Injured in a Road Accident
That Wasn't Your Fault?
You Could Be Owed Compensation.
Thousands of people each year walk away from accidents they're entitled to claim for — simply because nobody told them their options. If it happened in the last 3 years, it takes under two minutes to find out where you stand.
Nothing to pay if you don't win. Success fee capped at 25% by law. No hidden charges.
Answer two quick questions to find out if you may have a claim.
What Type of Accident Were You Involved In?
Whether you were behind the wheel, walking, cycling or sitting in the back seat — if someone else was at fault, you may have a valid claim.
Car Collision
Rear-end shunts, junction accidents, roundabout and motorway crashes — the most common type of road accident claim in the UK.
Whiplash & Soft Tissue
Neck, back and shoulder injuries from sudden impact. Don't assume a minor collision means a minor claim — even 15 mph shunts cause lasting damage.
Passenger Injury
As a passenger you had no control — which is why you're almost always entitled to claim. Compensation is paid by the at-fault driver's insurer, not by them personally.
Pedestrian Accident
Hit at a crossing, junction, car park or pavement. Pedestrian claims frequently result in higher compensation due to the severity of injuries sustained.
Cyclist & Motorcyclist
Knocked off, doored, or cut up at a junction. Vulnerable road users are more exposed — and often entitled to substantial compensation.
Hit & Run / Uninsured Driver
The driver fled or had no insurance — but that doesn't end your right to compensation. The Motor Insurers' Bureau exists precisely for situations like yours.
How Much Could Your Claim Be Worth?
Road accident compensation is split into two elements. General damages cover your pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Special damages cover everything it cost you financially — lost wages, medical bills, travel to hospital, home adaptations, and care provided by family or friends.
The figures on the right are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (April 2026) — the standard reference used by courts and solicitors across England and Wales. They represent general damages only. Financial losses are calculated separately and added on top, often significantly increasing the final award.
Every claim is different. The figures shown are indicative ranges — actual compensation depends on the specific facts of your case, medical evidence, and financial losses incurred.
Find Out What Your Claim Is Worth →| Injury Type | Guideline Range |
|---|---|
| Whiplash (recovery within 1–2 years) | £240 – £4,345 |
| Minor back injury (full recovery) | £2,300 – £11,730 |
| Back injury with permanent symptoms | £11,730 – £26,050 |
| Serious shoulder injury | £11,980 – £18,020 |
| Minor brain or head injury | £2,070 – £11,980 |
| Ankle injury | £12,900 – £46,980 |
| Fractured forearm | £6,190 – £18,020 |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | £3,710 – £56,180 |
| Wrist injury | £3,310 – £44,690 |
| Hip or pelvis injury | £3,710 – £24,950 |
Source: Judicial College Guidelines, 18th Edition (April 2026). General damages only.
Do You Have a Valid Claim?
If someone else's careless driving left you hurt, you may have every right to claim — regardless of how minor the accident seemed at the time, or how quickly you tried to put it behind you. Road accident claims don't require a police report, an admission of fault at the scene, or a solicitor on standby.
For a claim to succeed, it needs to be established that another road user owed you a duty of care, that they failed in that duty through negligence, and that this caused your injury. Negligence covers a wide range of behaviours: speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel, running a red light, failure to give way, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes.
Act Within 3 Years — Here's Why It Matters
In most road accident claims, you have three years from the date of the accident to start legal proceedings. This sounds like plenty of time — but evidence fades, witnesses become harder to trace, and medical records are easier to obtain closer to the incident. Starting early means a stronger case. Exceptions to the three-year rule apply if you were under 18 at the time (the clock starts on your 18th birthday) or if the injured party lacks mental capacity.
No Win No Fee — What It Really Means
The phrase gets used a lot. Here's what it actually means for you:
- You pay nothing upfront, and nothing while the claim is being handled
- If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing at all
- If you win, your solicitor deducts a success fee from your compensation — capped by law at 25% of general damages and past losses
- Any compensation for future financial losses is fully protected — the success fee cannot touch it
This cap is a legal requirement under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). It means you will always keep at least 75% of your general damages — and 100% of future loss awards.
The Whiplash Reforms — Does This Affect You?
Since May 2021, the government's Whiplash Reform Programme changed the rules for lower-value road traffic accident claims in England and Wales. Straightforward whiplash injuries are now valued using a fixed tariff under the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021, and some claims are handled through the Official Injury Claim portal rather than the courts.
However, if you suffered injuries beyond soft tissue — a broken bone, head injury, PTSD, or significant long-term effects — the reforms are unlikely to cap your claim value. Our partner specialists will tell you exactly which process applies to your situation.
Hit and Run or Uninsured Driver? You Still Have Options.
One of the most common misconceptions is that a hit-and-run or uninsured driver means no payout. That is not the case. The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) was set up precisely to ensure victims aren't left without recourse. If the driver couldn't be traced or was driving without insurance, a claim through the MIB may be possible — provided the accident was reported to police promptly and reasonable steps were taken to preserve evidence.
What Evidence Will Strengthen Your Claim?
