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Road traffic accident claims · England & Wales

Road Traffic Accident Claims Solicitors — No Win No Fee

Injured in a road accident that wasn't your fault? Our specialist road traffic accident team will tell you honestly whether you have a claim — and handle it on a No Win No Fee basis, across England and Wales.

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Free, no obligation, No Win No Fee.

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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.

Written by Leanne Henton, Head of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence.
Reviewed by Leanne Henton on .

Part of our personal injury claims service.

In short

You can usually claim if another road user's negligence injured you in the last three years. Whiplash lasting up to two years is paid at fixed tariff amounts — £275 to £4,830 for accidents on or after 31 May 2025. Other injuries are valued using the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026). Most claims settle without court.

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Figures verified with NJS Law on 9 November 2026.

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Road traffic accident claims at a glance

Time limit to claimUsually 3 years from the accident (Limitation Act 1980)
Cost to youNo Win No Fee — nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful
Whiplash (up to 2 years)Fixed tariff — £275 to £4,830, or up to £4,975 with minor psychological injury[3]
Other injuriesValued using the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026)
Injury part up to £5,000Adult drivers and passengers usually go through the Official Injury Claim portal, if the whole claim is worth up to £10,000
How long it takes3–6 months for portal claims; 9–18 months for most others
Uninsured or hit-and-run driver?You can still claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau

Could you be entitled to road traffic accident compensation?

You may be eligible to claim if all three of the following apply:

1

You were injured in a road traffic accident — as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist

2

It happened within the last three years (or another time limit applies)

3

Another road user was fully or partly at fault

Partly at fault? You can still claim — compensation is reduced by your share. Check your time limit.Find out if I can claim — free

What is a road traffic accident claim?

A road traffic accident claim is how you seek compensation when another road user's negligence injures you. Road accidents remain common: 128,272 casualties were reported on Great Britain's roads in 2024, including 1,602 deaths.[1]

For a claim to succeed, three things need to be established:

01

Duty of care existed

Every road user owes a duty to others to drive with reasonable care.

Road Traffic Act 1988 · The Highway Code
02

That duty was breached

For example speeding, running a red light, using a phone or failing to give way.

Objective standard of a reasonable driver
03

The breach caused injury

The breach caused, or materially contributed to, your injury.

Causation — the "but for" test

Who can make a road traffic accident claim?

SituationEligible?Notes
Driver YesAgainst the at-fault driver's insurer
Passenger YesAgainst the driver you were with, the other driver, or both
Pedestrian YesOutside the whiplash tariff and portal
Cyclist or motorcyclist YesOutside the whiplash tariff and portal
Child YesA parent claims as litigation friend; time runs until 21
Uninsured driver YesThrough the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)
Hit-and-run (untraced) driver YesMIB Untraced Drivers Agreement
Partly at faultPossiblyCompensation reduced by your share of blame

Not sure whether your situation qualifies? Check my eligibility

How long do I have to make a road traffic accident claim?

You usually have three years from the accident, or from when you first knew your injury was linked to it, under the Limitation Act 1980.[8] Missing this deadline will almost always mean losing your right to claim.

Type of claimLimitation periodNotes
Adult driver or passenger3 yearsFrom the accident or your date of knowledge
Child injury claimUntil age 213-year clock begins on 18th birthday
Mental incapacityDoes not startWhile the person lacks capacity from the date of injury. If capacity is lost later, the time limit keeps running
Fatal accident claims3 yearsFrom date of death or date of knowledge
Untraced (hit-and-run) driverDifferent rulesMIB Untraced Drivers Agreement — act quickly

How much compensation can I get for a road traffic accident?

Whiplash lasting up to two years is paid at fixed tariff amounts set by law.[4] Other injuries are valued using the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026)[2], and your financial losses — lost earnings, treatment, travel and vehicle costs — are added on top.

