Car Accident Claims — Personal Injury Compensation
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and financial losses. EA Personal Injury Solicitors acts on a no win, no fee basis — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Car accident injuries from whiplash to serious trauma can all be claimed for
- Three-year time limit — take advice promptly to preserve your position
- Do not accept insurer offers without independent legal advice
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
- Passengers and third-party drivers can all make claims
Car Accident Injuries and Your Right to Claim
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury in the UK. Even relatively low-speed collisions can cause significant injuries, particularly to the neck and spine. If another driver's negligent driving caused or contributed to your accident, you have the right to seek compensation for the harm you have suffered.
Negligent driving can take many forms: failing to observe traffic signals, tailgating, driving while distracted by a mobile phone, failing to give way, excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or simply failing to pay proper attention to the road. In every case, the injured person must establish that the driver's negligence caused the accident and their injuries.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a very wide spectrum of injuries, from minor soft-tissue strains to catastrophic, life-altering conditions:
- Whiplash and soft-tissue neck and back injuries — the most common car accident injuries, caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the head on impact
- Fractures — wrists, arms, ankles, legs, ribs and collarbones are frequently broken in collisions
- Head and brain injuries — from concussion to traumatic brain injury depending on severity of impact
- Facial injuries — lacerations, broken nose or jaw, dental injuries
- Knee and shoulder injuries — ligament damage and dislocations from bracing for impact
- Psychological injuries — post-traumatic stress disorder, travel anxiety and depression are recognised and compensatable
- Internal injuries — requiring emergency medical intervention
The Official Injury Claim Portal and Low-Value Claims
Since May 2021, low-value road traffic accident claims (those with a value of up to £5,000 for injury in accidents involving motor vehicles) are processed through the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal. The portal is designed for unrepresented claimants, but many people find navigating it complex and are at risk of undervaluing their claim, particularly where injuries are more than minor or include psychological components. A solicitor can assist you in ensuring your claim is properly valued before you settle.
Evidence to Support Your Car Accident Claim
- Photographs of both vehicles, the road scene and your visible injuries
- Dashcam footage from your vehicle or nearby vehicles
- CCTV from nearby premises or traffic cameras
- The other driver's name, address, vehicle registration and insurance details
- Police reference number if the accident was reported
- Witness names and contact details
- Medical records and GP or A&E attendance records
- Payslips showing lost income if you have been unable to work
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Your compensation will be assessed under two heads. General damages compensate for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by your injuries, assessed by reference to medical evidence and the Judicial College Guidelines. Special damages cover your actual financial losses: lost earnings, medical expenses, physiotherapy, vehicle repair or hire costs, travel to appointments, and care provided by family members.
For serious injuries — such as traumatic brain injury or permanent spinal damage — future losses including loss of earning capacity and long-term care costs can substantially increase the total award.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Whiplash (drivers/passengers, up to 24 months — statutory tariff) | £275–£4,975 |
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Moderate back injury (good prognosis) | c. £12,000–£27,000 |
| Moderate brain injury | c. £40,000–£205,000 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Car Accident Claims
We act on a Conditional Fee Agreement (no win, no fee). If your claim is unsuccessful you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. We explain the terms clearly before you sign. We can also advise on After the Event insurance to protect you against potential adverse costs in the event your claim fails.