Making car accident claims can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with pain, time off work, an unresponsive insurer, or the stress of not knowing what happens next — you do not have to face it alone.
At NJS Law, our specialist car accident solicitors have over 200 years of combined experience recovering maximum compensation for injured drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians across England and Wales. We operate on a no win, no fee basis — so there is no financial risk to you, and no upfront cost to get started.
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Discover today if you’re eligible to make a claim.
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If you were injured in a car accident in England or Wales that was not your fault — or was only partly your fault — you are likely entitled to claim compensation. This applies whether you were:
The key legal requirement is that another party’s negligence — their failure to drive with reasonable care and attention — caused or contributed to your accident and your injuries. Our solicitors assess this for you, free of charge, in your first consultation.
Important: Time Limits Apply
In England and Wales you generally have three years from the date of the accident to start a car accident claim. For children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. Do not delay — evidence is harder to gather and witness memories fade. Contact NJS Law as soon as possible, even if you are still receiving medical treatment.
A car accident claim can cover two categories of compensation: general damages for your physical and psychological injuries, and special damages for your specific financial losses. Our solicitors calculate your full entitlement — including losses many claimants are unaware they can recover.
General damages cover the pain, suffering, and long-term impact your injuries have caused, including:
Special damages cover every financial cost caused by your accident. These are calculated individually and added on top of your injury compensation:
Type of Financial Loss | What This Covers |
Lost Earnings | Wages lost while unable to work, including bonuses and self-employed income |
Future Loss of Earnings | If your injuries affect your long-term earning capacity or career |
Medical and Rehabilitation Expenses | Physiotherapy, specialist consultations, prescriptions, private treatment |
Travel Costs | Getting to and from medical appointments and legal meetings |
Vehicle Repair or Replacement | The cost of fixing or replacing your car |
Care and Assistance | If a family member or carer supported you during recovery — even if unpaid |
Home Adaptations | Modifications required due to your injuries |
Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses | Any reasonable cost directly caused by the accident |
Our solicitors take care to identify and quantify every category of loss — not just the obvious ones. Many clients receive significantly more than they expected once the full picture is presented.
Compensation amounts vary depending on the type and severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life and work, and the specific circumstances of your accident. Below are indicative ranges based on the Judicial College Guidelines (17th Edition) and the updated 2025 Whiplash Tariff.
Since the government’s Whiplash Reform Programme, whiplash compensation in road traffic accidents is governed by a fixed tariff — amounts set by regulation based on how long symptoms last. From 31 May 2025, an updated tariff (approximately 15% higher than the 2021 figures) applies to all accidents occurring on or after that date:
Duration of Whiplash Symptoms | Tariff: Whiplash Only | Tariff: With Minor Psychological Injury |
Up to 3 months | £275 | £485 |
3 to 6 months | £560 | £840 |
6 to 9 months | £950 | £1,370 |
9 to 12 months | £1,320 | £1,870 |
12 to 15 months | £2,040 | £2,530 |
15 to 18 months | £3,000 | £3,510 |
18 to 24 months | £4,830 | £5,340 |
Whiplash injuries lasting more than 24 months fall outside the fixed tariff and are assessed individually under the Judicial College Guidelines — typically resulting in higher awards. Cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and horse riders are exempt from the tariff entirely and their claims are always assessed individually.
Injury Type | Severity | Indicative Range |
Neck injuries | Moderate | £7,410 – £36,120 |
Neck injuries | Severe | £36,120 – £139,210 |
Back injuries | Minor | Up to £11,730 |
Back injuries | Moderate | £11,730 – £36,390 |
Back injuries | Severe | £36,390 – £151,070 |
Knee injuries | Minor | Up to £14,840 |
Shoulder injuries | Moderate | £7,410 – £11,980 |
PTSD / Travel anxiety | Moderate | £7,680 – £21,730 |
PTSD / Travel anxiety | Severe | £56,180 – £94,470 |
Brain injury | Moderate | £43,060 – £219,070 |
Brain injury | Very Severe | £282,010 – £493,000+ |
These figures cover general damages only. Your special damages — lost earnings, medical costs, travel, care costs, and other financial losses — are calculated in addition and can significantly increase your total settlement.