Whiplash tariff — accidents on or after 31 May 2025

Whiplash tariff: accidents on or after 31 May 2025
How long your symptoms lastWhiplash onlyWith minor psychological injury
Up to 3 months£275£300
3 to 6 months£565£595
6 to 9 months£965£1,025
9 to 12 months£1,510£1,595
12 to 15 months£2,335£2,435
15 to 18 months£3,445£3,550
18 to 24 months£4,830£4,975

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 between 31 May 2021 and 30 May 2025 the lower 2021 amounts apply: see The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021.

Other injuries

Type of injuryKey factorsIndicative range
Neck injury — moderateRecovery period, ongoing symptoms£10,420 to £50,850
Back injury — moderateDuration, impact on mobility and work£16,520 to £51,230
Leg injury — moderateFractures, recovery and lasting effects£23,730 to £51,790
Head and brain injuryCognitive impact and long-term care£2,920 to £533,720
Psychological injury (incl. PTSD)Severity and prognosis£2,040 to £152,900

Indicative ranges only. Special damages are assessed separately and may significantly increase the total.

What have we won for people in your position?

Road traffic accident£50,000 for physical and psychological injuries after a head-on crashA driver crossed the centre line and hit our client head-on. We gathered medical evidence for physical and…Read the case Road traffic accident£28,000 for nerve damage after a rear-end crash at a red lightOur client was hit from behind while stopped at a red light. Injuries that began as whiplash developed into chronic…Read the case Road traffic accident£20,000 for a pedestrian hit at a crossingOur client was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road at a…Read the case

See our case studies

Figures are compensation before any deductions.

What types of road traffic accident claims do we handle?

Car accident claimsCollisions that weren't your fault.Passenger accident claimsHurt as a passenger in any vehicle.Whiplash claimsThe tariff, the portal and what it's worth.Pedestrian accident claimsHit by a vehicle on foot.Cycling accident claimsDrivers failing to give you space.Motorbike accident claimsRiders and pillion passengers.Public transport claimsBuses, coaches, trams and trains.Lorry accident claimsCollisions with heavy goods vehicles.

Articles: Road traffic accident claims

How do our road traffic accident solicitors support your claim?

We decide the right route. Official Injury Claim portal or the standard Pre-Action Protocol — and we tell you why.
We build your evidence. Police reports, dashcam, CCTV, witnesses and medical records — you don't need to gather it.
We instruct independent medical experts whose report forms the basis of your valuation.
We claim every financial loss — earnings, travel, physiotherapy, vehicle costs and care.
We seek interim payments for treatment and lost income where liability is admitted.
We negotiate firmly — and go to court if a fair settlement isn't offered.

How do I make a road traffic accident claim? A step-by-step guide

Making a claim with NJS Law follows clear stages, from your first free call to settlement.

1

Free case assessment

We confirm whether you have a claim, its likely value and which route applies — at no cost.

2

Funding agreement

Your No Win No Fee agreement and After the Event insurance.

3

Gathering evidence · 4–12 weeks

Police reports, dashcam, CCTV, witnesses and medical records.

4

Notifying the insurer · Official Injury Claim: 30 working days to respond

Through the Official Injury Claim portal or a Claim Notification Form.[6] On the Official Injury Claim portal the insurer has 30 working days to say whether it accepts fault (40 working days if the Motor Insurers' Bureau is dealing with the claim).

5

Negotiation & settlement

Most claims settle without court; payment usually follows within a few weeks.

How long does a road traffic accident claim take?

Portal whiplash claims
3–6 months
Up to £5,000
Admitted liability
9–18 months
Standard claims
Disputed or serious
18 months–3 years
Prognosis needed

What does No Win No Fee mean?

If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay us nothing in most cases. The arrangement is called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA):

Nothing upfront and nothing during the case, however long it takes.
If you win, our fee is taken from your compensation — we explain exactly how it works before anything is signed.
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.
Read our full No Win No Fee guide

Can I get a quick answer in under a minute?

