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Case study · Road traffic accident
£50,000 Compensation After a Head-On Collision Caused by Reckless Driving
Another driver was speeding and veered onto the wrong side of the road, crashing head-on into our client's car. Our client suffered multiple fractures, soft tissue injuries and psychological trauma, including anxiety and PTSD, and lost earnings during a long recovery. NJS Law, the firm behind Injuries Direct, secured £50,000 in compensation for their injuries, emotional suffering and financial losses.
How a head-on crash led to a successful road traffic accident claim, and what it means if you've been injured by another driver.
- Claim type
- Road traffic accident
- Accident
- Head-on collision
- Cause
- The other driver was speeding and on the wrong side of the road
- Injuries
- Multiple fractures, soft tissue injuries, anxiety and PTSD
- Financial losses
- Lost earnings, treatment and travel costs
What happened
Our client was on what should have been a routine drive. The other driver was speeding and veered into the wrong lane, colliding head-on with our client's car.
A single reckless decision by another driver can change your life in a moment. Every road user owes a duty of care to everyone else on the road, and in this case that duty was clearly broken.
The injuries
The impact caused serious physical injuries and lasting psychological harm.
- Multiple fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety and PTSD
- A long recovery that meant time off work and lost earnings
Why the claim succeeded
To make a successful road traffic accident claim, you need to show that another road user was at fault and that the accident caused your injuries and losses. In this case, each part was clear.
- The other driver was at faultThey drove on the wrong side of the road, breaching the Highway Code and causing the head-on collision.
- Medical evidence confirmed the injuriesIt showed serious physical injuries needing ongoing treatment, as well as psychological trauma that affected our client's daily life, work and relationships.
- The financial losses were evidencedThe claim included our client's lost earnings during recovery, medical and rehabilitation costs, and travel to treatment.
- The claim was made in timeIt was brought within the three-year time limit for personal injury claims.
- The outcomeCompensation of £50,000, covering our client's injuries, emotional suffering and financial losses.
Every claim is different, and the outcome of a past case doesn't guarantee the outcome of yours.
What this case shows about road traffic accident claims
If you've been injured in a crash that wasn't your fault, these are the points that matter most.
Wrong-side crashes are usually clear-cut
A driver who crosses onto the wrong side of the road and causes a collision is usually found to be at fault, because they've broken the rules every driver must follow.
Psychological injuries count
Anxiety, PTSD and travel anxiety after a crash are real injuries. With medical evidence, they're included in your claim alongside your physical injuries.
Your financial losses are added on top
As well as compensation for your injuries, you can claim for lost earnings, treatment and rehabilitation, travel costs and damage to your vehicle.
The driver's insurer pays
Compensation is usually paid by the at-fault driver's insurer. If the driver was uninsured or can't be traced, you may still be able to claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
Injured in a road traffic accident? Find out if you can claim
Whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian, our team will talk it through with you for free and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.
- Free, no-obligation first conversation
- No win, no fee on eligible claims
- Specialist road traffic accident solicitors
- Clear, supportive guidance throughout your claim
Prefer to talk now? 0330 818 1202
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Head-on collision claims: FAQs
Can I claim if another driver hit me on the wrong side of the road?
Yes. If a driver caused a collision by crossing onto the wrong side of the road, they're usually found to be at fault, and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
How much compensation could I get after a head-on crash?
It depends on how serious your injuries are, how long they affect you and what they've cost you. In this case, our client received £50,000, and some serious road traffic accident claims are worth more. See how compensation is calculated for typical amounts.
Can I claim for anxiety or PTSD after a car crash?
Yes. Psychological injuries such as anxiety, PTSD and travel anxiety can be included in your claim when they're confirmed by medical evidence, alongside any physical injuries.
What if the other driver was uninsured or drove off?
You may still be able to claim. The Motor Insurers' Bureau compensates people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers. Talk to us and we'll explain how it works.
Can I claim if I was a passenger?
Yes. Passengers are almost never to blame for a crash, so you can usually claim against the insurer of whichever driver was at fault, even if that's the driver of the car you were in.
Is there a time limit for a road traffic accident claim?
You usually have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim. There are exceptions, for example for children, so get in touch even if your accident was some time ago. Read how long you have to make a claim.
Injured by another driver?
Talk to our road traffic accident team for free, with no obligation to claim. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.