Road Traffic Accident Claims — No Win, No Fee Solicitors
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
If you were injured in a road traffic accident that was wholly or partly someone else's fault, you may be entitled to compensation. EA Personal Injury Solicitors handles RTA claims 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
- Road users owe each other a duty of care — a breach causing injury gives rise to a claim
- Claims against uninsured or untraced drivers can be pursued through the Motor Insurers' Bureau
- Three-year time limit applies in most cases
- Passengers, cyclists and pedestrians can all claim against negligent drivers
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
Who Is Responsible for a Road Traffic Accident?
Every road user — drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians — owes a duty of care to other road users. Where that duty is breached, for example by driving negligently, failing to observe road signs, using a mobile phone at the wheel, driving while impaired or exceeding the speed limit, and that breach causes an accident in which someone is injured, the negligent party may be liable to pay compensation.
In some cases more than one party may bear responsibility. A solicitor can assess the circumstances and advise on the likely outcome of a liability argument.
Types of Road Traffic Accident We Handle
- Car and vehicle collisions — rear-end shunts, head-on collisions, side impacts, roundabout accidents
- Motorcycle accidents — often causing serious injuries due to the vulnerability of riders
- Cycling accidents — collisions with vehicles, door-opening incidents, inadequate road surface maintenance
- Pedestrian accidents — struck by vehicles on roads, in car parks or on pavements
- HGV and lorry accidents — frequently serious due to the size and weight differential
- Accidents involving uninsured or untraced drivers
- Accidents on motorways and dual carriageways
- Accidents caused by defective road surfaces or poor highway maintenance
Steps to Take After a Road Traffic Accident
The steps you take immediately after an accident can significantly affect your claim:
- Ensure everyone's safety and call emergency services if needed
- Do not admit liability at the scene — this is a matter for insurers and lawyers
- Exchange names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers and insurance details with all drivers involved
- Report the accident to the police if someone is injured, or if the other driver failed to stop
- Photograph the vehicles, road positions, damage, debris and any skid marks
- Note weather conditions, road markings and any relevant signage
- Collect names and contact details of any witnesses
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even for apparently minor injuries
- Report the accident to your own insurer
- Contact a solicitor to discuss your claim
Motor Insurers' Bureau Claims
If the driver who caused your accident was uninsured or failed to stop and has not been traced, you may be able to claim compensation from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). The MIB operates two schemes: the Uninsured Drivers Agreement and the Untraced Drivers Agreement. Both have specific conditions and time limits, and it is important to report the accident to the police and notify the MIB promptly. We can guide you through the MIB claims process.
Evidence in Road Traffic Accident Claims
Useful evidence includes photographs of the scene, dashcam footage (your own or from other vehicles), CCTV from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, witness statements, police accident reports, medical records and repair estimates. If you have dashcam footage, preserve it immediately as some devices overwrite footage automatically.
What Compensation Can Cover
Road traffic accident compensation may include general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, plus special damages for lost earnings, medical treatment, physiotherapy, vehicle repair or replacement, travel expenses and care costs. In serious injury cases — for example brain injury or spinal cord injury resulting from a high-speed collision — future losses including loss of future earnings and long-term care can form the largest part of the 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 Road Traffic Accident Claims
We act on a no win, no fee basis under a Conditional Fee Agreement. You pay nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. The terms will be explained to you clearly and in plain English before you sign any agreement. We will also advise on After the Event insurance to protect against adverse costs orders.