Car Accident Injury Claims

Updated: December 8, 2025

Reviewed by: Jayne Orme

Updated: December 8, 2025

Reviewed by: Jayne Orme

Bike Accident Solicitor

Jayne is a Bike Accident Solicitor from one of our panel law firms.

What are car accident injury compensation claims? 

Most of us travel in cars every day and think little of it. We certainly don’t expect to have a car crash or road accident while going about our regular business. But according to the road safety charity, Brake, 82 people are seriously injured on our roads every day. 

Official government figures show that, in 2022, around 29,742  people were killed or seriously injured in reported road collisions.  Those in a car accounted for 44% of road fatalities and 53% of all road casualties in 2022.  

Every year, thousands of people suffer the emotional and physical trauma of being involved in a road traffic accident that was not of their doing. 

While being a potentially difficult process to begin, car accident claims are the best way for victims and their families to get the compensation that they deserve. Car accident injury compensation can enable access to medical treatment and rehabilitation helping you to move forward with your life. 

Examples of car accident injury claims 

A road traffic accident can happen for a variety of reasons. However, in our experience, the most common car accident claims are those outlined below: 

• A hit and run incident that results in a road accident 
• A driver failing to stop at a red light or stop sign 
• Driver carelessness in a car park 
• A driver operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs 
• A driver failing to recognise a crossing pedestrian.

There are, of course, many other potential reasons why a car accident may occur. Your individual circumstances will be taken into account when a car accident solicitor assesses your case. 

At The Compensation Experts, our car accident lawyers have helped win countless road traffic accident claims, including an instance where a woman was injured as the passenger in a car crash. 

In this case, the approaching vehicle was coming around a corner on the wrong side of the road. The victim suffered cuts, bruises, and short-term memory loss due to a head injury. 

The car accident lawyers for the other driver’s insurance company initially denied responsibility for the accident.  While it took extensive negotiation from our car accident injury lawyers, a reasonable road traffic accident compensation was eventually agreed upon without the case going to court. 

Can I make a car accident injury claim? 

A car accident injury compensation claim can be made if you or a loved one is injured in a car accident that wasn’t their fault. Compensation claims for injuries sustained in car accidents can include, but are not limited to: 

Fractures and dislocations 

Cuts and bruises 

Arm injuries 

Back injuries 

Neck injuries 

Foot injuries 

Knee injuries 

Leg injuries 

Whiplash 

Death 

However, a car injury claim can cover far more than physical damage. Additional costs associated with car accident claims include: 

• Private medical treatment like physiotherapy, or at-home nursing care 
• Hiring another vehicle if yours is unusable 
• Lost income if you are unable to work while you recover 
• Travel expenses going to and from the hospital, your GP, or another place of treatment 
• Cancellation of upcoming holidays due to the injuries you have sustained 

If you or someone you love has been wounded in a road accident that wasn’t your fault, The Compensation Experts can help you begin personal injury claims for car accident damages. 

How do I make a car accident injury claim? 

Starting a compensation claim after a car accident might seem daunting, but our expert team make it easy. Simply call us on 0800 182 2185 or you can submit your details online and receive a callback.  

You’ll have an initial consultation where our friendly advisers will talk to you about your injuries and what led to them. If we think you have a valid car accident claim, we’ll then partner you with a specialist personal injury solicitor who can help you recover the compensation you’re entitled to.  

How much compensation can I claim for a car accident? 

Because each car accident injury claim is different, it can be difficult to attach an exact figure to your compensation claim. The amount you receive will depend on several factors, including the type and severity of your injuries, whether you hold any liability for the accident, and any financial losses you’ve suffered.  

Our Compensation Calculator can give an estimate of what you might receive, or you can talk to our team for a compensation estimate based on your individual circumstances.  

How is compensation calculated when claiming for a car accident? 

Personal injury compensation is calculated by looking at general damages and special damages.  

General damages are based on how your life has been impacted by the accident and any pain and suffering you have experienced due to your injuries.  

The Judicial College sets guidelines for compensation awards for specific injuries. Your lawyer may also call on expert medical advice to help determine how much compensation should be claimed.  

Special damages cover financial losses you’ve suffered due to your injuries. This could include lost wages if you’ve been out of work, the cost of any adaptations you’ve had to make to your home. Other costs that might be covered by special damages include medical expenses, prescription fees, physiotherapy costs, travel costs, and the cost of care/support needed.  

