Injured in a road traffic accident that wasn't your fault?
We know a road traffic accident (RTA) can be an overwhelming experience, and if you're feeling worried about what happens next, you're not alone. The physical pain, emotional impact and disruption to your loved ones, work life and future can feel like a lot to handle. Whilst we can't change what's happened or how long recovery may take, we can help you take the first steps towards securing the road accident compensation you may be entitled to.
Can I make a road traffic injury claim?
If you've been injured in a traffic accident, you could be entitled to make a no win, no fee road accident injury claim. If you're not sure if you can make a claim, get in touch with our Helpline Advisors today on to see if you could receive compensation.
What counts as a road traffic accident?
A road traffic accident is any incident involving a vehicle on the road that causes injury or harm. This can include collisions between cars, but also accidents involving motorbikes, bicycles, pedestrians and passengers injured in a car, bus or coach.
In simple terms, if you were injured on the road because of a vehicle or another road user's actions, it is likely to count as a road traffic accident.
What does "road traffic accident that's not your fault” mean?
A road traffic accident that wasn't your fault means the accident happened because another road user acted negligently or failed to follow the rules of the road. This includes situations where another road user caused the collision or unsafe situation that led to your injury.
If what happened was entirely your responsibility, you will not be able to make any road traffic accident claims. However, each claim is reviewed case-by-case, so if you were only partly to blame, we may still be able to help you.
Who can make a road traffic accident compensation claim?
Traffic accident claims can be made by any road user who has been in an accident that's not their fault, including but not limited to:
Don't worry if your injury doesn't easily match these types, our Helpline Advisors will be able to talk you through whether you may be eligible to make a claim.
How long do I have to make a road accident compensation claim?
You'll typically have three years from the date of the incident to make a traffic accident compensation claim. Exceptions to the three-year time limit can include but is not limited to:
- If you were under 18 when the accident happened: If no claim was made on your behalf, you have three years from your 18th birthday to make a claim. Court proceedings must be started or the claim settled by your 21st birthday.
- If a loved one died in a road traffic accident: You'll typically have three years from the date of their death, or from when it was confirmed the accident caused their death. Within this 3-year period, the claim must either be resolved, or legal proceedings started.
- If the injured person lacks mental capacity (for example due to a serious brain injury): There is no time limit to make a claim while they lack capacity. If they later regain capacity, the three-year time limit begins from that point, even if capacity is lost again later. The claim must either be settled, or court proceedings started, in this timeframe. The mental capacity of a claimant is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The sooner you start the claim process, by getting in touch with us, the better. If you're unsure, call us for a free, impartial talk on and we'll let you know if you could make a no win, no fee road accident claim.
Types of road traffic accident claims we can help with
If you've been hurt by another's negligence, we can help you get the compensation needed to help you get your life back on track. We cover traffic accident claims including:
How long does a road accident claim take?
The time it takes to reach a settlement in a successful road accident injury claim can vary significantly. For minor injuries, where liability isn't disputed, claims can take as little as six months to settle - for more complex, life-changing injuries, the full completion of a claim can take years.
The timeframe for traffic accident claims is also affected by things like whether you know the identity of the other party involved and if they admit liability or challenge the claim in court.
How does a road traffic accident claims process works?
Making a claim for road traffic accident compensation is the last thing you want to be doing during your recovery. That's why we're here to provide you with the guidance you need to start your claim as pain free as possible. Here's how it works:
1. Get in touch
Contact us via our online claiming tool or by calling us on . We'll listen to your story and let you know if you have grounds to make a no win, no fee road accident claim. If you decide to proceed, we'll connect you with a solicitor firm from our trusted partner panel.
2. Share your details
Your road traffic solicitors, or legal team, will discuss your accident with you to get the details and ask you to provide evidence, such as photos, dashcam footage, medical details or witnesses.
3. Your legal team contacts the other party
Once they've gathered everything they need, your team will let the other party know that you intend to make a road accident injury claim.
4. Negotiations begin
If the other party accepts liability, your legal team will negotiate a compensation amount for you. If they deny responsibility or no agreement is reached, the claim may go to court (this only happens in a very small number of cases).
5. Claim outcome
If you win your claim, you'll be awarded road accident compensation, with your legal team taking an agreed percentage of this (capped at 35%) once your case is complete. If your claim isn't successful, you won't have to pay anything provided you've followed the terms and conditions of your agreement. This is because your case will be handled on a no win, no fee basis.
How we've helped people after road traffic accidents
We're one of the UK's largest and most trusted accident advice provider, with years_since experience counselling people hurt by someone else's negligence. Our Helpline Advisors have guided over two million people through this process, so we understand what you're going through and can help you claim the road accident compensation you're entitled to.
Why choose National Accident Helpline?
- Over years_since Years of Experience
- Regulated, Trusted and Transparent
- Support from first call to resolution
- Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot
What our clients say
How much can you expect to get from a car accident settlement?
How much you could be awarded depends on injury type, severity, recovery time and the financial impacts on your life. The ranges can be anywhere between £2,000 to £40,000 plus, depending on the type of injury.
The latest edition of guidelines from the Judicial College, part of the Ministry of Justice states compensation ranges of the following depending on the injury:
| Injury | Compensation range |
| Fractured cheekbone | £2,830 - £19,260 |
| Brain or head injury (minor) | £2,690 - £15,580 |
| Hip or pelvis injury (minor to moderate) | £4,820 - £47,810 |
| Fractured forearm | £8,060 - £23,430 |
| Back injury (moderate) | £15,260 - £47,320 |
| Shoulder injury (serious) | £15,580 - £23,430 |
| Ankle injury (moderate) | £16,770 - £32,450 |
| Neck injury (moderate) | £30,500 - £46,970 |
Source: Values are from the 17th and latest edition from the Judicial College guidelines, published in April 2024.
