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Road Traffic Accidents

There were 153,158 casualties from reported road traffic accidents in Great Britain in 2019.

Of these accidents, many victims will have walked away with only minor cuts and bruises (albeit with a hefty bill to repair their damaged vehicle). Others will have suffered serious, life-changing or even fatal injuries as a result of another road user’s negligence.

You could claim compensation if the incident that caused your injury was not your fault. We’re here to help you get justice and get your life back on track after the physical, mental and financial hardships of a road traffic accident.

What Type of Road Accident Can I Claim For?

Common types of road accident include:

  • vehicle collisions – this could involve a car, bus, minibus, taxi, truck or other vehicle in which you were either the driver or a passenger
  • pedestrian accidents – crossing the road and being hit by a car, for example
  • motorcycle accidents
  • cycling accidents
  • accidents involving equestrian activities – such as having a fall while riding a horse on the road.

If you were injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, you should contact us as soon as you can. We will assess your circumstances and let you know whether you have a viable claim.

Do I Need To Use My Insurer's Recommended Law Firm

Many insurance companies have preferred solicitors that they work with. You are still able to choose your own. You don’t have to use the law firm your insurer wants you to use.

Coles Miller is highly experienced in managing road traffic accidents claims. We are Law Society Personal Injury Accredited, as well as being APIL Accredited Personal Injury and Brain Injury Specialists.

We have decades of experience in dealing with most complex road accidents and other personal injury claims. You can be confident in our expertise. We can help you to claim the maximum sum for your injuries.

Find Out More About Our Personal Injury Acceditations

How Much Compensation Will I Receive For My Road Accident?

The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the nature of your injuries and the significance of their impact on your life. This could include difficulties you are likely to experience in the future.

The amount of compensation you could claim is based on:

  • loss of earnings (current and future)
  • medical and travel expenses
  • care requirements, for as long as you need them
  • modifications to your home or car
  • other mobility aids you may need
  • your pain and suffering (both physical and mental).

You can also claim for other losses, such as:

  • damage to your car or other personal property
  • the cost to hire a replacement vehicle
  • your insurance policy excess.

Use our claims calculator as a guide to find out how much you could be entitled to.

How Long Do I have To Make A Road Accident Claim?

You have until three years after your accident to make a claim but it can be risky to delay.

It is best to contact us as soon as possible, while your memory is still fresh (and while any witnesses still have a strong recollection of what happened).

There are some exceptions to the three-year time limit for making a claim. They include:

  • mental capacity – if a loved one lacks the capacity to make a claim themselves, you can claim on their behalf at any time
  • children – claims can be made at any point before your child turns 18. After that, your child can make a claim up until the age of 21
  • accidents abroad – time limits in other countries can be shorter than those in the UK. However, depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may still be able to make a claim under UK law
  • criminal injuries – in cases where your injuries were caused by a deliberate act, a time limit of two years applies from the date of the incident.

Will I Have To Go To Court?

When working on your claim, it will be our priority to establish who was responsible for your accident and to get an admission of liability from them. This will mean your case can be settled without court proceedings.

If the person responsible will not admit fault (or the value of your claim cannot be agreed), court proceedings may be necessary. This is very rare, however.

In the unlikely event that your claim needs to go to court, we’ll support you every step of the way.

What If The Other Driver Didn't Stop?

If the other driver refused to stop after the accident (or they had no insurance), you may still be able to make a claim. We can help you by putting in an application to the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).

How Long Will It Take For My Road Accident Claim To Be Finalised?

In April 2010, the Ministry of Justice launched a Road Traffic Accident Portal Scheme for Road Traffic Accidents valued between £1,000 and £10,000.

The scheme provides a swift and secure exchange of information between solicitors and insurers, allowing claims to be processed quickly. The average timeframe for these claims to be settled is just five months.

How Much Will It Cost To Make A Road Accident Claim?

We can work on your compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis

A No Win No Fee agreement (also known as a conditional fee agreement) gives you security and peace of mind when making a personal injury claim.

We offer No Win No Fee agreements so – in the unlikely event that your claim is unsuccessful – it will cost you nothing.

In the likely event that you win your case, you may have to pay your solicitor a limited success fee, which is capped at 25% of the compensation for general damages and past losses.

Video: How We Help Road Accident Victims

Watch this short video to see why using a specialist personal injury solicitor is so important...

Get Expert Legal Advice

Has a road accident left you with additional financial burdens or damaged your quality of life? Was somebody else responsible for the accident that caused your injury?

Book a free chat with a Coles Miller personal injury lawyer to find out more about claiming compensation with No Win No Fee cover. Complete the short email form to enquire…

Meet the team

Adrian Cormack

Partner, Head of Personal Injury Department

Brian Parsons

Personal Injury Executive

Crispin Cormack

Serious Injury Paralegal

Jonathan Rich

Solicitor

Lauren Newman

Trainee Solicitor

Lucy Andrew

Costs Lawyer

Stacey Park

Serious Injury Paralegal

Jacob Emery

Solicitors Apprentice

Rosie Galway

Legal Secretary