Car accident lawyers

You'll have 3 years from the date of your accident to make a claim or start court proceedings with a car accident injury lawyer. This is known as the limitation period and may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident. For example:

• If you're claiming on behalf of a child: They have 3 years from their 18th birthday to make a claim, with proceedings needing to start before they turn 21 if no claim was made earlier.
• If you're claiming following a fatal car accident: You'll usually have 3 years from the date of death, or from when it was confirmed the accident caused the death.
• If you're claiming on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity: There is no time limit whilst they lack capacity; if capacity is regained, the 3-year period begins from that point, even if they lose capacity again.

If you're considering making a claim, it's best to start as soon as possible after an accident, whilst the details are still fresh in your mind, as this will help your car accident solicitors build the strongest case.

The first consultation with a car crash lawyer will be a conversation about your accident, how it happened and the injuries you've suffered. It can feel like a lot to go through, and some of the questions may feel personal, but this information helps them give the best possible assessment of your claim. The information they could ask for includes:

• Details of your accident: You'll be asked to explain what happened in the accident in your own words, including when and where it took place and how it happened.
• The other party: Your car crash lawyer will discuss who may be at fault and assess whether another party can be held legally responsible.
• Injuries: You'll discuss any injuries you sustained, including how severe they are and how they've affected your daily life.
• Financial loss: You may be asked about any costs or losses you've experienced, such as loss of earnings, medical expenses, travel costs or other out-of-pocket expenses.
• Terms and conditions: If you decide to proceed, the solicitor will explain how the process works, including the terms of a no win, no fee agreement.
• Next steps: They'll outline what happens next, which may include gathering evidence, arranging medical reports and notifying the other party of your claim.

You can help your car accident solicitor or legal team by providing all the information you have about the accident and gathering as much evidence as possible. This includes:

• The name, address, vehicle registration and contact details of the other driver
• Key accident details, such as the date, time, location and weather conditions
• Details of your injuries, including any photos or medical reports
• A record of how your injuries have affected your daily life
• Any photos or videos from the accident, including dashcam footage

Most importantly, being honest and accurate throughout the process will help your car accident solicitors handle your claim efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

If you've just had a car accident, read our guide on what to do immediately after a car accident to find out steps to take, details to exchange and what evidence to collect.

In car accident cases involving minor injuries and a quick recovery, claims can take around 6 to 24 months to settle. More complex cases involving serious or multiple injuries can take over 3 years.

No two personal injury claims are the same. Your legal team or car accident injury lawyer will usually be able to give you a clearer timeframe of how long your claim will take once they have reviewed the evidence, assessed your injuries and begun negotiations with the other party.

If you're concerned about the timeframe, interim payments may be available in longer-running cases to help cover ongoing expenses along the way, so you don't have to worry about being out of pocket whilst your claim is ongoing.

Solicitors for car accidents can still help you make a claim, even if the other driver was uninsured or did not stop to share their details. In these cases, the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) would cover the cost of compensation. They were set up to ensure victims of accidents involving untraceable or uninsured drivers still get the compensation they deserve.

You may still be able to work with a lawyer for car accidents even if you were partly responsible. Your compensation would typically be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.

Every case is different. If you're not sure if you're eligible to claim, call our Helpline Advisors on . They'll listen to what happened and be able to assess what your options are.

Yes, small personal injury and whiplash claims can be made through car accident lawyers, and many people choose to do so for support throughout the process. Since the 2021 small claims reforms, whiplash compensation is now set by fixed tariffs based on the severity and duration of the injury. You can also make a claim online yourself without a lawyer.

We would still recommend getting legal support as the claiming process can be complex, with strict rules around evidence, procedure and valuation. If you have suffered other injuries, these are assessed based on the Judicial College Guidelines and past cases, which can be complicated to evaluate on your own.

In the event your claim goes to court, legal representation can also help secure a more accurate and often higher settlement than early offers. It's also worth noting that some solicitors may be unwilling to take on a case if you have already started proceedings without legal representation.

You do not have to use the car accident law firm recommended by your insurance company, and in most cases, you are free to choose your own solicitor. Some insurance policies include panel solicitors, meaning your insurer may suggest one of their approved firms. You are under no obligation to use the recommended firm and should always choose legal representation you feel comfortable with.