When you're claiming compensation for a road traffic accident, your no win, no fee solicitor firm will aim to recover compensation for any negative impact your injuries have had on you. These include things like:
- Time off work and loss of earnings.
- Future loss of income and effects on your job prospects.
- Any changes to your ability to work.
- Any travel costs you've incurred, for instance, attending treatment.
- The cost of any specialist treatment prescribed to you.
- Care or support you've received, even if given freely by family or friends.
- Any changes you might need to your home or vehicle as a direct result.
It's hard to say how much traffic accident claims may be worth before the process starts due to the varying factors involved. However, you'll get a clear idea of compensation ranges when your RTA solicitors or legal team starts negotiating with the other party.
If you're interested to see what compensation you could be owed before proceeding with a claim, why not try our road accident compensation calculator? It'll give you a rough idea about what compensation you could receive for your injury if your claim were successful.
Compensation Calculator
We’ll calculate your compensation in a few minutes.
Road Traffic Accident FAQs
What to do after a road traffic accident?
If you've been in a car accident and you're not sure what to do next, take these immediate steps:
- Stop your vehicle safely: Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Remember, it's a criminal offence to leave the scene of a road accident.
- Turn off the engine: If you're in a vehicle, turn off your engine and put your hazard lights to make sure other drivers can clearly see you.
- Check for injuries: Make sure everyone is safe and check whether anyone has been injured.
- Call emergency services if needed: If anyone involved has been injured or the road is blocked, call the police and an ambulance immediately on 999.
- Record minor accidents: Even when nobody has been hurt, note down the details of the accident. It's not uncommon for people to try and claim for an injury later.
- Stay calm and don't admit fault: Responsibility for the accident will be decided later by insurers or authorities.
For more information, check out our guide on what to do after a car accident.
Can I claim if a road traffic accident was partly my fault?
If you were only partly to blame for a road traffic accident, you still may be able to claim compensation. It's important to note that in cases of partial blame, the compensation you receive could be reduced.
If you're not sure if you can make a claim, call us on and our Helpline Advisors can provide free and impartial guidance.
What if I was injured as a passenger in a road traffic accident?
If you were injured as a passenger in a road accident, you can enquire about making a no win, no fee road accident compensation claim. Passengers are rarely responsible for causing an accident and are entitled to make a claim just like any other person involved. These claims are usually made against the driver or road user who caused the accident.
What road traffic injuries can I claim compensation for?
Road accident compensation claims can be made for a range of physical and psychological injuries, including but not limited to:
What is a "road traffic accident no win, no fee claim"?
A no win, no fee road accident claim means if you don't win your claim, you won't pay any legal fees, provided you followed the terms and conditions of your agreement. If your claim is successful, your legal team will take a fee, which they will explain to your ahead of time, (capped at 35%) from your compensation once the case is complete.
A no win, no fee claim means that if you lose, you'll not be protected from having to pay legal costs as long as you follow your solicitor's terms and conditions.
Can I make a road traffic injury claim for someone else?
Yes, you can claim on behalf of someone else, if they've been injured in an accident that wasn't their fault, including but not limited to:
- A person under the age of 18 at the time of the accident: Children under 18 cannot legally make a claim themselves. A parent or guardian can act as a litigation friend to manage the claim on their behalf. A claim can be started at any time before the child turns 18. If no claim is made during this time, they can usually start their own claim once they turn 18. From that point, they must either start court proceedings or settle the claim by their 21st birthday.
- A person who lacks the mental capacity to proceed with a claim: A family member, carer or guardian can act as a litigation friend to manage the claim for someone who cannot make decisions themselves. Mental capacity is assessed on a case-by-case basis. A claim can be made at any time while someone lacks capacity, but if capacity is regained the standard three-year limit applies from that date, even if capacity is lost again.
- In the event of a fatal accident: A claim can usually be made by the executor of the estate within three years of the person's death or from the date it was discovered that an accident or illness caused the death. Within this period, the claim must either be settled, or court proceedings have begun.
Will making a road accident claim mean a court appearance?
No, it's unlikely you'll need to go to court. Only about 5% of the claims we process result in a hearing in front of a judge. Even when a road traffic accident lawyer starts legal proceedings, should the other side deny or dispute liability, negotiations often succeed before the court date arrives. There are also many court hearings that are held without the need for you to attend.
Who pays your road traffic accident compensation?
Who pays compensation will depend on who caused the accident and whether they were insured at the time of the incident.
Accidents caused by another driver: If your accident was caused by another road user, compensation is normally paid by their insurance company. This means the driver responsible for your traffic accident won't be left with a bill they can't afford.
Accidents involving uninsured drivers: If the driver who caused the accident does not have insurance, you may still be able to claim compensation. In many cases, compensation is paid by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
The MIB was set up to compensate people injured by uninsured or untraceable drivers. All UK motor insurers are legally required to contribute to this scheme. This means that people injured by an uninsured or untraceable driver can claim the compensation they deserve.
Hit-and-run accidents: If a driver has driven off without stopping and you didn't have a chance to get their registration number, you may still be able to make a claim and in a successful case, the MIB will pay your compensation. In these cases, the accident will usually have been reported by the police.
These claims are handled differently, as the MIB investigates and instructs the medical expert. Your road traffic accident solicitor, or legal team, will help put together proof of your out-of-pocket expenses, advise upon the value of your claim and handle any appeals process where they disagree with the MIB's decisions.