How long after a car accident can I make a claim? 

In general, you should start your car accident injury claim within three years of the date of the accident. There are some exceptions, so please get in touch to confirm your eligibility.  

We would always recommend that you seek legal advice as soon as possible after a car accident. This way, the details of the incident are still fresh in your mind, and in the memories of any witnesses. It will also allow your solicitor time to gather all the relevant evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.  

What evidence will I need to start a car accident claim? 

If our car accident lawyers determine that your claim is valid, then they will help you to gather all the required evidence before contacting the offending party with news of your claim. 

Having worked out the details of your claim, your car accident injury lawyer will begin to build your case with as much evidence as possible. In order to assist your car accident lawyer in this process, you should provide some or all of the following: 

• Evidence of the injuries you have suffered 
• Evidence of the other driver being in the wrong 
• All possible medical records detailing your injuries caused by, and relating to, the accident 
• Police reports and testimonies from other emergency services who attended the scene 
• Witness statements from those who saw or heard your accident 
• Any photos or film footage of the accident site 

Of course, any other evidence you can provide to help solidify the validity of your claim will only help your car accident injury lawyer. 

How do I get a car accident injury lawyer? 

If you want to begin your road traffic accident claims process, we’ll make it as simple as possible. When you speak to our team, we’ll provide a free, no-obligation conversation to begin assessing your claim. If we think you’re eligible, we’ll put you in touch with a car accident injury lawyer. 

We also give our clients the option of choosing a No Win No Fee* agreement, so you don’t have to pay any legal costs upfront, and none at all if your claim is not successful. 

Contact us today to make your claim. 

*Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. Termination fees may apply if you do not keep to the terms of the agreement.  

Frequently asked questions about car accident injury claims 

What is an average car accident claim payout? 

All car accident injury claims are different and the payout for your claim will depend on the severity of your injuries, and other factors. However, below are some examples of compensation awards based on the Judicial College Guidelines:  

For example, those suffering a simple fracture to the arm might expect between £8,060* and £23,430, depending on how severe the injury is. Compensation for a serious arm injury could secure in excess of £50,000.  

For knee injuries, you could receive between £2,750 and £117,410 depending on the severity of your injury.  

Compensation for neck injuries can range from up to £9,630 for minor neck injuries, and up to £181,020 for the most severe cases.  

For a head injury, compensation can start at £2,690 for minor injuries and can be up to £493,000 for the most severe cases involving significant brain damage.  

*Based on Judicial College Guidelines – 17th edition.  

For an estimate of how much you could receive in car accident injury compensation, call our experts on 0800 182 2185.  

Can I claim as a passenger? 

Yes, if you were injured as a passenger, you could be eligible to make a car accident passenger claim.  

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you could make a compensation claim against: 

• The driver of the car you were a passenger in 
• The driver of the other car or cars involved in the accident 
• All drivers involved in the accident 

If the accident was caused by a road defect or pothole, it might be possible to make a claim against the local council.  

Can I claim if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt? 

If you weren’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, it’s still possible to make a car accident injury claim. However, your compensation could be reduced due to what is known as contributory negligence. This is because it could be argued that your injuries might not have been as severe had you been wearing a seatbelt.  

Can I claim against an uninsured driver? 

Yes, the road traffic accident solicitors we work with at The Compensation Experts can help you with your car injury claim request, even if the other driver involved was uninsured, or they did not stop at the scene and it is not possible to locate them. 

Your car accident solicitor can use the Untraced Drivers Agreement to take your claim to the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB).  

However, it is important to know that if you wish to make a road accident claim via the Untraced Drivers Agreement, you must: 

Report the accident to the police within 14 days if you’re making a personal injury compensation claim 

Report the accident to the police within 5 days if you want payment for damage to your car or property. 

While you can submit your claim to the MIB without a personal injury solicitor, it can be beneficial to have the expertise and support of a specialist car accident injury lawyer to help you navigate the claims process.  

Can I claim compensation for psychological trauma? 

Yes, psychological injuries can be taken into account when calculating your compensation award. If you’ve suffered a physical injury in a car accident, your car accident injury lawyer will also take into account the psychological impact of the accident alongside this.