How Long Do Car Accident Claims Take To Complete?

Are you wondering, “how long do car accident claims take to complete?”. If so, this guide will provide you with clarity on this question. Firstly, it is important to understand the criteria that must be met in order for you to have a valid claim for a car accident:

How long do car accident claims take

How long do car accident claims take? A guide

  • A road user owed you a duty of care
  • They breached this duty of care
  • As a result of this breach, you were injured  

The breach of a duty of care is called negligence. Road users have a duty of care to act in a way that reduces the risk of injury to themselves and others. The Highway Code outlines the responsibilities of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to navigate the roads safely. Also, the Road Traffic Act 1988 is the legislation in place that defines driving offences. 

Road traffic accidents can cause physical and psychological injuries of various severity. Therefore, you may be suffering from life-changing casualties, for which you could claim compensation. 

As each claim has a unique set of details, it is hard to provide an average time for the question of how long accident claims take. However, if you would like further information relating to your specific case, speak to our team of advisors. They are available 24/7 to help you at a time that is convenient for you.  

You can:

  • Call 0113 460 1215
  • Visit our page to claim online
  • Speak to an advisor by using the live chat feature at the bottom of the page

Choose A Section

  1. How Long Do Car Accident Claims Take?
  2. What Is A Car Accident?
  3. Examples Of Car Accidents
  4. How Much Could I Get For A Car Accident Claim?
  5. Where Can I Find No Win No Fee Solicitors?
  6. More Information – How Long Do Car Accident Claims Take?

How Long Do Car Accident Claims Take?

Firstly, we will answer the question, “how long after a car accident can I claim?” The Limitation Act 1980 outlines the time limits in personal injury claims. It states that you have three years following the accident or following the date you related your injuries to someone else’s negligence to start your claim.

However, there are some exceptions. If you are under the age of eighteen, the time limit starts from your eighteenth birthday. Before this, you can appoint a litigation friend to represent you, and no time limit applies. Similarly, if you lack the mental capacity to make a claim, the time limits apply from your recovery date, if applicable. A litigation friend can claim for you at any point while you’re unable to do so yourself. 

Don’t hesitate to contact our advisors for an answer to the question, “how long do car accident claims take to settle?” They can discuss your accident and provide more information on the personal injury claims process. 

Car Accident Statistics

The  Department for Transport provides useful road accident statistics for the year ending June 2021. These figures are based on police reports and are provisional.  

  • There were an estimated 1,390 road deaths.
  • There were an estimated 23,140 serious injuries. 
  • There were 95,320 slightly injured road users. 
  • There were 119,850 casualties of all severities. 

What Is A Car Accident?

Various different factors can cause car accidents to happen. However, to make a road traffic accident claim, you must prove that your injury resulted from another road user’s negligence.

Some examples of different car accidents that could occur as a result of negligence include: 

  • Head-on collision – Two cars crash head-on into one another. 
  • T-Bone – A car crashes into the side of another car. 
  • Rear end – A car hitting the back bumper of another vehicle. 

You could claim after a car accident as the non-fault driver. However, you may also be able to claim if you were a passenger, either in a car or on public transport such as a bus.

If you’re still wondering, “how long do car accident claims take?” then speak with an advisor today.

Examples Of Car Accidents

Following is an example of how a road user’s negligence can cause a car accident. A driver chooses to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and crashes into another car, injuring the other road users. This is negligence as it is dangerous and illegal to drive over the legal limit of alcohol. The other road users could claim if they can show that their injuries were caused by the drunk driver breaching their duty of care.       

Following an accident, it is important to seek medical attention for your injuries immediately. Then, you should consider how you can prove what happened. To prove a personal injury claim, you must collect evidence that shows negligence was the cause of the accident. You could collect:  

  • Photographic evidence – Take images of the scene and of your injuries as they heal. 
  • Video footage – This could be CCTV or dashcam footage showing the accident.  
  • Witness contact details – take contact details as you cannot take a witness statement; this must be obtained by a relevant third party, such as a solicitor. 
  • Medical reports – These can show the severity of the injuries and any treatments required.  

