Car Accident Claims Specialist Solicitors for England & Wales

CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS · No Win No Fee

No Win No Fee: The law limits our success fee to 25% of the compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and for past financial losses, after any state benefits are repaid. Compensation for future losses is not counted. If you win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is a percentage of our basic charges, and the law limits it as set out above. Any After the Event insurance premium is payable only if you win, and is never charged upfront. Your letter of engagement sets out exactly what you will pay for your type of claim, and we explain it before you sign. If you lose, you pay us nothing. This applies as long as you keep to your responsibilities under the agreement. You may have to pay costs if you end your claim early, fail to beat an offer the other side made, or a court finds your claim dishonest or exaggerated; where we have arranged After the Event insurance, it covers some of these costs if you keep to the policy's terms. See exactly what you pay.

Making car accident claims can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with pain, time off work, an unresponsive insurer, or the stress of not knowing what happens next — you do not have to face it alone.

At NJS Law, our specialist car accident solicitors have more than 200 years of combined legal experience recovering full compensation for injured drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians across England and Wales.

Check If You're Eligible With Our Car Accident Solicitors

Discover today if you’re eligible to make a claim. Tell us what happened using the enquiry form on this page.

Can I Make a Car Accident Claim?

If you were injured in a car accident in England or Wales that was not your fault — or was only partly your fault — you are likely entitled to claim compensation. This applies whether you were:

• A driver struck or forced off the road by another vehicle
• A passenger in any vehicle involved in the collision
• A pedestrian hit by a car
• A cyclist struck by a motor vehicle
• Involved in a multi-vehicle accident where fault is disputed
• Hit by an uninsured driver or in a hit-and-run where the driver fled

The key legal requirement is that another party’s negligence — their failure to drive with reasonable care and attention — caused or contributed to your accident and your injuries. Our solicitors assess this for you, free of charge, in your first consultation.

Important: Time Limits Apply

In England and Wales you generally have three years from the date of the accident to start a car accident claim. For children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. Do not delay — evidence is harder to gather and witness memories fade. Contact NJS Law as soon as possible, even if you are still receiving medical treatment.

What Can I Claim Compensation For?

A car accident claim can cover two categories of compensation: general damages for your physical and psychological injuries, and special damages for your specific financial losses. Our solicitors calculate your full entitlement — including losses many claimants are unaware they can recover.

General Damages — Compensation for Your Injuries

General damages cover the pain, suffering, and long-term impact your injuries have caused, including:

• Pain and suffering — from the moment of the accident through recovery
• Loss of amenity — reduced ability to enjoy your hobbies, sport, and daily life
• Psychological injuries — PTSD, anxiety, depression, and travel phobia
• Long-term or permanent disability and reduced quality of life

Special Damages — Your Financial Losses

Special damages cover every financial cost caused by your accident. These are calculated individually and added on top of your injury compensation:

Our solicitors take care to identify and quantify every category of loss — not just the obvious ones. Many clients receive significantly more than they expected once the full picture is presented.

How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Car Accident?

Compensation amounts vary depending on the type and severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life and work, and the specific circumstances of your accident. Below are indicative ranges based on the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026) and the updated 2025 Whiplash Tariff.

Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injury Compensation

Since the government’s Whiplash Reform Programme, whiplash compensation in road traffic accidents is governed by a fixed tariff — amounts set by regulation based on how long symptoms last. From 31 May 2025, an updated tariff (approximately 15% higher than the 2021 figures) applies to all accidents occurring on or after that date:

Whiplash tariff: accidents on or after 31 May 2025. Source: The Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/615), Table 2 on legislation.gov.uk.

For accidents on or after 31 May 2025 the fixed amounts are set by the The Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

Whiplash injuries lasting more than 24 months fall outside the fixed tariff and are assessed individually under the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026) — typically resulting in higher awards. Cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and horse riders are exempt from the tariff entirely and their claims are always assessed individually.

Other Injury Compensation Ranges — Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026)

These figures cover general damages only. Your special damages — lost earnings, medical costs, travel, care costs, and other financial losses — are calculated in addition and can significantly increase your total settlement.

