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A Road Accident Injury Claim is a vital process for those injured in an accident.
Whichever your role in the event, if you were involved in a road traffic accident that was not your fault, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
The team of personal injury solicitors here at Lanyon Bowdler has vast experience of handling claims for compensation for injuries, damage to vehicles and loss of earnings.
We have a track record of winning cases against negligent road users, and will offer friendly, professional legal advice to make sure you claim the maximum amount of compensation.
Am I eligible to make a Road Accident Claim?
Whatever your involvement in the accident, if you have been injured – whether physically or psychologically – due to the negligence of another road user, it is highly likely that you will be able to claim compensation.
It is vital to build a strong case to prove the liability of the party responsible for your injury. Our Road Accident Solicitors have decades of experience in this field, and can ensure your claim is presented with clear evidence, and that you get the compensation you deserve.
Claims are made against the insurer of the person or company responsible for the accident, so liaising with insurance companies is a crucial part of our service. By understanding your circumstances and the effect that the accident has had on your life, we can reach the best possible outcome for your case, and often avoid court hearings.
How much compensation can I get for a road accident?
The amount of compensation you can get after being injured in a road accident can vary greatly. Our Road Accident Solicitors will provide a calculation based on:
- The severity of your injury
- The Judicial College Guidelines
- Any costs you have incurred since the accident
- Projected future losses
Our solicitors will start negotiations with the other party based on this calculation, and agree on an amount with you before proceeding. We will always advise you on the next best step for your case, and never settle for less than we think your claim is worth.
Your Road Traffic Accident Compensation Questions Answered
Our knowledgeable solicitors have experience in dealing with road traffic accident claims. Get in touch today and we can help you gain the compensation that you deserve.
Your compensation payout following an accident is generally divided in General Damages and Special Damages.
General damages are compensation for the road accident and the injury itself. This amount is based on the severity of the injury, and the ranges of compensation are outlined in the Judicial College Guidelines. Your RTA Solicitor will use these as a basis to calculate the value of your road accident claim.
Special damages will reimburse you for losses, costs, and expenses incurred as a result of the accident. This financial award is usually to pay for things like:
- Damage to personal property or a vehicle
- Hire car charges
- Loss of earnings
- Private medical and rehabilitation fees
- Policy excess or the value of a vehicle
- Care costs
Yes, traffic injury claims made in England and Wales are subject to time limits.
Generally, you must start legal proceedings related to a road traffic accident within 3 years of the original injury. There are a few exception for cases such as:
You weren’t aware of the full extent of the injury until some time after the accident. In these cases, you can make a claim up to 3 years from the “date of knowledge”.
The claimant is under the age of 18. They may claim with the support of a litigation friend any time before their 18th birthday, and up to 3 years after it.
The claimant lacks mental capacity. If the claimant is not granted mental capacity, they may start their claim any time, or up to 3 years from the date they are granted mental capacity.
Extensions to the time limit for personal injury claims are rarely permitted for any special circumstances. This is not a time limit to seek legal advice: the legal process of claiming compensation must be started before the time limit ends. If you’re unsure of the validity of your claim, contact our Road Accident Solicitors today.
The time it takes to settle a road accident claim is hard to predict without having a thorough assessment of your case.
We have represented claimants in relatively straightforward claims, with clear liability and admission from a third party, which have been settled in a few months to a year. However, more complex cases, involving more advanced negotiation and sometimes court hearings, can take as long as 3 years.
Our priority is ensuring you get justice, and receive the amount of compensation you deserve for your accident. We will always communicate with you, and provide transparency on the whole process as we move forward with your claim.
The nature of traffic accidents means that a range of injuries can happen as a consequence. Lanyon Bowdler has supported and represented claimants in all types of claims for a road accident injury, from minor to life-changing. Some of the most common cases we have experienced include:
If you have suffered any type of injury, regardless of the severity, your daily life may be impacted both in the short and long term. Contact us today to find out how we can help you claim compensation for your injuries.
If you were involved in a “hit and run” incident and the individual responsible cannot be traced, was uninsured, or was driving a foreign vehicle, it is still possible to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). This was established to help people claim compensation from negligent, uninsured and untraced motorists, as well as helping to identify insurers for foreign vehicles.
What our clients say.
What is the Road Traffic Accident Claim process?
The process of claiming compensation for a road traffic accident can seem daunting, but our team is here to help. Lanyon Bowdler’s Road Accident Solicitors have years of experience navigating the legal process surrounding compensation, and consistently achieve amazing results for our clients.
The priority should always be ensuring the safety of those injured and arranging medical care when needed. Once this has been taken care of, please contact our team to get started on your Road Accident Claim.
Gathering evidence
A strong case for compensation starts with strong evidence. It is crucial to collect as much documentation as possible, including photos, videos and witness testimonies from the accident, and independent medical records of your injuries.
Identifying the defendant
While this will be clear in many cases, it isn’t always obvious who is at fault for an accident. It may also be true that the responsibility is shared across multiple parties, which may include the claimant themself.
Calculating payout
Based on the severity of your injuries and the effect they had on your life, we will proceed to calculate a fair amount of compensation you could be entitled to. We start from the Judicial College Guidelines, conclude a range of acceptable general damages, and analyse all financial losses to add to your compensation.
Negotiate award
Our solicitors will use the compensation award they calculate to begin negotiations with the responsible party. They may admit liability (fully or partially) and make a counter-offer, or refuse responsibility. In some rare cases, we will advise you to advance your case to court proceedings. However, we often obtain compensation for road accident injuries before reaching this stage.
Do I need to make a road accident claim via the OIC?
The Ministry of Justice has launched the Official Injury Claim (OIC) Portal in 2021 in an attempt to reduce the legal costs of claims and insurance premiums as a result of minor RTA injuries. Road users can now claim up to £5,000 through the portal – with the exception of vulnerable users such as cyclists and motorcyclists, who can only submit claims for up to £1,000.
Whiplash and minor soft tissue injuries have been the focus of the new system, however complex injury claims could technically be made. The new portal has received mixed feedback from both claimants and legal professionals, who can both lack the protocols and guidelines to make or respond to claims effectively.
If you have suffered minor injuries following a traffic accident, and are looking to claim below £5,000 for soft tissue damage, you may claim through the OIC as a litigant in person. However, this process may cause your claim’s settlement to be undervalued.
Contact our Road Traffic Accident Solicitors
If you have been injured following an accident on the road that was not your fault, we can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
We can assist you through the entire process of making a claim for compensation, as well as taking steps to aid and improve your physical recovery. We are recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as one of the country’s leading serious injury & personal injury claims solicitors practices. Whatever injury has befallen you, we are ready to help. You can count on Lanyon Bowdler to fight hard to secure you the maximum compensation deserved and to ensure your physical and emotional well-being are completely catered for.
You can drop into our offices during working hours. No appointment is needed, just call in. Whilst we cannot guarantee you will see a legal advisor on the day, you will be able to speak with a member of the team who will record some key information so that a lawyer can discuss your matter further with you. Most of our offices have disabled access and convenient parking. We can also arrange a home or hospital visit where clients have sustained serious injuries or where they affect your mobility, even if only temporarily.
Our team of dedicated No Win No Fee lawyers will expertly navigate you through the entire claims process on a “no win, no fee” basis (or Conditional Fee Agreement) and support your recovery from all injuries sustained in a road accident.
Please contact a member of the team or complete our online enquiry form.
Lanyon Bowdler has offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, Telford, and Conwy in North Wales. Our solicitors in Wales regularly act for clients over Personal Injury Claims across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales, Birmingham and the Midlands. We can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.
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