Finally, it is recommended that you seek legal advice to begin seeking compensation for your injuries. It’s not a legal requirement, but having someone guide you through the process of making a claim can be very useful. Contact our team for helpful advice on the question, “how long do car accident claims take to complete?”  

How Much Could I Get For A Car Accident Claim?

There are two potential heads of personal injury claims; these are general damages and special damages. General damages account for the physical and mental pain and suffering caused by your injuries. On the other hand, special damages account for the future and past financial losses caused by the injuries.   

Firstly, as a guide to valuing the general damages awarded for different injuries in the table below, we will refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), produced in April 2022. Legal professionals use this document as a guide for valuing settlements. The compensation figures are compiled from previously awarded amounts. 

InjuryDetailsCompensation Bracket
Leg Injuries (a) (iv)Amputation of one leg below the knee.£97,980 to £132,990
Severe Leg Injuries (iv)Complicated or multiple fractures and crush injuries. These are generally to one limb. £27,760 to £39,200
Severe Arm Injuries Extremely serious injuries that fall just short of amputation. £96,160 to £130,930
Less Severe Arm InjuriesThe injury causes significant disabilities but a substantial recovery will be made. £19,200 to £39,170
Chest Injuries (b)A traumatic injury to the lungs, chest or heart, which causes permanent damage, disability and a reduction in life expectancy. £65,740 to £100,670
Chest Injuries (d)Simple injuries, for example, a penetrating wound, that causes permanent damage but has no serious long-term effects on lung function. £12,590 to £17,960
Chest Injuries (g)Rib fractures or soft tissue damage that causes serious pain and disability for a period of weeks. Up to £3,950
Severe Back Injuries (iii)Disc lesions, fractures of discs or soft tissue injuries, that lead to chronic conditions.£38,780 to £69,730
Less Severe Injuries to the ElbowThe injury will cause impairment of function. However, there will not be major surgery or significant disability. £15,650 to £32,010
Moderate Shoulder Injuries A frozen shoulder with limited movement. The symptoms persist for around two years. Also, non-permanent soft tissue injuries with moderate symptoms. £7,890 to £12,770

Please consider that these figures are just a guide, and the amount of car accident compensation awarded for each claim differs. 

Secondly, special damages can reimburse you for expenses such as past and future loss of earnings, travel, and care costs. It is important to note that you must keep evidence of special damages. This could be travel tickets, payslips and bank records.

Contact our advisors to find out “how long does a car accident claim take to settle?” They can provide you with further information on the process of claiming. 

Where Can I Find No Win No Fee Solicitors?

Using a solicitor to make a claim is not a legal requirement. However, a solicitor can help you navigate legal processes and provide guidance.

Moreover, opting for a kind of No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), provides the financial security to pursue your claim with legal representation. A No Win No Fee agreement means you do not have to pay for your solicitor’s services upfront, during the claim or in the event that your claim is unsuccessful. However, your solicitor will take a small percentage of the awarded compensation if your car accident claim is successful. This is known as a ‘success fee’ and is capped by the law.      

Our panel of personal injury solicitors can offer you the opportunity of entering into a No Win No Fee Agreement. Contact our advisors today to see if your claim is eligible.   

Ask Us “How Long Do Car Accident Claims Take?”

Are you still wondering, “how long do car accident claims take to settle”? If so, contact our helpful team of advisors to discuss your claim. They are available daily, at any time, and there are no obligations to proceed further with our panel of solicitors.   

You can get in touch using the details below:

  • Call 0113 460 1215
  • Visit our page to claim online
  • Speak to an advisor by using the live chat feature at the bottom of the page

More Information – How Long Do Car Accident Claims Take?

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Thank you for reading this article; we hope we have answered your question, “how long do car accident claims take?”. 

Writer Jess Oakland

Publisher Fern Stringer