Road Traffic Accident Claims
Being involved in a road traffic accident can leave you dealing with injuries, financial pressure and uncertainty about what happens next. If the accident was not entirely your fault, you may be able to make a road traffic accident claim, and the team at Tylers Solicitors can help you understand your options from the very beginning.
Our road traffic accident solicitors support drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians and other road users across the UK. Whether you were injured in a minor collision or suffered serious road traffic accident injuries, we can guide you through the claims process on a No Win No Fee basis.
- You usually have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim
- You may still be able to claim if you were partly at fault
- You can claim if the other driver was uninsured or left the scene
- Compensation may cover injuries, lost earnings, vehicle damage, medical costs and more
- No Win No Fee means there are no upfront legal fees to start your claim
Can You Make A Road Traffic Accident Claim?
You may be able to make a road traffic accident claim if another road user caused the accident or contributed to it through negligent driving.
This includes accidents involving:
- Drivers
- Passengers
- Cyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Pedestrians
- Taxi or bus passengers
Most road traffic accident claims must be started within three years of the accident date. There are exceptions to this rule, including claims involving children and people who do not have the mental capacity to manage their own claim.
You do not need to have suffered catastrophic injuries to make a claim. Many successful road traffic accident compensation claims involve whiplash injuries, fractures, soft tissue injuries, psychological trauma and ongoing pain following a collision.
Speak to a Tylers RTA solicitor today. Call us on 0800 699 0079 or fill in our online contact form.
What Does “Not Your Fault” Mean For An RTA Claim?
Many people wrongly assume they cannot claim because they may have contributed to the accident in some way. In reality, road traffic accident claims are often more nuanced than that.
If another driver failed to take reasonable care on the road and their actions caused or contributed to the accident, you may still have a valid claim. This is known as negligence.
Examples include:
- Failing to give way
- Driving too fast for road conditions
- Using a mobile phone while driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence of drink or drugs
- Failing to stop in time
Even if you were partly responsible, you may still be eligible for compensation through what is known as contributory negligence. For example, if another driver pulled out in front of you but you were also driving slightly above the speed limit, compensation could still be awarded, although it may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.
What Can You Claim Compensation For After A Road Traffic Accident?
Road traffic accident compensation is not limited to the injury itself. A successful claim may include compensation for the wider impact the accident has had on your life, finances and recovery.
Compensation is normally split into two parts.
General Damages
General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injury itself. This may include:
- Whiplash injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Fractures
- Head and brain injuries
- Psychological injuries such as anxiety, PTSD or travel phobias
- Soft tissue injuries
- Serious long term injuries
Special Damages
Special damages cover financial losses and expenses linked to the accident. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
- Loss of earnings
- Future loss of earnings
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Medical treatment expenses
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy costs
- Travel expenses
- Care and assistance costs
- Hire car charges
- Insurance excess payments
Psychological injuries are often overlooked after a collision, especially where symptoms develop gradually. Anxiety about driving, panic attacks and post traumatic stress can all form part of a road accident compensation claim where supported by medical evidence.
What can I claim for following a road traffic collision?
How Much Compensation Can You Claim After A Road Traffic Accident?
The amount of road traffic accident compensation you may receive depends on the severity of your injuries, how long recovery takes and the financial impact the accident has had on your life.
Compensation for injuries is usually valued using the Judicial College Guidelines, currently the 17th edition published in April 2024, alongside medical evidence and financial losses.
Whiplash Compensation
Since the Civil Liability Act reforms introduced in May 2021, many low value whiplash claims involving drivers and passengers are subject to a fixed tariff system.
Current whiplash tariff awards range from around £240 for injuries lasting up to three months to £4,215 for whiplash injuries with minor psychological symptoms lasting up to 24 months.
Soft Tissue & Minor Orthopaedic Injuries
Minor neck, shoulder, back and soft tissue injuries may attract compensation from several hundred pounds into the low thousands depending on recovery time and severity.
Fractures & More Serious Injuries
More significant injuries such as broken bones, pelvic injuries, spinal injuries and serious psychological trauma can result in substantially higher awards, especially where surgery, rehabilitation or long term recovery is involved.
Serious Road Traffic Accident Injuries
Claims involving brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations or permanent disability are often significantly more complex and may require future care, specialist treatment and interim payments during the claim.