Real NJS Law Results
£50,000 — head-on collision with long-term injuries
£28,000 — rear-end impact causing nerve damage
£24,000 — passenger injured in dangerous overtake
£12,500 — passenger in three-way collision
£11,500 — passenger with spinal fractures and ligament damage
Our specialist car accident solicitors handle the full range of road traffic accident claims across England and Wales, including:
• Rear-end collisions and shunts • Head-on and side-impact crashes • Roundabout and junction accidents • Motorway and dual carriageway accidents • Accidents caused by distracted or speeding drivers • Accidents involving company or fleet vehicles | • Hit-and-run claims via the MIB • Uninsured driver claims • Multi-vehicle pile-ups • Accidents on private roads • Claims where liability is disputed • Accidents involving foreign-registered vehicles |
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries • Back and spinal cord injuries • Neck and shoulder injuries • Broken or fractured bones • Knee, hip, and leg injuries | • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries • Facial and dental injuries • PTSD, anxiety, and travel phobia • Scarring and disfigurement • Chronic pain and long-term disability |
If you are unsure whether your accident or injury type qualifies, call us. Our team will give you an honest, no-pressure assessment at no cost.
We make the process as straightforward as possible. Here is what to expect from start to finish when you bring your claim to NJS Law:
Step | Stage | What Happens |
1 | Free Consultation | Call or contact us online. We assess your accident, your injuries, and your legal position — completely free, with no obligation to continue. |
2 | No Win No Fee Agreement | If you have a valid claim, we set up a Conditional Fee Agreement. You pay nothing upfront and nothing throughout. Our fee is only due if we win, and it is agreed with you in advance. |
3 | Evidence Gathering | We collect everything needed: medical records, the accident report or police reference, dashcam or CCTV footage, witness statements, and independent medical expert assessments. |
4 | Claim Submission | We formally notify the at-fault driver’s insurer. For lower-value whiplash claims (under £5,000), this is done via the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal. All other claims follow the standard personal injury litigation process. |
5 | Negotiation | We negotiate firmly on your behalf. We will advise you not to accept any early offer that undervalues your claim — insurers often offer less than your case is worth in the hope you will accept quickly. |
6 | Settlement or Court | Most car accident claims settle without going to court. If the insurer disputes liability or makes an unreasonably low offer, we advise you on court proceedings and represent you fully if needed. |
7 | Compensation Paid | Once agreed, your compensation is paid directly to you. We handle the recovery of costs from the other side — you keep the full amount we agreed at the start. |
Acting quickly after an accident protects both your safety and your legal position. Follow these steps as soon as it is safe to do so:
All NJS Law car accident claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis — formally known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means:
We will be clear about our fee and exactly what it means in pounds before you commit to anything. There are no hidden charges.
We also arrange After the Event (ATE) insurance to protect you against any adverse costs in the unlikely event your claim is unsuccessful. Your financial exposure is zero throughout.
No Financial Risk. No Hidden Costs.
Our no win no fee agreement is fully transparent. You will know exactly what you will receive before we start.
If we do not win, you pay nothing — and we carry ATE insurance to cover any third-party costs.
Stay informed with practical advice and in-depth guides on car accident claims. From understanding liability in road traffic collisions to learning how compensation is calculated, our resources are designed to give you clarity and confidence.
Browse the latest articles to see how real cases are handled, what factors affect compensation, and how our solicitors approach car accident claims. These insights can help you understand your rights and what to expect when making a claim.
NJS Law is a specialist personal injury and medical negligence firm, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Our road traffic accident team is led by solicitors with decades of dedicated RTA experience — not generalists, but specialists who have handled thousands of car accident claims.
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At NJS Law, our solicitors are trusted professionals with a client-first approach.
We’ve helped hundreds of car accident victims secure compensation
and we’re ready to help you too.
Unsure whether your accident gives you the right to claim?
Our team will review your situation and explain your options clearly.
Call us or complete our form for a free consultation.
An experienced solicitor will confirm your eligibility and guide you on the next steps.
Learn more about real car accident claims and how compensation is secured. Our latest case studies and legal insights show how different car accident injuries are handled, the challenges clients face, and the outcomes our solicitors achieve.
From minor collisions and whiplash to serious road traffic accidents, these stories highlight the importance of expert legal support in securing fair compensation.
Browse the latest accident at work resources below:
Car accident claims form part of NJS Law’s broader road traffic accident and personal injury practice. You may also find the following services relevant:
In England and Wales you have three years from the date of the accident to start a personal injury claim. For children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. For claimants who lacked mental capacity at the time, different rules may apply. We strongly recommend contacting a solicitor as soon as possible — evidence is much easier to gather in the weeks and months after an accident than years later.
Yes. Under the principle of contributory negligence, you may still be entitled to compensation even if you were partly responsible. Your award would be reduced by the proportion of fault attributed to you — for example, if you were found 20% responsible, you would receive 80% of the total compensation. Our solicitors will advise you honestly on how liability is likely to be assessed in your specific case.