All Legal Minute Monday videos
<60s
Legal Minute MondayHow long does a road traffic accident claim take?Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
<60s
Legal Minute MondayCan you claim for an accident on a pavement?Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
<60s
Legal Minute MondayWhat happens when a road traffic accident involves multiple road users?Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
PodcastRoad Traffic Accident PodcastFull episodes with our solicitors, plus a written transcript. Listen + read transcript
Legal Lingo

What do the legal terms mean?

All Legal Lingo terms
Legal LingoOfficial Injury Claim portal

The online service adult drivers and passengers use when the injury part of a road traffic claim is worth up to £5,000 and the whole claim up to £10,000.

Read more
Legal LingoWhiplash tariff

Fixed compensation amounts set by law for whiplash lasting up to two years.

Read more
Legal LingoMotor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)

The body that compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers.

Read more
Legal LingoContributory negligence

When you're partly to blame — your compensation is reduced by your share.

Read more
Legal LingoConditional Fee Agreement (CFA)

The legal name for a No Win No Fee agreement.

Read more
Legal LingoLimitation period

The deadline to start a claim — usually three years.

Read more

Why choose NJS Law for your road traffic accident claim?

We only act for injured people — never insurers or defendants.
We explain every deduction in writing before you sign.
We know the whiplash rules — we know which route applies to your claim.
Regulated by the SRA — SRA No. 8006550.
"After a road accident, people need clear answers fast. We tell you honestly whether you have a claim, which route it will take and what it could be worth — then we handle it."
Leanne HentonHead of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence

Read what our clients say on Trustpilot.

Who will handle my road traffic accident claim?

Leanne HentonLeanne HentonHead of Personal Injury and Medical NegligenceView profile David SeniorDavid SeniorRTA LitigatorView profile Rachel HughesRachel HughesRTA LitigatorView profile Stephen HeeleyStephen HeeleyRTA LitigatorView profile Wendy TomkinsonWendy TomkinsonRTA LitigatorView profile

Not ready to claim yet? Where can I read more?

Free guides, eBooks and articles on your rights.

GuideRoad Traffic Accident Claims: a step-by-step guideThe process, time limits and compensation.ServiceWhiplash claimsThe tariff, the portal and what your claim is worth.ServicePassenger accident claimsYour rights as a passenger.ArticleWhat evidence do I need after a car accident?The evidence that makes the difference.
Free eBookPersonal Injury

What else do people ask about road traffic accident claims?

How long do I have to make a claim?
Claim typeUsual time limit
Personal injury3 years from the accident or date of knowledge
Medical / dental negligence3 years from the negligence or when you became aware of the harm
ChildrenUntil their 21st birthday
Always seek advice as early as possible to protect your rights.
Do I have to go to court?
Most claims settle without a hearing. A final hearing is only likely if liability or value cannot be agreed.
How much is a whiplash claim worth?
For accidents on or after 31 May 2025, the fixed tariff runs from £275 for symptoms lasting up to three months to £4,830 for 18 to 24 months, or £4,975 with a minor psychological injury. See the full whiplash tariff table.
What if the other driver was uninsured or drove off?
You can still claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
Can I claim as a passenger?
Yes — against the driver you were with, the other driver, or both.
What if I didn't report the accident straight away?
You can still claim, though prompt reporting strengthens your evidence.

Where do these figures come from?

  1. Department for Transport — Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2024 (published 25 September 2025)
  2. Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026): Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases (Oxford University Press)
  3. Official Injury Claim — Revised whiplash tariff now approved (accidents on or after 31 May 2025)
  4. The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 (as amended in 2025) — legislation.gov.uk
  5. Civil Liability Act 2018 — legislation.gov.uk
  6. Official Injury Claim — the service for road traffic injury claims valued up to £5,000
  7. Road Traffic Act 1988 — legislation.gov.uk
  8. Limitation Act 1980 — legislation.gov.uk
  9. Motor Insurers' Bureau — claims against uninsured and untraced drivers
  10. The Highway Code — GOV.UK

Injured and not sure where to start?

Send us your details and our team will be in touch. Free, no obligation, No Win No Fee.

Start my claim Call us 0333 057 7075