Failed to inspect the equipment you use as part of your job
- Failed to keep pathways or aisles clear of obstacles or tripping hazards
- Acted negligently, ignoring laws and regulations put in place to keep you safe
- Didn't pay attention while driving
Frequently asked questions...
In most circumstances for adults who were 18 years old or over at the time, it's essential that you (or your legal representation) issue proceedings within three years of the accident or incident.
Where the injured person was under 18 years old when it occurred, that three-year limitation period expires on their 21st birthday.
If you don't issue your claim within these time limits, you won't usually be able to proceed. This is called being 'time-barred'. There are some certain situations where the time limits can be extended. Check with one of our advisors or a solicitor.
The figures show it's pretty unlikely. The vast majority of personal injury compensation claims are settled without a Hearing in front of a Judge.
In most cases, your legal representatives negotiate with the other side (usually their insurance company) to reach a satisfactory compensation award and that's that.
Where the other side accepts liability from the start, the process is quick - perhaps a couple of months. This can be known as non-fault accident compensation. If the other side denies or disputes liability (for instance where the blame is shared), a negotiated settlement is still possible.
On rare occasions where negotiations fail without agreement, then a Court Hearing is needed.
By talking to an expert accident claim company at the earliest available moment. We can give you all the initial free advice you need to help you make the right decision. If you want to go ahead with the claim, we'll then put you in touch with an experienced and trusted firm in our nationwide network of approved legal practices.
Provided they can take on your claim under no win no fee arrangements - as is the case in all but the most exceptional circumstances - there are no up-front costs. Your solicitor may need to take out special legal protection insurance for you, which pays the costs if your claim fails, and ensures claiming is risk free. The cost of this is only taken if you win your case. You'll never have to pay anything upfront and there are no hidden charges, so you'll never be out of pocket.
If your accident claim is successful you'll be asked to pay any costs and expenses, not paid for by the other side, from your compensation. We guarantee you'll never pay more than 35% of your damages.
What makes an accident claim successful?
Each individual case is different, which means there's no hard or fast rule as to what makes an accident claim successful. The best way to find out is to get in touch with our free accident claims helpline on .
Beryl Shave, 70, tripped over an unmarked, broken post in a supermarket car park
I grazed my hand, hit my leg below the knee and bashed my shoulder. My daughter suggested I make a no win no fee claim. It was all very easy
Julie Maddocks suffered severe burns on her hands
I was unable to use my hands, couldn't put my jeans on, couldn't cook and became nervous of open flames. A friend told me about National Accident Helpline and the service was really good. I was put in touch with a solicitor and saw a burns specialist.
Charlotte's partner claimed after she injured her arm and leg
It was no hassle from my point of view. I wasn't expected to go very far for appointments, all the specialists were local, which is important being disabled. It couldn't have been handled better.
Russell Wincott, 26, received £6,400 after a road accident
National Accident Helpline were the only ones who could point me in the right direction
Russell Wincott dislocated his wrist and suffered a complicated fracture following an accident
There was an 80% chance I would never use my wrist again, the consultant was worried. It was scary. The compensation made things easier. I paid for the physio out of the claim, which the solicitors organised for me. It also paid for the six weeks I was off work
Small claims personal injury and whiplash law changes
Claiming for small personal injuries sustained from a road traffic accident is now subject to new rules introduced on 31st May 2021. In response to high numbers of whiplash claims, the government brought in an updated tariff to ensure compensation awards are in line with injury duration, reducing the number and costs of false claims. Because of this, we will likely see a reduction in motor insurance premiums. The new rules 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.
Many claims will be unaffected by the changes. These rules do not apply when claiming for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.), medical negligence, accidents in a public place, or accidents at work.
What is the average pay-out for injury accident claims?
What is the average pay-out for injury accident claims?
We look at each case on an individual basis. This is because we want to make sure you can get the full amount of compensation you're entitled to.
Every case is different, so we can't tell you how much you can claim before starting. But you can try our compensation calculator to get an idea of how much you might receive.
Your solicitor will consider the pain and suffering your injury has caused, as well as the effect it has had on your life and family as a whole.
When putting together your accident claim, they'll look to get you compensation to cover:
- The pain you experienced because of your injury
- The impact your injury has had on your life
- Your lost earnings from taking time off work
- Medical costs including treatment and medication
- Any care you received, even if given for free by a family member
However, the Judicial College is the department of the Ministry of Justice that sets the ranges of compensation for all types of accident injury. Here are some examples below from the 15th edition of the judicial guidelines. Your accident specialist will be able to explain this in more detail based on the circumstances of your injury claim.
| Injury | Guide amount |
| Minor brain or head injury | £2,070 - £11,980 |
| Fractured cheekbone | £2,180 - £9,570 |
| Mild tinnitus to total deafness | £10,040 - £87,410 |
| Whiplash | £240 - £4,345 (with recovery in 1-2 years) |
| Serious shoulder injury | £11,980 - £18,020 |
| Back injury causing permanent symptoms | £11,730 - £26,050 |
| Hip or pelvis injury | £3,710 - £24,950 |
| Fractured forearm | £6,190 - £18,020 |
| Wrist injury | £3,310 - £44,690 |
| Hernia | £3,180 - £13,970 |
| Ankle injury | £12,900 - £46,980 |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | £3,710 - £56,180 |
Is there a time limit on making an accident claim?
Is there a time limit on making an accident claim?
In most cases, you will have three years from the date of the incident to claim for an accident. If you think you're nearing this deadline, please get in touch with us via our accident claims helpline as soon as possible so we can still help you.
But if your accident caused a brain injury, you were in a coma or lacked the mental capacity for any other reason, you may have longer than the usual three years to make your accident claim.
Under 18 years of age at the time of the incident? You have until your 21st birthday to claim for an accident, as long as a parent or guardian did not claim for you before you turned 18.
If you think you are entitled to claim for an accident that wasn't your fault, please feel free to get in touch with us via our accident claim helpline on . We can put you in touch with the very best injury claim specialists if we think you have a case - and they will do everything they can to help you through what we know can be a traumatic time.