Road Traffic Accidents – your Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Being involved in a road traffic accident can be very distressing for all those involved, if the individuals in the vehicle not at fault have been injured in the accident they are entitled to make a claim for compensation for their injuries whether they are the driver or a passenger. Bringing a claim for personal injury can be intimidating, especially if the claimant has never experienced the process before.
Here are some of our frequently asked questions to reduce apprehensions about bringing a claim for personal injury after being involved in a road traffic accident.
Is there a time limit for bringing a claim?
If you’ve been involved in an accident, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim for personal injury. If a minor is involved in an accident they can also claim, however if the litigation friend chooses not to bring a claim for the minor at the time of the accident the child will still have 3 years from the date of their 18th birthday to bring their own claim forward.
I was a passenger, can I make a claim?
Yes, if you were involved in an accident as a passenger you can make a claim for personal injury whether you were in the fault vehicle or the non-fault vehicle. If you were a passenger in a fault vehicle you will be claiming against the insurance of the driver of the vehicle you were in.
How Much Compensation will I get?
The amount of compensation awarded is dependent on the severity of the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the accident. We will arrange a questionnaire based medical appointment with a doctor to discuss the injuries that you sustained from the accident, these appointments usually last around 10 minutes. They will then write up a report confirming the injuries you have and how long they predict the injuries will last for. The medical expert will also let us know if they recommend any further treatment for the claimant, such as physio. We will then use this report to value how much your claim is worth based on the severity, how long it is expected to last for and if further treatment is required.
Will I have to pay anything?
No, we operate all of our claims on a No win No Fee basis. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful then you should not be charged anything. The No Win No Fee arrangement will mean that there is nothing for you to pay upfront and, if your claim is successful, you will pay no more than 25% of the amount you are awarded.
Will it affect my no claims?
No, if you are making a claim for personal injury after being involved in a non-fault accident it will not affect your no claims bonus.
How Long will it take?
Every claim is different due to a variety of factors such as accident circumstances and injuries. Bringing a claim for personal injury on average can take anywhere between 3 months and 6 months to be settled.
Will I have to go to court?
The percentage of cases that end up going to court is very small. Liability is usually admitted early on in the claim process, meaning there is no need to go to court. It is highly unlikely for a case to go to court, however if it does, your solicitor will advise and support you throughout the process.
