Road traffic accident claims

What's usually covered by compensation?

Each claim is unique to the person involved. How much you could be awarded depends on injury type, severity, recovery time and the financial impacts on your life. This means road traffic accident compensation amounts often vary.

Generally, our no win no fee solicitors 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.
• 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.
• Any travel costs you've incurred, for instance attending treatment.
• The cost of any specialist treatment prescribed to you not available via the NHS.

As there are so many factors involved, it's hard to say how much your road traffic accident compensation claim may be worth before it starts. However, you'll get a clear idea when your traffic accident solicitor starts negotiating with the other side's insurers. We have more than 25 years' road traffic accident experience so why not try our compensation calculator? It'll give you a rough idea about what to expect in a successful claim.

What are early compensation payments?

Early compensation payments are also known as interim or immediate needs payments. They're paid to people who need early financial help before their compensation claim is settled. This could be for several reasons. Usually it's when the road traffic accident injuries sustained are so serious that they leave people in real difficulty.

Early payments could cover the cost of housing your family somewhere near where you're being treated. They might be made to cover rent, mortgage or other bills because you're on reduced or statutory sick pay.

If you're unable to cover the financial aftermath of your injury, your solicitor will work to secure early compensation payments for you. They'll do this while also negotiating your final road traffic accident settlement.

For more information, call us free on . Alternatively, check if you have a potential claim online or book a call-back with us.

Who pays your road traffic accident compensation?

Traffic accidents caused by another motorist

If your accident was caused by another motorist driving any kind of vehicle on a public road, the compensation will be paid by their insurance company. This means the driver responsible for your road traffic accident won't be left with a bill they can't afford.

Traffic accidents involving uninsured drivers

If your road accident injury was caused by an uninsured driver, you may still be able to make a compensation claim. Successful injury claims made against an uninsured driver will be paid by the Motor Insurer's Bureau (MIB).

The MIB estimates that more than 26,000 people are injured and around 130 people are killed in traffic accidents with uninsured drivers each year. That's around 16% of all annual road casualties in the UK.

The MIB was set up to compensate drivers involved in a range of problematic road accident types. All UK-based motor insurance companies are legally required to pay into the MIB each year. This means that people who are injured by an uninsured or untraceable driver are able to claim the compensation they deserve.

Hit and run traffic accidents

It's frustrating and upsetting when someone refuses to face the consequences of a road accident they caused. Even more so if you or a passenger has been injured as a result.

The other vehicle may have driven off without stopping and you didn't have a chance to get their registration number. The driver might be unlicenced or the vehicle may even have been stolen when it hit you. In a successful claim, the MIB will pay your compensation in these circumstances.

Accidents caused by poor road conditions

Poor or damaged road and pavement surfaces are a hazard. Potholes, cracks and broken or loose surfaces can easily cause a traffic accident.

Someone is responsible for every stretch of public road or pavement in the country. All have a duty to keep them safe to use. If your road accident was caused by a badly-maintained surface, then Highways England or the local council responsible will pay your compensation in a successful claim. 

Road traffic collisions with pets or livestock

Accidentally colliding with any animal can be a deeply distressing experience. To have grounds for a personal injury claim if you were hurt in the incident, the law is clear:

• The animal must have been a domestic pet or farmer's livestock.
• You must be able to show that the owner was at fault for your accident and the injuries you suffered.

There are specific animals that if hit, the law says you must report the incident to the police. It's a criminal offence not to do so. Those animals are:

• Cows or cattle
• Dogs
• Donkeys or mules
• Goats
• Horses
• Pigs
• Sheep

If the animal survives the impact, always do your best to contact a vet for assistance if you are able.

Road traffic collisions with wild animals

This happens more than you might think. The UK is home to around 1.5 million wild deer. According to Scottish Natural Heritage, there are around 9,000 collisions with deer on roads north of the border every year. Deer are heavy and can do serious damage if struck. On average, around 65 of these road traffic incidents will result in injury to drivers or passengers.

Such accidents are not just limited to the countryside. The growth of green spaces in our cities are attracting wild animals into our urban areas.

• As no-one is responsible for wild animals, there's no potentially negligent owner.
• That means there are no grounds for a claim.