This guide aims to explore the question ‘how long do car accident personal injury claims take?’ by looking at the different factors that can influence the time a claim takes to settle.
If you have sustained harm in a car accident that was somebody else’s fault, you might also wish to know whether you’re eligible to seek compensation. In this guide, we will explore the criteria your claim needs to meet, including whether you have enough time to claim.
Additionally, we will explore the different steps you can take to build a strong case, including gathering evidence. Furthermore, this guide will look at how compensation is often calculated.
For more information, you can continue reading. Alternatively, you can speak with a member of our team. Get in touch by:
- Calling the number at the top of the page.
- Using our live chat feature located at the bottom of your screen.
- Filling out our contact form with your query.
Choose A Section
- How Long Do Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Take?
- Calculating Compensation For A Vehicle Accident
- Explaining Vehicle Accidents
- What Does The Vehicle Accident Claims Process Involve?
- What Is A No Win No Fee Agreement?
- More Information – How Long Do Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Take?
How Long Do Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Take?
A car accident can occur when a vehicle collides with a person, an object, or another vehicle. This type of road traffic accident can happen for many reasons; a driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not concentrating whilst on their phone or lose control of their car due to an icy surface, for example.
However, for an accident to form the basis of a valid claim, you must prove that another road user was fully or partially responsible for the accident or the injuries you sustained.
A car accident can happen for various reasons, and the injuries you could suffer can vary. As such, your potential car accident settlement can depend on the unique circumstances of your case. Different factors can also influence the amount of time it takes for a claim to settle, such as:
- Whether the defendant admits liability
- The complexity of your case
- Whether further evidence is required for your case
Additionally, the Whiplash Reform Programme can affect certain claims. As of the 31st May 2021, passengers and drivers of vehicles who are over the age of 18, must make their claims through the government portal if they have sustained injuries valued at £5,000 or less. In these instances, injuries are valued in line with the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021.
If you’re still wondering ‘how long do car accident personal injury claims take?’, get in touch with our team on the number above.
Calculating Compensation For A Vehicle Accident
If your claim is successful, your car accident payout could comprise general damages and special damages. The two heads of claim seek to compensate you for the various different ways your injuries impacted your life.
General damages account for any physical harm and mental suffering sustained as a result of your injuries. When valuing this head of claim, legal professionals can use several resources, such as medical evidence and a document called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG contains a list of injuries varying in severity with a corresponding compensation bracket. We have included some of these figures in the table below.
However, you should only use the figures below as a guide because settlements can vary depending on the unique circumstances of your claim.
| Injury | Compensation Bracket | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Leg | £240,790 to £282,010 | (a) Amputations (i) Both legs are lost. |
| Leg | £17,960 to £27,760 | (c) Less serious (i) A fracture that doesn’t make a full recovery. This bracket also includes serious soft tissue injuries. |
| Arm | £96,160 to £130,930 | (a) Severe: Injuries falling short of amputation. They are still extremely serious in nature though. |
| Arm | £6,610 to £19,200 | (d) A forearm fracture that is simple. |
| Neck | £65,740 to £130,930 | (a) Severe (ii) Injuries including in this bracket include cervical disc damage leading to considerable disabilities. |
| Wrist | £47,620 to £59,860 | (a) There is a complete loss of function in the wrist. |
| Foot | £24,990 to £39,200 | (e) Serious: Less severe injuries leading to ongoing pain and other issues. |
| Knee | £14,840 to £26,190 | (b) Moderate (i) This bracket includes injuries such as a torn cartilage or dislocation. |
| Hand | £12,170 to £18,740 | (i) The index finger is partially or totally lost. |
| Shoulder | £7,890 to £12,770 | (c) Moderate: The person will experience limited movement and discomfort due to frozen shoulder. |
Special damages compensate you for any financial losses incurred because of your injuries. This head of claim could also be included in your settlement. Financial losses that might be reimbursed include:
- Loss of pay
- Medical expenses
- Care costs
- Home adaptations
It is important to keep a record of receipts, invoices or payslips to be used as evidence when proving any monetary losses.
The time it takes for compensation to be awarded can vary. However, for more information on how long car accident personal injury claims take to settle, call our team.
Explaining Vehicle Accidents
The Road Traffic Act 1988 is a piece of legislation that sets out the duty of care for road users. It states that all road users should behave in a manner that avoids themselves and others from being harmed while using the road. Additionally, road users should adhere to the rules set out in the Highway Code. The Highway Code also includes guidelines and different responsibilities each road user has. A failure to uphold the duty of care they owe could result in accidents.
Examples of road traffic accidents involving cars can include:
- Another driver texts while driving and when overtaking they collide with your vehicle head-on. As a result, you could suffer from a severe head injury.
- A driver fails to check their mirrors before changing lanes, as a result they knock a cyclist off their bike causing them to sustain multiple injuries.
- An intoxicated driver might fail to see you stopped at a junction ahead and rear-end you causing you to suffer from whiplash.
Every road user has a duty of care towards one another. If another road user breaches the duty of care they owed you, this is known as negligence. If negligence causes you harm, you might be able to seek compensation.
What Does The Vehicle Accident Claims Process Involve?
You can take several steps in the aftermath of your accident. Firstly, you should seek medical attention. This will allow you to receive care for your injuries, but it will also generate medical records that can later be used as evidence.
Other examples of evidence you can gather include:
- Witness contact details – Your legal representation could acquire witness statements at a later date
- CCTV footage or dashcam footage- You can request CCTV footage if the event was caught on camera.
- Photos – Take picture evidence of the scene and/or the injuries you sustain.
Lastly, you should seek legal representation. A solicitor can help you gather any evidence needed as well as support you with other areas of your claim.
Before making your claim, you should consider the time limit in place to start a car accident claim. The time limit is generally three years from the date the accident happened or the date you connected the injuries you sustained with negligence. However, there are exceptions that may apply in some cases. Call us for more information. An advisor can also discuss how long car accident personal injury claims take.
What Is A No Win No Fee Agreement?
A No Win No Fee solicitor can help you through the claims process and answer any questions you have, such as, “How long do car accident personal injury claims take?”. A popular type of No Win No Fee agreement is known as a Conditional Fee Agreement.
Using this type of arrangement, you don’t pay your solicitor for the services they provide you if your case fails. If your claim is successful, you will pay a legally capped success fee that will be deducted from your compensation.
Find out whether you are eligible to have a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel represent you by getting in touch with our team today.
Ask Us “How Long Do Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Take?”
Our team of advisors are available to help you with any queries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They offer free legal advice, and if you have an eligible claim, they may connect you with a solicitor from our panel who can help you when making a claim. Also, they can provide further guidance if you’re still unsure how long car accident personal injury claims take.
Get in touch by:
- Calling the number at the top of the page.
- Using our live chat feature located at the bottom of your screen.
- Filling out our contact form with your query.
More Information – How Long Do Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Take?
Please find additional external resources below and links to some of our other guides.
- Think!: Road safety laws
- NHS: First Aid
- GOV: Compensation After An Accident Or Injury
- Public liability claim examples
- Can I sue my doctor for negligence?
- Accident at work claims
We hope this guide has provided an insight into how long car accident personal injury claims take. However, if you need any other information, call our team on the number above.
Writer Beck Parkins
Editor Meg Morrissey