Road Traffic Accident (RTA) Claims – How Much Compensation Can You Claim?

While many road traffic accidents (RTAs) are minor and are little more than inconvenient, others can be more serious and result in significant injuries. Importantly, if you were injured in an RTA caused by somebody else, you may be eligible to make a road traffic accident claim for compensation.

We have a team of solicitors specialising in road traffic accidents who have been representing clients for many years. If your RTA claim is strong enough, they could agree to represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. That makes claims a lot less risky, in our opinion, as you won’t pay solicitors’ fees unless you are compensated.

Call 0800 6524 881 now to talk about what’s happened, or read on to find out how RTA compensation claims work and what you might be able to claim for.

Am I Eligible To Make A Road Traffic Accident Claim?

Generally, you may be eligible to make a road traffic accident claim if you can show:

• The other road user owed you a duty of care.
• They breached that duty through negligence, such as careless or dangerous driving.
• You suffered an injury as a result.

For example, you may be able to claim if you were injured because another driver failed to stop at a red traffic light, or if you were hit by a delivery van that pulled out of a side road without checking it was safe.

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to claim after an RTA, our claims advisors can review what happened and explain your options for free.

Can I Claim Compensation For An RTA If It Was Partly My Fault?

Depending on the circumstances, you may still be able to make a road traffic accident claim even if you were partly responsible. However, any compensation awarded could be reduced to reflect your share of the blame. This is known as contributory negligence.

For example, you might have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver pulling out of a side road without checking properly. However, if you were not wearing a seatbelt and your injuries were made worse as a result, your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.

Split liability can be complicated, so you should not assume you cannot claim just because you may have made a mistake.

Common Types Of Road Traffic Accidents

Road accidents can happen in all sorts of circumstances, and they’re not limited to collisions between cars. Some common types of RTA claims we could help with include:

• Rear-end shunts and collisions at roundabouts, junctions and traffic lights.
• Accidents caused by drivers failing to check mirrors, blind spots or approaching traffic before turning.
• Pedestrian accidents, including accidents on crossings, near junctions or where a vehicle mounts the pavement.
• Cycling accidents caused by drivers opening car doors, overtaking too closely or turning without checking properly.
• Accidents caused by dangerous road use, such as speeding, drink or drug driving, road rage or careless driving.

In addition to the above, it may be possible to claim compensation from the public body responsible for road maintenance if they failed to repair a dangerous pothole or road defect that caused your accident.

Common Injuries From Road Traffic Collisions

Road traffic accidents can cause anything from minor bruises to life-changing injuries. Some of the most common injuries resulting from RTAs include:

If your injury isn’t in the list, don’t worry. Our claims advisors will still provide you with free advice on RTA claims when you call.

Evidence To Support An RTA Compensation Claim

To support a road traffic accident claim, compiling comprehensive evidence is important for establishing the details of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and any financial losses incurred. Useful evidence includes:

• Photos or dashcam footage of the scene and vehicle damage.
• Contact details of witnesses and other drivers involved.
• Police reports or incident reference numbers.
• Medical records confirming your injuries and treatment.
• Proof of financial losses, such as vehicle repair bills, travel costs, or lost earnings.

If you don’t have everything, that’s totally fine. Your solicitor may also be able to help obtain CCTV footage, witness statements, and other records to support your RTA claim.

How Much Compensation Can You Get For A Road Traffic Accident?

There isn’t a set amount of compensation for an RTA, as no two claims are the same. The final settlement typically depends on the nature of your injuries and how they’ve impacted your life.

Usually, RTA claims are split into main parts:

• General damages – Where you ask for compensation to cover your pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. This can include physical and psychological injuries as well as any illnesses.
• Special damages – This is where you look to claim back any financial costs linked to the RTA. These could include care costs, prescription fees, non-NHS medical treatment costs, lost income, and modifications to your home if you’re left with a disability.

To help calculate compensation for general damages, you’ll usually need an independent medical assessment. This can often be arranged locally by your solicitor, where the specialist will assess you and report back on your injuries and future prognosis.

RTA Compensation Calculator

When road accident solicitors calculate compensation for general damages, they can refer to the guidelines set by the Judicial College. Therefore, to give you a general idea of what some injuries might be worth, our RTA compensation calculator bases its figures on those guidelines.

Please remember these are only guidelines, and your actual RTA compensation payout could be higher or lower depending on the specifics of your claim.

Time Limits For Claiming RTA Compensation

You usually have three years to start a road traffic accident claim under the Limitation Act 1980. This will often run from the date of the RTA. However, in some cases, the start date can vary. For example, if your injury was not immediately obvious, the three-year period may begin from your “date of knowledge”, which is when you first knew, or should reasonably have known, that you had suffered a significant injury linked to the accident.

There are also situations where the usual three-year time limit may not apply straight away, including:

• Children – A parent, guardian or another suitable adult can apply to act as a litigation friend and claim on the child’s behalf at any point before they turn 18. If no claim is made before then, the injured person usually has until their 21^st birthday to start their own claim.
• Lack of mental capacity – If the injured person does not have the mental capacity to make an RTA claim, the usual time limit will generally not run unless they regain capacity. A litigation friend may be able to claim on their behalf.

Because time limits can vary, it’s best to get advice as soon as possible if you’re unsure how long you have left. Starting early can also make it easier to gather evidence, contact witnesses and build a stronger road traffic accident claim.

Do I Need A Solicitor To Make An RTA Compensation Claim?

As you might know, dealing with insurance companies can be stressful as they’ll often aim to reduce or reject compensation claims wherever possible. For that reason alone, we think it’s much better to have an RTA solicitor representing you.

If your case is accepted by a solicitor from our team, they will handle everything for you. You won’t need to speak with the insurer, but you’ll be kept up to date throughout the RTA claims process. If a settlement is offered, your solicitor will review it carefully before advising whether it fairly reflects your injuries, suffering and financial losses.

Importantly, our accident claim solicitors operate on a No Win No Fee basis, so you won’t pay us a penny unless your case is successful. Plus, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your options before you decide what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we’ve answered some common questions about road traffic accident claims.

Starting The Road Traffic Accident Claims Process

If you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident and believe somebody else was to blame, it’s easy to find out where you stand. Call 0800 6524 881 today for a free consultation. Alternatively, you can connect to a claims advisor immediately via our live website chat or arrange a callback by filling out one of the forms on this page.

Where a claim looks strong enough, we can connect you with an experienced solicitor from our team to start your RTA claim pretty much immediately.

So, there’s no need to struggle alone. You can get free advice and start your road traffic accident claim today.