Time limit
usually three years from the date of the accident.
Cost to you
nothing upfront.
Who pays
the at-fault driver's insurer. If the driver was uninsured or cannot be traced, compensation may come from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders
these "vulnerable road users" are treated differently, and fewer of their claims fall into the small claims system.
Minor injuries in cars
if your injury is valued at £5,000 or less (and your whole claim at £10,000 or less), your claim usually goes through the Official Injury Claim online service, where legal costs are not recoverable from the other side. See our whiplash page.
Who can claim after a road traffic accident?
You may be able to claim if you were injured as:
- A driver or passenger in a car, van or lorry
- A motorcyclist or moped rider
- A cyclist
- A pedestrian
- A bus, coach or taxi passenger
Passengers can usually claim even if the driver was a friend or family member. The claim is made against the driver’s insurer, so it does not come out of your friend’s pocket. Since January 2022 the Highway Code has also placed greater responsibility on road users who can cause the most harm to others, which can matter in claims involving cyclists and pedestrians.
What if the driver was uninsured, or drove off?
The rules are strict, and claims fail when a step is missed. In particular:
- Report the collision to the police as soon as you can, and co-operate with their enquiries.
- Give as much detail as you can about the vehicle and driver, even if it feels incomplete.
- Contact us early, because there are deadlines for notifying the MIB, and an application generally has to be made within three years.
What can you claim for?
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Compensation for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
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Lost earnings, including future loss if recovery is long
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Medical treatment, physiotherapy and rehabilitation
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Repair or replacement of your vehicle and belongings, and your insurance excess
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Travel costs, and care or help at home
How much you receive depends on your injuries and how they affect your life. Our compensation guide explains how it is calculated.
What should you do after a road traffic accident?
Check for injuries and call 999 if anyone needs help.
Safety first.
Exchange details.
Names, addresses, registration numbers and insurers. Note any witnesses.
Record the scene.
Photographs of the vehicles, road layout, weather and your injuries help. Dashcam footage is valuable, so keep it safe.
See a doctor, even if you feel fine.
Some injuries take hours or days to appear, and early medical notes strengthen your claim.
Report it.
Call the police if anyone is hurt or the other driver does not stop or share details.
Do not admit fault or sign anything.
Say what happened, nothing more.
Call us before you speak to the other side’s insurer.
How much can I claim for an RTA Injury?
What if my road traffic accident claim exceeds £5,000?
Can I claim if I wasn’t in a car?
Your claim in four simple steps
Talk to us
Call or complete the form for a free, no-obligation chat about what happened.
We assess your claim
We tell you honestly whether you have a strong case, and what to expect.
We build your case
We gather evidence, arrange medical reports and deal with the other side.
You receive your
compensation
We negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to court if needed.
Road traffic accident claims: your questions answered
How much can I claim for an RTA Injury?
What if my road traffic accident claim exceeds £5,000?
Can I claim if I wasn’t in a car?
How does “no win, no fee” work?
How long will my claim take?
Talk to a solicitor today
Tell us what happened. It costs nothing, there is no obligation, and we will call you back within 2 working hours.