Personal Injury Guides

Clear, plain-English guides for anyone thinking about a personal injury claim: what your claim could be worth, how the process works and what to expect along the way.

Guides
Your rights
FAQs

Personal injury guides

Answers to the questions we're asked most often about personal injury claims. You can also read our case studies to see how real claims were handled.

CompensationAverage compensation payoutsWhy there's no single average, typical ranges by injury, real results and what can reduce your compensation.Read guide Your solicitorCan I change my solicitor?How switching works, what happens to your No Win No Fee agreement and when it might not be right for you.Read guide Shared blameCan I claim if it was partly my fault?How contributory negligence works, common examples and how much your compensation might be reduced.Read guide CompensationGeneral vs special damagesThe 2 parts of your compensation, what each covers, why records matter and a worked example.Read guide TimescalesHow long does a claim take?Rough timescales by type of claim, the stages of a claim, what causes delays and how to help it move faster.Read guide Interim paymentsInterim paymentsGetting part of your compensation early: when you can get one, how much and how it works.Read guide Time limitsTime limits: every exceptionChildren, mental capacity, fatal accidents, travel claims, hit-and-run drivers and what happens if you miss the deadline.Read guide ChildrenClaims for childrenA guide for parents: litigation friends, court approval, how compensation is protected and the time limit.Read guide Getting startedDo I need a solicitor?What a personal injury solicitor does, what it costs, the risks of an early offer and how to choose one.Read guide CourtWill my claim go to court?How most claims settle, when court proceedings are started and what happens if your claim goes to trial.Read guide

Your rights after an injury

The key things anyone injured in England and Wales should know.

Someone else must be at fault

You can usually claim if someone else was at least partly to blame. You may still be able to claim if you were partly at fault too.

You usually have 3 years

Most claims must be started within 3 years of the accident. There are exceptions for children and people who lack mental capacity.

No upfront costs

Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis, so there's nothing to pay upfront. If your claim succeeds, a success fee is taken from your compensation.

Compensation covers your losses

As well as your injury, compensation can cover lost earnings, treatment, care, travel and other costs, now and in the future.

Personal injury claims: FAQs

Can I make a personal injury claim?

You may be able to claim if you were injured in the last 3 years and someone else was at least partly to blame, for example another driver, your employer or the person in control of the place where you were hurt. You may still be able to claim if you were partly to blame yourself.

How much compensation could I get?

It depends on your injury, how it affects your life and what it has cost you. Minor injuries may be worth a few thousand pounds, while the most serious can be worth hundreds of thousands or more. See our guide to average compensation payouts.

How long do I have to make a claim?

You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. There are exceptions, for example for children and people who lack mental capacity, so get in touch even if your accident was some time ago.

How much does it cost to make a claim?

Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis, so there's nothing to pay upfront. If your claim succeeds, a success fee is taken from your compensation. We explain exactly what you could pay before you sign anything.

How long does a claim take?

Straightforward claims can settle within months, while serious injury claims often take several years, because compensation has to cover your future needs. It also depends on whether the other side accepts fault.

Injured through no fault of your own?

Talk to our personal injury team for free, with no obligation to claim. We'll explain whether you can claim and what it could be worth. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.

Check if you can claim Ask about your claim Call 0330 818 1202

Injuries Direct is part of NJS Law

Our guides give general information about the law in England and Wales and aren't legal advice about your situation. Injuries Direct is a trading name of NJS Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 8006550). About us