Final settlement values depend on both the injury itself and wider financial losses. You can also use our compensation calculator for a rough estimate before speaking with our
Types Of Road Traffic Accident Claims We Handle
Car Crash Claims
Our team regularly handles car crash claims involving rear end collisions, junction accidents, lane change collisions and serious multi vehicle accidents. Injuries can range from whiplash and fractures through to long term spinal and head injuries.
Car Passenger Claims
You may still be able to claim if you were injured as a passenger, even if the driver was a friend or family member. Our car passenger claims team can help you understand how these cases work and who the claim is made against.
Bus Passenger Claims
Sudden braking, unsafe driving and collisions involving public transport can all lead to injuries for passengers. Our solicitors can advise on bus passenger claims involving falls, impact injuries and serious accidents.
Taxi Accident Claims
Taxi accidents can involve private hire vehicles, rideshare services and licensed taxis. If you were injured as a passenger, pedestrian or another driver, our taxi accident claims team can help you pursue compensation.
Motorbike Accident Claims
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable on the road and often suffer more serious injuries after a collision. Motorbike accident claims may involve negligent drivers failing to check blind spots, unsafe overtaking or junction collisions.
Cyclist & Pedestrian Claims
Cyclists and pedestrians often suffer significant injuries even in lower speed collisions. Bike accident claims and pedestrian injury claims frequently involve fractures, head injuries and long term rehabilitation needs.
Roundabout Accident Claims
Liability disputes are common in roundabout collisions, especially where drivers fail to signal, cut lanes or fail to give way properly. Our solicitors can assist with roundabout accident claims involving disputed fault scenarios.
Who Pays Your Road Traffic Accident Compensation?
In most road traffic accident claims, compensation is paid by the at fault driver’s insurer rather than the individual driver personally.
There are also protections in place where the driver is uninsured or leaves the scene.
If the driver was insured
The claim is usually handled through the driver’s motor insurer.
If the driver was uninsured
Claims involving uninsured drivers may still proceed through the Motor Insurers Bureau, often referred to as the MIB. The MIB exists to compensate victims of negligent uninsured drivers in the UK.
If the driver left the scene
Hit and run claims can also be pursued through the Motor Insurers Bureau where the responsible driver cannot be traced.
These cases can feel more complicated, but they are far from uncommon. Our road traffic accident solicitors can explain how the process works and what evidence may help support your claim.
How Does The Road Traffic Accident Claims Process Work?
1. Report The Accident
If possible, report the accident to the police and exchange details with the other driver. You should also notify your insurer.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Always seek medical advice after a collision, even if symptoms appear minor initially. Medical records are important evidence in any road traffic accident claim.
3. Gather Evidence
Photos, dashcam footage, CCTV, witness details and receipts can all support your case. Keeping records of lost earnings and treatment costs is also helpful.
4. Contact Tylers Solicitors
Our team will discuss the accident with you and assess whether you may have grounds to claim compensation.
5. Free Consultation
We offer a free initial consultation so you can understand your legal position before moving forward.
6. No Win No Fee Agreement
If we believe you have a valid claim, we may offer to act on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there are no upfront legal fees to begin your claim.
7. Your Claim Progresses
We gather evidence, arrange medical assessments and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.
8. Settlement
Most road traffic accident claims settle without a court hearing. In more serious or disputed cases, court proceedings may be necessary, but only a small percentage of claims ultimately reach a final hearing.
Interim Payments In Serious Claims
Some serious road traffic accident claims can take longer to resolve, particularly where long term recovery is still ongoing.
In certain cases, it may be possible to secure interim payments before the claim settles fully. These are advance payments from your compensation that may help cover urgent costs such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Rehabilitation
- Medical treatment
- Home adaptations
- Care needs
Interim payments are not available in every case, but they can be an important source of financial support where liability has been admitted or strongly established.
No Win No Fee Road Traffic Accident Claims
Many people avoid seeking legal advice because they worry about the cost of making a claim.
Our road traffic accident solicitors handle claims on a No Win No Fee basis wherever suitable. This means:
- No upfront solicitor fees
- No legal fees if the claim is unsuccessful
- A success fee is deducted from compensation if the claim succeeds
Success fees are legally capped in many personal injury claims, helping claimants understand the financial position from the outset.
