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Guide · Personal injury
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
Most personal injury claims settle within 9 to 24 months. Straightforward claims where fault is accepted can settle in around 6 months, while serious injury claims or claims where fault is disputed can take several years. It depends on your injuries, how long your recovery takes and whether the other side accepts responsibility.
"How long will it take?" is one of the first questions people ask. This guide gives rough timescales by type of claim, explains each stage, and sets out what can speed your claim up or slow it down.
- Straightforward claims
- Around 6 months, if fault is accepted early
- Serious injury claims
- Often several years
- Most claims
- Settle without a trial
- Time limit to start
- Usually 3 years from the accident
Rough timescales by type of claim
These are rough estimates based on our experience, not promises. Your own claim may be quicker or take longer depending on its facts.
| Type of claim | Rough timescale | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Road traffic accident, minor injury | 6 – 9 months | Fault accepted, and a soft tissue injury that heals well |
| Road traffic accident, moderate or serious injury | 12 – 24 months | Whether fault is disputed, and ongoing treatment |
| Slip, trip or fall | 9 – 18 months | CCTV and inspection records, and whether a council is involved |
| Accident at work | 12 – 24 months | Health and safety investigations and how serious the injury is |
| Industrial disease | 18 – 36 months | Proving the illness was caused by work, and historic exposure |
| Serious or catastrophic injury | 2 – 4+ years | Valuing lifelong needs, such as care |
For serious injuries, see how long serious injury claims take.
The stages of a personal injury claim
Knowing the stages helps you understand what's happening and why some parts take longer.
Your free assessment
You tell us what happened and we assess your claim for free. If you can claim, we take your details, start gathering evidence and set up your No Win No Fee agreement.
The letter of claim
We send a letter of claim to the other side or their insurer. They usually have 21 days to acknowledge it and then up to 3 months to investigate and say whether they accept fault. Some road traffic claims go through online portals with their own deadlines.
Medical evidence
You're examined by an independent medical expert, who reports on your injuries, your recovery and any treatment you need. This is often the longest stage, because we won't settle your claim until the full effect of your injuries is clear.
Valuing and negotiating
Once your medical evidence is in and your losses are added up, we send the other side a schedule of loss setting out what your claim is worth. Most claims settle at this stage.
Settlement, or court if needed
The large majority of claims settle without a court hearing. If the other side won't make a fair offer, we may start court proceedings, which often leads to further negotiation rather than a trial. If a claim does go to trial, it usually adds several months.
Find out more about the personal injury claims process.
What can delay a claim?
- Disputes about faultIf the other side denies responsibility, or argues you were partly to blame, it takes time to gather and present the evidence. See partly to blame.
- Serious injuriesIt takes time for the medical picture to become clear before a claim can be valued properly. Settling too early can mean your future losses aren't fully covered.
- More than one partyClaims involving several vehicles, employers or building owners can take longer while the parties argue about who's responsible.
- Waiting for medical reportsThere can be waiting lists for examinations and for reports to be finalised.
- Court timetablesIf proceedings are started, the court's timetable adds time.
- Slow responsesSome claims are slowed down by the other side. Court rules and deadlines can be used to move them on.
How you can help your claim move faster
Reply quickly
Send documents, signatures and answers to our questions as soon as you can.
Keep your appointments
Go to medical appointments and follow the treatment you're advised to have.
Keep records
Keep receipts and notes of your costs and losses as they happen.
Tell us about changes
Let us know straight away if your symptoms change or you get new medical advice.
Be careful on social media
Avoid posting about your accident or injuries. Insurers do look at public profiles.
Get advice early
The sooner you start, the easier it is to gather evidence while it's still available.
How long a claim takes vs the time limit
These are two different things. You usually have 3 years from the accident to settle your claim or start court proceedings. As long as you do one of those within the time limit, your claim can carry on after the 3 years are up. There are exceptions for children and people who lack mental capacity. See how long do I have to claim?
How long claims take: FAQs
How long does a personal injury claim take to settle?
Most personal injury claims settle within 9 to 24 months. Straightforward claims where fault is accepted can settle in around 6 months, while serious injury claims or claims where fault is disputed can take several years. We'll give you an estimate for your own claim.
Why is my personal injury claim taking so long?
The most common reasons are disputes about fault, waiting for your injuries to settle so they can be valued properly, delays in medical reports, and court timetables if proceedings have started. Your solicitor should explain what's holding your claim up and what's being done about it.
Can I get compensation before my claim settles?
Sometimes. If the other side accepts fault, interim payments can help with costs such as treatment, care and lost earnings while your claim continues. They're most common in serious injury claims.
Do I have to go to court?
Probably not. The large majority of personal injury claims settle without a court hearing. Even if court proceedings are started, most claims are still agreed before a trial.
Does my claim have to finish within 3 years?
No. The 3-year time limit is for settling your claim or starting court proceedings. As long as one of those happens in time, your claim can carry on afterwards. See how long do I have to claim?
Can I speed up my claim?
You can help by replying quickly to requests, going to medical appointments, keeping records of your costs and telling us about any changes to your symptoms. Settling before your injuries are fully understood isn't a good way to speed things up, because it can mean you receive less than you need.
Want to know what your claim could be worth?
Talk to our team for free, with no obligation. We'll explain whether you can claim and give you an idea of how long your claim is likely to take. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.