Injury and accident claims
No two personal injury claims are the same, so we take extra care to listen to your unique circumstances from the very beginning. We'll support you throughout the injury and accident claims process to help you understand your options and make an informed decision about your personal injury case. With us, you can access professional and experienced personal injury solicitors that are right for your case - we can even help you start your injury and accident claim on a no win no fee basis to help reduce the financial risk of claiming.
No win no fee accident claims are designed to protect you from costs during your compensation claims, like legal fees. It means that if your claim doesn't succeed and you adhere to the terms and conditions of your agreement, the insurance will cover the costs and pay for itself, so you won't be left out of pocket.
Can you make an accident claim?
We understand that accidents on the road, in public, or at work can be traumatic and life-changing. An injury or illness resulting from an accident may have impacted your ability to work, caused financial strain, and damaged your mental health and well-being. If you've found yourself in this situation, National Accident Helpline is here to offer guidance, support, and impartial legal advice.
To find out if you're eligible to start a personal injury claim, or to find out more information, simply call our UK helpline on for a free eligibility check and impartial legal advice. Our experienced team is here to listen, and we can usually determine on the same call whether you can proceed with your injury and accident claim.
And don't worry, we'll never rush or pressure you to decide. Take your time and choose to proceed on your own terms, when you feel ready.
You can also try our online accident claim checker - a quick and easy way to find out if you may be able to claim based on your situation.
Typically, you may be able to make an injury and accident claim if:
- The accident occurred within the last three years
- It was someone else's fault
- You suffered an injury as a result that lasted longer than 2 weeks
Types of accident claims - am I eligible?
Types of accident claims: am I eligible?
To work out if your accident could qualify for compensation, it's a good starting point to know what types of accidents you can claim for. If any of the following accidents sound familiar, and your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you could be eligible to make a claim - it's best to call us to find out for certain. You could also claim on behalf of someone else if they suffered any of these accident types. They could be a child or, in some cases, someone who lacks the mental capacity to do so themselves.
Here are some examples of the hundreds of accident claims we handle daily:
Road Traffic Accidents
Road traffic accidents don't just involve drivers. you may also be eligible for compensation if you were injured as a cyclist, pedestrian, passenger, or on public transport. Road accidents and car accidents can be incredibly distressing no matter the circumstances, and our partner personal injury solicitors are here to settle your nerves, support you throughout your claim, and help you get fair compensation.
Accidents in Public
Slips, trips, falls, and other accidents in public places often aren't the injured individual's fault. Business owners and local public authorities are legally required to ensure your safety. If you've been injured due to a wet floor, uneven pavement, or other hazards, we can help determine who's responsible and ensure you have a thorough case ready to pursue your personal injury claim.
Work Accident Claims
Accidents at work are more common than they should be and can leave you injured, worried and out of pocket. If you've been involved in a work accident, whether in a warehouse, factory, construction site, or any workplace, your employer may be at fault if they've failed to meet their legal duty to provide a safe environment. If they've failed in this duty, resulting in your injury, we can help you pursue compensation through a work accident claim without it affecting your job. It's illegal to be fired or treated differently at work for making a work injury and accident claim. Contact us for impartial, expert legal advice at .
Personal Injury Types
The type of injury you've suffered depends on the circumstances of the accident. From burn injuries to sprains or broken bones, personal injury and accident claims can cover a wide range of medical conditions and serious injuries. Regardless of how you were injured, if someone else's negligence was involved, you may be able to claim compensation. If you think you've been injured or have developed a condition through no fault of your own, get in touch to find out if you may have a claim.
Areas of Injury
In accidents like road traffic collisions, motorcycle crashes, or work-related incidents, injuries to the head, brain, neck, limbs and back are common. These can be serious and life-changing injuries and can have long-lasting effects on your physical and mental health. Learn more about how to claim compensation for a specific area of injury in our dedicated sections.
What is the average payout for injury accident claims?
What is the average payout for injury accident claims?
We look at each case on an individual basis and your compensation payout will depend on many factors. We take an individual approach to ensure you receive the full compensation you're entitled to. For this reason, we can't provide an exact payout figure before reviewing your case. But our compensation calculator can give you an estimated idea of what you might expect to receive.
When you make an injury and accident claim, your legal team will carefully assess how the injury or illness has affected you, both physically and emotionally, and the broader impact it has had on your life and family. This ensures that your personal injury claim accounts for all aspects of your suffering caused by an accident that wasn't your fault.
When calculating the level of compensation you should be entitled to, your legal team will consider:
- The pain and suffering caused by your injury
- The location, severity and duration of the injury
- The impact the injury has had on your daily life
- Lost earnings due to time off work
- Medical costs, including treatment, medication, and rehabilitation
- Care received, whether provided professionally or by family members
- Any other out of pocket expenses that you can provide proof of
The Judicial College—a department of the Ministry of Justice—sets compensation guidelines for various types of injuries, helping to ensure fairness in injury and accident claims. Below are examples from the moderate categories of the 17th edition of these guidelines. However, your personal injury solicitor or legal team will provide more detailed information based on the specific circumstances of your personal injury case.
| Injury | Guide Amount |
| Minor brain or head injury | £18,700 - £110,720 |
| Neck Injury | £2,990 - £30,500 |
| Mild tinnitus to total deafness | £14,300 - £171,680 |
| Whiplash | £240 - £4,345 (depending on recovery duration up to 2 years) |
| Shoulder injury | £9,630 - £15,580 |
| Back injury | £15,260 - £47,320 |
| Hip or pelvis injury | £15,370 - £47,810 |
| Fractured arm | £8,060 - £47,810 |
| Wrist injury | £4,310 - £29,900 |
| Hernia | £4,140 - £29,490 |
| Ankle injury | £16,770- £32,450 |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | £9,980 - £28,250 |
Try our compensation calculator for an estimate of how much you could claim.