Real NJS Law Results

£50,000 — head-on collision with long-term injuries
£28,000 — rear-end impact causing nerve damage£24,000 — passenger injured in dangerous overtake£12,500 — passenger in three-way collision
£11,500 — passenger with spinal fractures and ligament damage

Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle

Our specialist car accident solicitors handle the full range of road traffic accident claims across England and Wales, including:

Injuries We Regularly Recover Compensation For

Tell us what happened using the enquiry form on this page. Our team will give you an honest, no-pressure assessment at no cost.

How Does the Car Accident Claims Process Work?

We make the process as straightforward as possible. Here is what to expect from start to finish when you bring your claim to NJS Law:

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Acting quickly after an accident protects both your safety and your legal position. Follow these steps as soon as it is safe to do so:

1. Stop your vehicle. You are legally required under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to stop at the scene of any accident involving injury or damage to another person or vehicle.
2. Check for injuries and call 999 immediately if anyone requires urgent medical attention.
3. Exchange details. Get the other driver’s full name, address, phone number, vehicle registration, and insurer. Do not admit fault or apologise at the scene — this can be used against your claim.
4. Report to the police. If anyone has been injured, you must report the accident. Even without injury, you can report on 101 for your records.
5. Document everything. Photograph the vehicles, the road and conditions, any skid marks, traffic signs, and your visible injuries while at the scene.
6. Collect witness details. Take the name and contact number of any independent witness who saw what happened.
7. See a doctor. Visit your GP or A&E as soon as possible — even if you feel fine. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries often appear hours or days after impact. A contemporaneous medical record is essential evidence.
8. Contact NJS Law before speaking to the other driver’s insurer. Tell us what happened using the enquiry form on this page. Insurers may contact you quickly with a low settlement offer. Early legal advice ensures you are not pressured into accepting less than you deserve.

No Win No Fee Car Accident Claims Explained

All NJS Law car accident claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis — formally known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means:

• You pay nothing upfront to begin your claim
• You pay nothing throughout the entire process
• If you win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is a percentage of our basic charges, and the law limits it as set out above.

We will be clear about our fee and exactly what it means in pounds before you commit to anything. We explain every deduction in writing before you sign.

Where we arrange After the Event insurance, it covers the other side's costs and your disbursements if you lose, on the policy's terms. You pay nothing upfront, and if you lose you pay us nothing.

We explain every deduction in writing before you sign.

Our No Win No Fee agreement is fully transparent. You will know exactly what you will receive before we start.
If we do not win, you pay nothing. Where we arrange After the Event insurance, it covers the other side's costs and your disbursements if you lose, on the policy's terms.

Client Success Story – Car Accident Claim

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Stay informed with practical advice and in-depth guides on car accident claims. From understanding liability in road traffic collisions to learning how compensation is calculated, our resources are designed to give you clarity and confidence.

Browse the latest articles to see how real cases are handled, what factors affect compensation, and how our solicitors approach car accident claims. These insights can help you understand your rights and what to expect when making a claim.

Why Choose NJS Law for Your Car Accident Claim?

NJS Law is a specialist personal injury and medical negligence firm, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

• Clear, jargon-free legal advice
• Full support from claim to compensation
• Our team has more than 200 years of combined legal experience, and we act only for people who have been injured.
• National service across England & Wales
• No Win No Fee

Why Choose NJS Law

Experienced

• More than 200 years of combined legal experience, delivering tailored and reliable personal injury support
• Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — SRA number 8006550 — www.sra.org.uk

What our clients say

• Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot from 874 reviews. You can read verified client feedback on our reviews page.

At NJS Law, our solicitors are trusted professionals with a client-first approach.

Speak to Our Car Accidents Team Today

Our team has more than 200 years of combined legal experience handling road traffic accident claims, including gathering evidence, assessing injuries, and negotiating with insurers.

Our car accident specialists provide clear guidance, protect your legal position, and negotiate a settlement on your behalf.

If you would like professional advice about your accident, you can arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with our solicitors.

You can contact us by phone, chat or our enquiry form, and we will respond promptly with clear guidance on your next steps.

Get in touch today to start your claim and receive clear advice on what happens next.

Not Sure If Your Injury Qualifies
for a Road Traffic Accident Claim?

Unsure whether your accident gives you the right to claim?

Our team will review your situation and explain your options clearly.

