Road traffic accident claims

Compensation is intended to reflect both the injury itself and the financial impact the collision has had on your life. A successful road traffic accident compensation claim may help cover:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost earnings
• Medical treatment
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Psychological support
• Care and assistance
• Travel expenses
• Vehicle or property damage
• Future treatment or support needs

The amount you receive depends on the severity of your injuries, how long recovery takes, and the effect the collision has had on your work, independence, and day-to-day life.

Making a road traffic accident claim allows you to receive compensation for your injuries and access support to aid your recovery. This includes 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. 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 for road traffic accident claims may not apply in the same way, either. Whatever your circumstances, we 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.

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

• The severity of your injuries
• Financial losses
• Recovery time
• Pain and suffering
• Medical and rehabilitation costs
• 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 settlement for a car accident without understanding your situation, our experienced team is here to guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

In most cases, your road traffic accident 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, the process involves exchanging evidence, attending hearings, and presenting your case before a judge who will decide the outcome. Your road traffic accident claims 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.

Where another road user is responsible for a car crash, compensation is normally paid by their insurer. 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 52% of fatal collisions in 2025.

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

Drunk or drug driving: Government data from 2025 shows that alcohol or drugs contributed to 21% of fatal collisions in 2025.

Aggressive and reckless driving: Unpredictable or aggressive behaviour on the road significantly increases the risk of accidents. 

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

Road and weather conditions: Adverse weather and roads with uneven surfaces, potholes, or poor maintenance increase the risk of accidents by affecting vehicle handling, tyre traction, and braking ability.

Vehicle defects: Brake failures, steering issues, and tyre blowouts are among a range of 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.

First, seek medical attention where needed and make sure the collision is reported appropriately. Where possible, it can also help to:

1. Exchange details with the other road user.
2. Take photos or videos of the vehicles, road, and visible injuries.
3. Record witness contact details.
4. Preserve dashcam or CCTV evidence.
5. Report the collision to the police.
6. Keep medical records and treatment details.
7. Keep evidence of financial losses such as lost earnings, travel expenses, or repair costs.

Do not worry if you cannot collect everything at the scene. An experienced road traffic accident solicitor can help gather relevant evidence later.

Most claims follow four key stages.

1. Initial consultation

The first step is a free, no-obligation discussion about what happened, your injuries, and how the collision has affected you. We’ll explain whether we believe you may have grounds to claim and what happens next.

2. Evidence gathering

If we take the claim forward, we’ll investigate the collision and gather evidence, such as:

• CCTV or dashcam footage
• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Photographs or videos
• Medical records and reports
• Evidence of lost earnings and other expenses

3. Establishing responsibility

We’ll identify who may be responsible and notify the appropriate insurer or third party. Medical evidence will also help us understand your injuries, recovery, and any future treatment or support you may need.

4. Compensation

We’ll negotiate with the other side to seek a fair settlement. Most road traffic accident claims settle without a court hearing. If responsibility or the amount of compensation cannot be agreed, court proceedings may be necessary, and we will explain this process to you clearly.