- Dashcam footage (from your vehicle or others)
- CCTV or traffic camera recordings
- Police incident report or reference number
- Photos of the scene, vehicles and injuries
- Witness contact details
- Medical records and GP notes
- Insurance details and vehicle registration of the other party
- Receipts for expenses (travel, prescriptions, lost earnings)
Don't worry if you don't have everything on this list — claims are regularly won with partial evidence. A specialist will advise you on what can still be obtained and what weight each piece carries.
Getting Started Takes Two Minutes
No paperwork, no commitment. Just a quick form and an honest answer about your situation.
Tell Us What Happened
Fill in the short form below — your name, contact details, accident type and approximate date. Under two minutes, no documents needed.
Speak to a Specialist
An FCA-authorised claims specialist will call you at a time that suits you, ask a few straightforward questions, and assess your situation honestly.
Know Exactly Where You Stand
You'll get a clear, no-jargon answer: whether you have a claim, what it could be worth, and how a No Win No Fee arrangement would work. No pressure to proceed.
Common Questions About Road Accident Claims
Who can make a road accident compensation claim?
Anyone injured in a UK road accident within the last 3 years that was not — or not entirely — their fault may have a valid claim. This includes car and van drivers, passengers (even if you were in a vehicle driven by a friend or family member), pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and people travelling in buses, taxis, or rideshare vehicles. The key requirement is that another road user's negligence caused or contributed to your injury.
How much compensation could I receive?
Every claim is different, and compensation reflects your specific injuries, recovery time, psychological impact, and out-of-pocket financial losses. To give you a sense of scale: the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026) indicate whiplash injuries recovering within 1–2 years attract £240–£4,345 in general damages; PTSD ranges from £3,710 to £56,180; and hip or pelvis injuries from £3,710 to £24,950. On top of these figures, you can recover lost wages, private medical treatment, travel costs, care from family, and future expenses. A specialist assessment will give you a realistic estimate for your individual case.
What does No Win No Fee mean exactly?
A No Win No Fee agreement (Conditional Fee Agreement) means you pay no upfront legal fees and nothing at all if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, your solicitor deducts a success fee from your compensation. By law (LASPO 2012), this fee is capped at 25% of your general damages and past financial losses. Future losses are protected and cannot be used to pay the success fee.
How long do I have to make a claim?
In most road accident personal injury claims, you have three years from the date of the accident to start legal proceedings. Exceptions apply: if you were under 18 at the time, the clock starts on your 18th birthday. If the injured person lacked mental capacity, the limit may be suspended. Certain MIB claims involving uninsured or untraced drivers have different deadlines. Seek guidance early — evidence is easier to gather closer to the accident.
What if I was partly at fault?
You may still be entitled to claim even if you were partly responsible for the accident. UK courts apply the principle of contributory negligence — your compensation is reduced proportionally to reflect your share of responsibility, but a valid claim can still exist. For example, if you were not wearing a seatbelt, your compensation may be reduced even if the other driver was primarily at fault.
Can I claim if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
Yes, in most cases. If the driver was uninsured or could not be traced after a hit-and-run incident, you may be able to claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). The MIB exists specifically to compensate victims in these situations. It is important to report the accident to the police and preserve all available evidence. Different procedures and deadlines apply, so early advice is recommended.
Do the whiplash reforms affect my claim?
The Whiplash Reform Programme, introduced in May 2021, changed how certain low-value road traffic accident claims are handled in England and Wales. If your accident happened on or after 31 May 2021, whiplash injuries are valued using fixed tariffs under the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. Some claims may go through the Official Injury Claim portal. However, if you suffered additional injuries beyond whiplash, the reforms may not affect the full value of your claim. Our partners can advise based on your specific situation.
Can I claim if the driver who caused my accident was a friend or family member?
Yes, and many people worry unnecessarily about this. As a passenger, your claim is made against the driver's motor insurance policy — not against the driver personally. Your friend or family member will not be out of pocket. In fact, this is one of the most important reasons motor insurance exists. You should not feel guilty about exercising a right that insurance is designed to protect.
What happens to my personal information?
Your information is used solely for the purpose of the free assessment you have requested. We handle all data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. We do not share your information with unauthorised third parties. You may request access, correction or deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at info@pearlblogger.com.
Is PearlBlog a law firm?
No. PearlBlog is an information and claims guidance service. We connect individuals with FCA-authorised claims management companies and regulated solicitors who can handle claims on a No Win No Fee basis. We do not provide legal advice and we do not act as your solicitor. Submitting the form does not create a solicitor-client relationship.
Is the assessment really free with no obligation?
Yes, completely. Completing the form costs nothing, and the subsequent call with a specialist carries no obligation whatsoever. You will not be signed up to anything, asked for a credit card, or pressured. If after speaking to a specialist you decide not to proceed, that is entirely your choice — and there is nothing to pay. The purpose of the assessment is simply to give you an honest picture of your options.
Find Out If You Have a Claim — It's Free
Fill in the form below and a specialist will be in touch to give you an honest, no-pressure assessment. Takes under two minutes.