Why make an accident claim?
Why make an accident claim?
You may need to take time off work after your injury, which could be a long time depending on the severity of your injuries, and that can lead to money worries.
Time off is important for your recovery, and you shouldn't feel rushed into getting back to work before you're ready or able to, but you may have lost earnings as a result. This is why compensation is so important. Your legal team will aim to recover all your lost earnings and costs of time off work when building your injury and accident claim. Compensation may also cover rehabilitation, medical expenses, transport costs, and any modifications you've had to make to your home due to the injury.
Not only is the compensation beneficial for recovery, but the act of raising a claim reinforces justice for you and can protect others. You have the right to claim and your claim will hold those at fault accountable and can help prevent future repeat accidents from happening to others.
If you're not sure if you should make a claim, it's worth talking to our advisors who can give you some more information to help you decide.
How do I claim for an accident?
How do I claim for an accident?
Your first step is to find out if you're eligible to make a claim. You can do this by starting your claim online but it's best to ring our free helpline for injury and accident claims. It's UK-based and free of charge - simply dial .
Our friendly advisors can help you understand if you could be eligible to make an accident claim and they'll talk you through the next steps if you decide you'd like to continue.
Then, with your permission, we can connect you to the right legal team of accident specialists who have the experience to match your case. Your legal team will represent you throughout the claim and work to prove that the other party was at fault for your accident to get you a fair settlement of compensation. They'll work to gather medical evidence, witness statements and more to build a robust case. Depending on the incident that caused your injuries, this may involve proving that:
- Safety inspections were neglected
- Pathways or aisles were not kept clear of hazards
- Laws or regulations were ignored or breached
- Negligence occurred, such as a driver not paying attention
As one of the UK's leading personal injury companies, we're ready to help you. We're equipped with partner personal injury solicitors and friendly helpline advisors to get you the legal help you need from the very start of your claim journey. Most claims can be made on a no win no fee basis to minimise your financial risk when claiming. We know you've been through enough, and we're here to provide peace of mind during this difficult time. Find out more about no win no fee claims, or contact us today to learn more.
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 case is different, which means there's no hard or fast rule as to what makes an accident claim successful. Sufficient evidence is required to prove fault and recency of the accident can sometimes help a claim succeed. The best way to find out if your case would likely be successful is to get in touch with our free injury and 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
Is there a time limit on making an accident claim?
Is there a time limit on making an accident claim?
If you suffer an accident or illness, it's important to know that you generally have 3 years from the date of the incident or diagnosis to make a personal injury claim. This period is often referred to as the "limitation period." It's best to claim as soon as possible so your memory is fresh, and evidence is recent and easier to gather.
You could claim compensation for most accidents that happened to you up to 3 years ago but in some cases, this time frame could be longer or shorter. For example, when claiming on behalf of children, you can claim at any point before the child's 18th birthday and after turning 18, they have until age 21 to make their own claim. Or, for accidents abroad, time limits vary by country so it's best to contact us as soon as possible to start your claim in good time.
Other Limitation Periods that might be relevant to you are:
- Claims on behalf of children: You can claim at any point before the child's 18th birthday. After turning 18, they have until age 21 to make their own claim.
- Mental capacity: There are no time limits for claims made on behalf of someone who cannot manage their own case.
- Fatal claims: If you're making a claim on behalf of a loved one, you have three years from the date of their passing, or from the date you discovered an accident or illness was the cause.
- Accidents on boats or ships: After an accident on a cruise, ferry, or cargo ship, you typically have two years from the date you left the vessel or from the date of injury.
- International flights: For accidents on international flights, you have two years from your arrival at the final destination, including incidents after passport control.
- Domestic flights: You must claim within two years of the flight landing.
- Accidents/illnesses abroad: Time limits vary by country, so please contact us as soon as possible to get specific information.
Small claims personal injury and whiplash law changes
In May 2021, the government brought in an updated tariff in an attempt to support insurance companies by limiting the level of compensation award paid out for some whiplash claims following an RTA in a vehicle. Unfortunately, this tariff may drastically affect how much compensation is awarded to some individuals who have suffered from soft tissue injuries through no fault of their own, but vulnerable road user claims and workplace accident claims remain unaffected by these changes.
Key tariff rules to note are:
- 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 small claims.
- People now have the option to make a small road traffic accident claim themselves online. About 10% of claimants choose this route, but without the support of a solicitor, there are often complications with overvaluing mixed injuries.
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. Speak with your legal team to learn more about how these regulations may impact your personal injury claim and whiplash injury.
Start your injury compensation claim today
If you think you are entitled to claim for an accident that wasn't your fault, find out by calling our accident claim helpline on . If your incident meets the criteria for a claim, we can put you in touch with the very best injury claim specialists and they will do everything they can to help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.