Speak to a Road Traffic Accident Solicitor Today
- Free Consultation -

Tell us what happened using the enquiry form on this page.

An experienced solicitor will confirm your eligibility and guide you on the next steps.

£28,000 Awarded After Client Hit While Stopped at Red Light

Figures are compensation before any deductions.

£18,000 Awarded to Client Injured in a No-Fault Road Traffic Accident

£50,000 Compensation Pay-Out After a Devastating Head-On Crash

£20,000 Compensation for Pedestrian Struck by Car at a Designated Crossing

Related Services

Car accident claims form part of NJS Law’s broader road traffic accident and personal injury practice. You may also find the following services relevant:

• Road Traffic Accident Claims — all road users, including motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists
• Passenger Accident Claims— if you were injured as a passenger in any vehicle
• Personal Injury Claims — the full scope of personal injury services at NJS Law
• No Win No Fee Claims — how our fee structure works in detail

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Accident Claims

How long do I have to make a car accident claim?

In England and Wales you have three years from the date of the accident to start a personal injury claim. For children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. For claimants who lacked mental capacity at the time, different rules may apply. We strongly recommend contacting a solicitor as soon as possible — evidence is much easier to gather in the weeks and months after an accident than years later.

Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?

Yes. Under the principle of contributory negligence, you may still be entitled to compensation even if you were partly responsible. Your award would be reduced by the proportion of fault attributed to you — for example, if you were found 20% responsible, you would receive 80% of the total compensation. Our solicitors will advise you honestly on how liability is likely to be assessed in your specific case.

Can I claim if I was a passenger?

Yes. As a passenger you are almost never considered to be at fault for an accident. You can claim against the driver of the vehicle you were in, the driver of another vehicle involved, or both. This applies even if the at-fault driver is a friend or family member — the claim is made against their motor insurance, not against them personally.

What if the other driver was uninsured or drove away?

You can still claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB exists specifically to compensate victims of uninsured drivers and untraced hit-and-run drivers. NJS Law has experience handling MIB claims and can guide you through the additional steps this process involves.

How much compensation will I get for whiplash?

Whiplash compensation for adult car occupants is set by a fixed government tariff based on how long your symptoms last. Under the updated tariff effective from 31 May 2025, amounts range from £275 for symptoms lasting up to three months, to £4,830 for symptoms lasting 18 to 24 months. If your whiplash lasts more than two years, or if you are a cyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist, your claim is assessed individually under the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026) and may be significantly higher. Special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, and other losses are added on top of the tariff figure.

Do I have to go to court?

The vast majority of car accident claims are settled out of court through negotiation. NJS Law’s experienced team works hard to achieve a fair settlement without litigation. If the insurer disputes liability or refuses to make a reasonable offer, we will advise you on whether to proceed to court and will represent you fully if you do.

How long does a car accident claim take?

This depends on the complexity of your case. Straightforward claims submitted via the Official Injury Claim portal may settle within a few months. More complex cases — involving disputed liability, serious injuries, or long-term financial losses — can take one to two years or longer. We will give you a realistic timeframe for your specific situation from the very first consultation.

Can I claim for PTSD or psychological injuries?

Yes. Psychological injuries — including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and travel phobia — are fully recoverable alongside physical injuries. An expert psychiatric or psychological report is typically required. Based on the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026), compensation for moderate PTSD ranges from £10,810 to £30,580; for severe PTSD, from £79,080 to £133,000. These figures are in addition to any physical injury compensation.

What evidence do I need for a car accident claim?

Strong evidence significantly improves your outcome. Useful evidence includes: the police accident report or reference number; photographs of the scene, vehicles, and injuries; dashcam or CCTV footage; independent witness contact details; medical records and GP notes from after the accident; and receipts for any related expenses. You do not need to have everything in place before contacting us — gathering evidence is part of the service we provide.

Will making a claim affect my car insurance or no-claims bonus?

Claiming against the at-fault driver’s insurance — rather than your own policy — does not affect your no-claims bonus, because you are not making a claim through your own insurer. You are, however, required by your insurer to notify them of the accident. Our solicitors can advise you on how to do this correctly to protect your policy.

Thinking about a claim? Read about Personal injury claims and how No Win No Fee works, or send us your enquiry.