Road traffic accident claims

The first step is to get in touch with our team for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, let you know whether you have a claim, and explain what happens next.

From there, we’ll review your case, gather evidence such as CCTV footage, witness statements, and dash-cam footage, and notify the other party’s insurer on your behalf. We’ll keep you updated throughout, handle the negotiations, and work to secure a fair settlement.

If an agreement can’t be reached, we’ll prepare your case for court and support you every step of the way. Most road traffic accident compensation claims are resolved without ever reaching that stage.

Making a road traffic accident claim allows you to receive compensation for your injuries and access support to aid your recovery, including for loss of income, damage to property, and the psychological impact of the collision.

It’s also a way to seek justice for an incident that wasn’t your fault, ensuring you’re not left to deal with the consequences alone.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the collision to make a road traffic accident claim. If your injuries weren’t immediately apparent, the three-year period may run from the date you first became aware of them. There are some exceptions: if you were under 18 at the time of the collision, you have until your 21st birthday to bring a claim.

If a mental health condition affected your capacity to claim, the time limit may not apply in the same way. Whatever your circumstances, we’d always recommend getting in touch as soon as possible. The sooner we can start gathering evidence, the stronger your claim is likely to be.

The time it takes to resolve a road traffic accident claim depends on the complexity of your case. Straightforward claims where liability is clear can often be settled within a few months. More complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties can take considerably longer.

Whatever the timescale, we’ll make sure you’re never left wondering where things stand. Our team will keep you updated at every stage, and we’ll work to secure interim payments where possible so you can access the support you need while your claim is ongoing.

Our road traffic accident solicitors understand how challenging life can feel after a road traffic collision. You may be struggling with physical pain, emotional distress, and financial concerns. It’s natural to wonder how much compensation you might be entitled to, but it’s important to know that every road accident claim is unique.

The amount of RTC compensation you could receive during the road traffic incident injury claims process depends on several factors. These include:

• The severity of your injuries
• The financial losses you’ve incurred
• How the collision has impacted your life, both now and in the future.

For example, if you’ve been left unable to work or require long-term medical care, this will be considered as part of your claim.

In the UK, road traffic accident compensation claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that the compensation reflects your personal circumstances. While we can’t give you an exact figure without understanding your situation, our experienced team is here to guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

A road traffic accident claim is the legal process that allows anyone injured on the road to seek compensation for their injuries and the impact the collision has had on their life. Claims can be made by drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians, and can arise from collisions involving all types of vehicles. If someone else was at fault, even partially, you may be entitled to road traffic accident compensation to cover:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost earnings
• Medical treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Any other costs arising from the collision.

Every case is different, and our specialists are here to help you understand what you may be able to claim and how to get started.

In most cases, your compensation claim will be settled out of court through negotiations handled by your Fletchers solicitor. If you’re not satisfied with the offer, we can take your case to court to pursue a fair outcome. Contact our experienced team today to get started.

If your personal injury claim does go to court (which happens in about 5% of cases), the process involves exchanging evidence, attending hearings, and presenting your case before a judge who will decide the outcome. Your solicitor will support you every step of the way, and because your case is taken on a “no win, no fee” basis, you won’t face legal costs if you lose.

Road traffic accidents are incidents that involve at least one vehicle and result in damage or injury to people, animals, other vehicles, or property.

The organisation that pays compensation to you after a car crash is the insurer of the other party if they’re found at fault. If the other party is uninsured or has broken the terms of their insurance policy, your solicitor will approach the Motor Insurers Bureau to seek compensation for you.

If you were injured in a road traffic collision while you were a passenger in a vehicle, you may be able to make an RTC claim. Road traffic passenger accident claims apply whether the person at fault was the driver of the vehicle you were in or the driver of another vehicle.

If you were entirely at fault, it is unlikely you can claim road traffic accident compensation.

If you were partially at fault, you may still be eligible to make a road traffic accident claim. However, any RTC compensation you receive could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.

This can also be known as split liability or contributory negligence.

Below are some of the most common factors that contribute to collisions and injuries on UK roads:

Speeding: Speed is a leading factor in road traffic accidents, contributing to 59% of fatal collisions in 2024. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of injuries when accidents occur.

Distracted driving: If a driver is texting, making calls, eating, changing the radio, grooming, or drinking, their full attention is not on the road, making an accident more likely.

Drunk or drug driving: Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is particularly dangerous as reaction times, coordination, and judgement are severely impaired. Government data from 2024 shows that distraction or impairment contributed to 34% of fatal collisions in 2024.

Aggressive and reckless driving: Unpredictable or aggressive behaviour on the road significantly increases the risk of accidents. This includes tailgating, weaving through traffic, changing lanes quickly, and ignoring stop signs or traffic lights. Driver behaviour or experience contributed to 52% of fatal collisions in 2024.

Fatigue: Not dissimilar to drunk or drug drivers, drivers experiencing drowsiness are slower to respond to changes in road and traffic conditions and more likely to make errors.

Road and weather conditions: Roads with uneven surfaces, potholes, or poor maintenance increase the risk of accidents by affecting vehicle handling, tyre traction, and braking ability. Adverse weather, such as rain, ice, or snow, can make roads slippery and reduce steering control, further increasing the likelihood of collisions.

Vehicle defects: Brake failures, steering issues, and tyre blowouts are among a range mechanical failures that can lead to accidents.

We believe it is important to use appropriate language that honours accountability, but is also recognisable to those who need us, at the time of seeking support.

It is our choice to avoid the word ‘accident where possible’. Instead, we prefer to use language such as ‘crash’, or ‘collision’. This is important in situations where an innocent party has been seriously injured due to another party’s negligence.

With that said, we also understand that terms like ‘road traffic accident’ are widely understood by the general public. You’ll therefore continue to see these messages when appropriate, so people searching for our support can find it.