How long do car crash claims take?
We know that being in a road traffic accident can be a traumatic experience to process, and if you’ve been involved in a car crash that wasn’t your fault, you’ll need support through this tricky time. Our guide is here to support you with the legal advice you need to navigate compensation.
Whether you’ve been left with physical injuries, emotional trauma, or financial challenges, a car crash claim is the most efficient way to seek justice for your losses. But how long do car crash claims take?
Read on for expert knowledge from the team at Tylers Solicitors. Our experienced car crash solicitors are here to help you get your payout as soon as possible following your claim.
How long does a car crash claim take to process in the UK?
The duration of a car crash claim can vary depending on how complex or severe your accident was.
Straightforward Road Traffic Accident (RTA) claims for minor injuries generally take around 4-9 months to resolve. These cases usually offer lower compensation amounts and are quicker to finalise due to the lower quantity of evidence needed.
For more complex cases of RTAs resulting in moderate to severe injuries, claims could take anywhere from 12 to 18 months — or sometimes even longer.
How long does each stage of making a car crash claim take?
As you can see, all RTA claims have different timelines depending on the circumstances. However, this basic car crash claim timeline should provide you with ballpark figures on each stage of the process.
- Initial consultation and claim submission: 1-2 weeks
- Liability investigation: 2-6 months
- Medical assessments and evidence gathering: 3-12 months
- Negotiation and settlement: 4-12 months
- Court proceedings (if necessary): 12-36 months
What factors affect the duration of a car crash claim?
After 14 years in the field, we know that no two car crashes are the same. With this in mind, there are multiple factors that can influence how long it takes to resolve a car crash claim.
- The severity of your injuries
If you suffer minor RTA injuries, such as whiplash or soft tissue damage, you can usually expect a fairly quick settlement. Theses types of injuries tend to require less evidence and fewer medical assessments, particularly if they are short term.
On the other hand, severe RTA injuries, like broken bones, spinal injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries, require detailed medical reports and prognosis documents, extending the process.
Car crash claims involving long-term rehabilitation or permanent disability may take years to resolve, depending on the evidence needed.
- If there is a liability dispute
Sometimes, there can be a disagreement over who is at fault. Investigating which party is liable for the car crash can make the car crash claim process longer, as evidence like witness statements, CCTV footage, and police reports will need to be gathered.
- How long it takes to gather evidence
Evidence isn’t just about liability, either. It can be time-consuming to comb through lots of time combing through other evidence to ensure that you are eligible for a particular amount and that the settlement is fair.
If you make a car crash claim with our personal injury solicitors, we’ll always help you gather your evidence for a smooth claims process with minimal delays.
- Whether all parties cooperate
Car crash claims can involve many parties, including insurers, solicitors, witnesses, and victims. Timely responses from these parties can help speed up the process.
How much compensation can you get for a car crash?
The amount of compensation you could receive from a car crash claim depends on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
RTA accident injuries range from minor to serious, and you could receive compensation amounts as varied as £240 for Grade 1 whiplash to tens of thousands for the wrongful death of a loved one.
For more specific RTA payout amounts with injury examples, head over to our dedicated car crash claims page.
In any car crash claim, you can rest assured that our solicitors will do everything possible so you can receive the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
Let our solicitors secure the justice you deserve
Regardless of the car crash claims timeline, having the right legal team behind you can make all the difference.
At Tylers Solicitors, we specialise in road traffic accident claims and are committed to helping victims across the UK win the compensation they need to move on. We’ll handle every step of your RTA claim with efficiency and empathy.
Contact us today to start your car crash claim with an expert team supporting you every step of the way.