Road Traffic Accident Claims Amounts
Need more information? Don’t worry, one of our professional claims solicitors will advise you along the way
Contact us on 0800 699 0079 or via our online contact form to start your claim today!
Minor road traffic accident compensation
The amount of RTA compensation you may be able to claim depends on the severity of your injuries. The more serious your injury, the more compensation you could be entitled to. An RTA solicitor will be able to help you work out your claim eligibility; however, the following offers a general guide.
If you’ve been in a minor RTA, such as a collision at low speeds, you may still be able to claim compensation. These accidents will cause minor injuries, from which you should recover in a short period of time. These could include minor whiplash, bruises and sprains. It could also include damage to your car.
Possible road traffic accident compensation: Up to £10,000.
Moderate road traffic accident compensation
Moderate injuries due to an RTA can include broken limbs, wrecked vehicles, and minor head injuries. If you’ve suffered any of these, an RTA solicitor from Tylers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Possible road traffic accident compensation: £10,000 to £42,750
Serious road traffic compensation
Serious road traffic accidents may result in long-term or lifelong injuries, including brain trauma, loss of limbs and more. Contact us for support in making a serious road traffic accident claim.
Possible road traffic accident compensation: Up to £307,000.
Wrongful death compensation
If a loved one in your household has died following a road traffic accident, you can make a claim for compensation on their behalf. Our team is here to support you and ensure you get the right amount of RTA compensation.
Possible road traffic accident compensation: Up to £307,000
Why Choose Tylers Solicitors For Your RTA Claim?
Tylers Solicitors supports injured road users across the UK from our Greater Manchester base. We understand that most people making a road traffic accident claim have never dealt with the legal process before, which is why we focus on clear advice and practical support from the beginning.
Our team offers:
- More than 15 years of experience handling personal injury claims
- National coverage across England and Wales
- SRA regulated legal services
- No Win No Fee representation
- Free initial consultations
- Support arranging medical assessments and evidence
Whether you were injured in a low speed collision or a serious road traffic accident, we will work to recover compensation that properly reflects the impact the accident has had on your life.
Call us on 0800 699 0079, email us at info@tylerssolicitors.co.uk or fill in our online contact form today to discuss your road traffic accident claim.
Table of Contents
Road Traffic Accident Claims FAQs
Why should I make a road traffic accident claim?
Part of the money you pay for car insurance covers compensation for accidents. This means you’re entitled to make an RTA claim if you’ve been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault. We encourage you to never feel guilty or embarrassed about doing so.
What information must I disclose regarding my road traffic accident?
Your initial consultation with an RTA solicitor will allow us to explain our legal proceedings. We’ll ask you a few simple questions about the accident to determine your claim eligibility and compensation amount. However, you will not need to disclose the full RTA story.
How long do I have to claim after a road traffic accident?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to begin a road traffic accident claim. Different rules can apply for children, people lacking mental capacity and some accidents abroad.
Can I claim if the other driver was uninsured or drove off?
Yes. Claims involving uninsured or untraced drivers can often proceed through the Motor Insurers Bureau.
Will I have to go to court?
Most road traffic accident claims settle without a final court hearing. If court proceedings become necessary, your solicitor will guide and represent you throughout the process.
What types of road accidents could I make a claim for?
While RTAs involving two cars are common, road traffic accidents can also affect pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and any other road users. No matter the circumstances, if you’ve been involved in an RTA that wasn’t your fault, the team at Tylers Solicitors can help.
If you’ve sustained injuries due to an accident involving a public hire vehicle, you may be eligible for taxi injury compensation. Get in touch to discuss your options.
Why should I choose Tylers for road traffic accident claims
Our experienced team has many years of experience in successful road traffic accident claims across the UK, and we offer a no-win, no-fee approach. We’ll support you from beginning to end and can help you undergo a medical assessment through our third-party contacts to check your health and any injuries sustained from your RTA.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes. You may still be able to claim compensation under contributory negligence rules, although your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.
What if I was a passenger in the accident?
Passengers can often make claims regardless of which driver caused the accident. See our car passenger claims page for more information.
How long does a road traffic accident claim take?
Straightforward claims involving minor injuries may settle within months, while serious injury claims can take significantly longer. In more complex cases, interim payments may sometimes be available before the final settlement.
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