Yes. As a passenger you are almost never considered to be at fault for an accident. You can claim against the driver of the vehicle you were in, the driver of another vehicle involved, or both. This applies even if the at-fault driver is a friend or family member — the claim is made against their motor insurance, not against them personally.
You can still claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB exists specifically to compensate victims of uninsured drivers and untraced hit-and-run drivers. NJS Law has experience handling MIB claims and can guide you through the additional steps this process involves.
Whiplash compensation for adult car occupants is set by a fixed government tariff based on how long your symptoms last. Under the updated tariff effective from 31 May 2025, amounts range from £275 for symptoms lasting up to three months, to £4,830 for symptoms lasting 18 to 24 months. If your whiplash lasts more than two years, or if you are a cyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist, your claim is assessed individually under the Judicial College Guidelines and may be significantly higher. Special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, and other losses are added on top of the tariff figure.
The vast majority of car accident claims are settled out of court through negotiation. NJS Law’s experienced team works hard to achieve a fair settlement without litigation. If the insurer disputes liability or refuses to make a reasonable offer, we will advise you on whether to proceed to court and will represent you fully if you do.
This depends on the complexity of your case. Straightforward claims submitted via the Official Injury Claim portal may settle within a few months. More complex cases — involving disputed liability, serious injuries, or long-term financial losses — can take one to two years or longer. We will give you a realistic timeframe for your specific situation from the very first consultation.
Yes. Psychological injuries — including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and travel phobia — are fully recoverable alongside physical injuries. An expert psychiatric or psychological report is typically required. Based on the Judicial College Guidelines, compensation for moderate PTSD ranges from £7,680 to £21,730; for severe PTSD, from £56,180 to £94,470. These figures are in addition to any physical injury compensation.
Strong evidence significantly improves your outcome. Useful evidence includes: the police accident report or reference number; photographs of the scene, vehicles, and injuries; dashcam or CCTV footage; independent witness contact details; medical records and GP notes from after the accident; and receipts for any related expenses. You do not need to have everything in place before contacting us — gathering evidence is part of the service we provide.
Claiming against the at-fault driver’s insurance — rather than your own policy — does not affect your no-claims bonus, because you are not making a claim through your own insurer. You are, however, required by your insurer to notify them of the accident. Our solicitors can advise you on how to do this correctly to protect your policy.
For fast, friendly affordable legal advice. Contact a member of our team today.
Leanne studied the Bar Vocational Course at the BPP Law School in Leeds, and graduated with Very Competent, before cross-qualifying as a Solicitor in 2013.
Leanne began her legal career in 2009, specialising in Personal Injury claims, with experience across Road Traffic Accidents, Employer and Public Liability cases, and Medical Negligence matters.
As Head of Personal Injury, Leanne is instrumental in driving the growth and evolution of the Employer and Public Liability team, along with the Medical, Dental, and Cosmetic Negligence departments.
In her personal life Leanne enjoys holidaying and days out with her young family.
David joined the RTA team bringing with him over 25 years’ experience in Personal Injury Litigation. David has successfully pursued many disputed Road Traffic Accident claims through to trial, ranging from Liability Disputes, Occupancy Issues, Allegations of fraud, Low Velocity Impact, and Serious Injury claims.
In his spare time David enjoys travelling, cycling and football and has recently started to explore the world of Cooking.
Rachel completed a Batchelor of Education at the Manchester Metropolitan University before undertaking a change in career in 2004.
Since then, Rachel has been dealing with litigated personal injury matters. She has a vast knowledge of the claims process and in her previous role dealt with a varied caseload of Road Traffic Accidents, Employment and Public Liability matters.
In her spare time, Rachel is an avid Manchester City supporter and enjoys holidays and long dog walks with her family.
Stephen is part of the RTA Department and has over 11 years’ experience in dealing with road traffic accident claims.
Stephen enjoys socialising and going out for meals and drinks with friends and family in his down time. He is also an avid fan of film and television series and has a keen interest in cooking.
Rehana completed a Batchelor of Law Degree at Leeds Metropolitan University in 2013, Since then she has been working in the personal injury area of Law, focusing on Road traffic accident claims. Rehana has vast knowledge of the claims process in 2015 having dealt with various types of Road traffic accident claim.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, holidays and reading.
Wendy is part of the RTA Department and brings extensive experience in claims and litigation.
In her spare time, Wendy enjoys hiking, canoeing, painting, travelling and playing pool.
