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Road Traffic Accident Guides

Plain-English guides for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists hurt on the road or on public transport: who is responsible, how claims work and what your claim could be worth.

Road traffic accident guides

Answers to common questions about road and transport accidents. You can also read our road traffic accident case studies to see how real claims were handled, or find out more about road traffic accident claims.

Public transport guides

Buses and trainsBus and train accident claimsWho is responsible on buses, coaches and trains, at stations and stops, and what evidence you need.Read guide

Cycling accidents

CyclistsWhat can I claim for after a cycling accident?Everything you can include in a claim, from your bike and kit to lost earnings and future care.Read guide CyclistsBrain injury claims after a cycling accidentSigns of a brain injury, who could be responsible, not wearing a helmet, and how a claim can help.Read guide

Pedestrian accidents

PedestriansPedestrian accident claimsWho is responsible, uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, being partly to blame and what you can claim.Read guide

If you tripped on a pavement rather than being hit by a vehicle, see pavement and pothole claims.

Passenger accidents

Car passengersCar accident as a passenger: can I claim?Who you claim against, claiming against a friend or relative, seatbelts and uninsured drivers.Read guide

If you were hurt as a bus, coach or train passenger, see bus and train accident claims.

Motorbike accidents

MotorcyclistsMotorbike accident claimsWho you can claim against, helmets and shared blame, what you can claim for and what to do after an accident.Read guide

Car accidents

CompensationHow much is a car accident claim worth?The whiplash tariff, other injuries, financial losses and what can increase or reduce your compensation.Read guide AnimalsHit an animal while driving?What you must do, which animals you must report, and who is responsible for animals on the road.Read guide EvidenceEvidence for a car accident claimWhat to gather at the scene, medical evidence, proof of your losses and police reports.Read guide CostsNo Win No Fee car accident claimsWhat you pay if you win or lose, the success fee cap, ATE insurance and what to ask before you sign.Read guide Who is at faultRear-end collision claimsWhen the driver behind is to blame, when the driver in front can share it, and how fault is proved.Read guide InjuriesSoft tissue injury claimsWhiplash and other soft tissue injuries, the tariff amounts, long-term injuries and the evidence that helps.Read guide WhiplashWhiplash claims: how much can I claim?The 2025 tariff amounts, the 20% increase, what you can claim on top and when you can get more.Read guide

Your rights after a road traffic accident

The key things to know if you were hurt on the road or on public transport in England and Wales.

Someone else must be at fault

You can usually claim if another driver, an operator or 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.

Lower-value claims

Adult drivers and passengers whose injuries are worth £5,000 or less usually claim through the Official Injury Claim service, and whiplash is valued using fixed amounts.

Road traffic accident claims: FAQs

What is a road traffic accident claim?

It's a claim for an injury caused by someone else's carelessness on the road, for example another driver who crashed into you. Drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and public transport passengers can all claim.

Can I claim if I was a passenger?

Yes, usually. Passengers aren't in control of the vehicle, so they're rarely to blame. You can usually claim against the insurer of whichever driver caused the accident, even if that was the driver of the vehicle you were in.

What is the Official Injury Claim service?

It's the government's online service for lower-value road traffic claims. Since 31 May 2021, adult drivers and passengers whose injuries are worth £5,000 or less usually claim through it. See road traffic accident claims.

How long do I have to make a claim?

You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. For children, the 3 years doesn't start until they turn 18.

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.

Injured in a road traffic accident?

Talk to our team for free, with no obligation to claim. We'll work out who was responsible and 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 claimAsk about your claimCall 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