Car Accident Claims
If you have sustained an injury after being involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. The expert car accident claims solicitors at JMW will guide you through the entire legal process, giving you the best possible chance of securing the outcome you deserve.
We have many years of experience in handling car accident claims on behalf of clients who have suffered due to somebody else’s negligence, and the expertise we have gained in this area means that your case is in the most reliable hands. We operate on a no win, no fee basis, meaning that making a claim with us is a risk-free process.
Speak to JMW today for practical, simple advice about your chances of securing car accident compensation. Call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in touch at a time that is convenient for you.
On this page
- What our clients say
- How our car accident claims solicitors can help
- What is the difference between car accident claims and road traffic accident claims?
- How much compensation will I receive for a car accident claim?
- Dealing with insurance companies after a road traffic accident
- FAQs about car accident claims
What Our Clients Say
How Our Car Accident Claims Solicitors Can Help
Car accidents are among the leading causes of serious personal injuries, such as head and spinal injuries. These injuries can have life-long repercussions, such as brain damage and paralysis of the limbs or the entire body - paraplegia and tetraplegia. Our professional car accident solicitors are experienced in dealing with such severe cases and are on hand to ensure your claim is as stress-free as possible, so you can focus on your recovery.
Whether you were driving the car involved in the accident or were a passenger, our solicitors will work to build you the strongest possible case for your car accident claim.
We have helped people who have been affected by a wide range of injuries to claim compensation, including:
- Broken bones
- Burns, lacerations and scarring
- Fatalities
- Head and neck trauma
- Brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord trauma
- Paralysis
We will help you to determine the best steps to take throughout your case while identifying the financial losses you have incurred as a result of your car accident and ensure they are included as part of your claim.
These can include:
- Loss of earnings
- Policy excess or the value of your vehicle
- Hire car charges
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation and medication costs
- Property damage
- Cost of care and nursing, as well as any necessary aids and appliances
- Travel expenses
JMW’s personal injury solicitors are experts in the field of car accident claims, so you can rest assured that your case is in capable hands.
What is the Difference Between Car Accident Claims and Road Traffic Accident Claims?
While road traffic accidents can incorporate car accidents, road traffic accident claims also deal with those that involve other types of vehicles - such as heavy goods vehicles and motorbikes. In many cases, the potential for injury following an accident with a larger or lighter vehicle is more severe. Therefore, claims for road traffic accidents must be considered separately from car accident claims.
How Much Compensation Will I Receive for a Car Accident Claim?
The amount of compensation you will receive in a car accident compensation claim will depend on the nature of any injuries sustained; more serious injuries will usually result in higher financial rewards.
Your total compensation amount may also factor in the financial losses you incurred as a result of the accident. For example, you may be compensated for damage to your vehicle, or for loss of earnings if you took time off work to recover from your injuries.
The figures below provide a rough idea of how much you could receive for a car accident claim, based on the most recent Judicial College Injury Tables:
| Minor to Moderate neck injury | Up to £38,490 |
| Serious or severe neck injury with permanent symptoms | £45,470 - £148,330 |
| Back injury recovering in up to five years | Up to £12,510 |
| Back injury causing permanent symptoms | £27,760 - £160,980 |
| Minor brain or head injury | Up to £12,770 |
| Minor to moderate brain damage | £15,320 - £219,070 |
| Loss of one leg below the knee | £97,980 - £132,990 |
| Loss of both legs below the knee | £201,490 - £270,100 |
It is important to note that the above figures are for general injuries, so figures for your circumstances may differ. For a more accurate calculation of how much compensation you could be entitled to, based on your own circumstances, get in touch with JMW today or take a look at our Compensation Calculator.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Road Traffic Accident
In many cases, insurance companies offer injured car drivers a financial settlement before any court proceedings can take place. This may be following communications between the injured driver and the offending party, or after the offending party has been informed that a claim is being made against them.
The reason insurance companies make a financial settlement offer is to save on legal costs and compensation payouts which could be higher as a result of legal action. In simple terms, insurance companies do this so they do not have to pay as much compensation to the injured driver.
Injured drivers are often enticed by an initial settlement offer as it can seem like a large amount of money and it will save them from a potentially stressful and lengthy legal process. However, these settlement offers are usually made with the terms that, if the injured driver accepts the offer, they can not take any further legal action against the offending party. Furthermore, the money offered by insurance companies in these types of financial settlements are rarely enough to cover all the costs that an injured driver incurs, and is significantly less than what the driver may be able to gain through a compensation claim. This is especially true in cases where an injured driver’s condition worsens.
In an investigation carried out by the Law Society, it was found that victims of accidents who took legal advice and made a full compensation claim won up to three times more compensation than those who accepted the first settlement offer from an insurance company.
Before you accept any terms or agreements following your accident, you should consult with a professional solicitor who will be able to help you make the right choices and get the support you need.
FAQs About Car Accident Claims
- What type of damages can I claim in a car accident?
Any car accident compensation claim will be made up of two types of funds:
- General damages: accounts for the injuries you sustained during the car accident, how severe they are and your estimated recovery time. The overall figure is determined using personal injury guidelines and previous similar cases.
- Special damages - this sum is for any financial losses that you have incurred as a result of the car accident. This can include:
- lost income
- personal property damage
- care costs
- medical expenses
- travel costs.
- How long do I have to make a car accident claim?
Claims for compensation following a car accident should be made within three years after the date that the incident occurred. However, it is sometimes possible to make a car accident claim up to three years after it was discovered that your injuries were caused by the accident.
- How much compensation can I claim for a car accident?
If you have been involved in a car accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, it is important that you speak to a solicitor about your options as soon as possible. The amount of compensation you are able to claim following your car accident will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and the length of time you have been required to take off work as a result.
- What to do after a car accident in the UK?
If you are involved in a car accident in the UK, there are certain steps you should take to support a potential compensation claim. These measures can help to prove that another person was responsible for the incident and help to ensure your claim is a success.
Immediately after the car accident, you should carry out the following steps:
- Stop the car, no matter how minor you believe the incident was
- Switch off the car engine and turn on the hazard lights to alert other road users that you are stationary
- Check yourself for any injuries, as well as any passengers you are travelling with - if anyone is seriously injured, call an ambulance
- If no one in the car is seriously injured, get out of the car when it is safe to do so and assess the situation
- Take photographs of the scene of the accident, the damage to your vehicle and injuries sustained by any occupants of the vehicle
- Take photographs of the damage to any other vehicles involved so that other parties cannot make false claims about the extent of the damage at a later date
You should take down the following information from anyone who witnessed the incident:
- Names
- Addresses
- Telephone number/email address
Witness statements can play a significant role in the success of your car accident claim, therefore we will prioritise obtaining these. If you are able to, take photographs of the scene. If the other driver has no valid insurance or they flee the scene after the accident, you should contact the police and report the accident as soon as possible. If you are unable to do this, you should ask someone you trust to do so in your place.
- What can I do if my vehicle is damaged?
During the process of making a claim with us, our team can arrange for your vehicle to be inspected by a qualified engineer. This will help us to generate a report that will help to ensure the insurers pay the right amount of money for your repairs. If your car has to be written-off, we will aim to secure the value of your car.
- Can I arrange a like-for-like replacement?
Our team can arrange for you to receive a like-for-like replacement car while we work to secure you the funds for any repairs that need to be made, or until you can purchase a new car.
Talk to Us
Speak to our experienced team of solicitors today about making a car accident compensation claim by calling 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form and we will give you a call back as soon as we can to discuss your situation in greater detail.
