Specialist Road Traffic Accident Lawyers, No Win No Fee
A road traffic accident claim is a legal claim for compensation after suffering injury in a road traffic collision caused by another road user. If you were injured on the road and someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries and all associated financial losses.
At Hannah Gold Solicitors, we act exclusively for injured claimants, never insurers. Over 15 years, we have recovered over £21 million for clients across all types of road traffic accident claim, from minor whiplash to catastrophic spinal and brain injuries requiring Court of Protection proceedings and lifetime care planning. Your case is handled by a senior solicitor from first contact to settlement, not passed to junior staff or call centres.
We act for clients nationwide across England and Wales. Based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. No Win No Fee on all road traffic accident claims.
Who Can Make a Road Traffic Accident Claim?
You may be eligible to bring an RTA claim if you were:
- A driver injured in a collision
- A passenger in any vehicle
- A pedestrian struck by a vehicle
- A cyclist involved in a road traffic accident
- A motorcyclist injured by another road user
- Injured by an uninsured or untraced driver
Even if you were partly at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation under the legal principle of contributory negligence, your award is reduced proportionally, not eliminated. Insurers routinely overstate claimant fault to reduce payouts. We challenge these allegations as a matter of course.
Types of Road Traffic Accident Claim we handle
Driver and Passenger Claims
If you were injured while driving or travelling as a passenger, we can help you claim compensation for your injuries and financial losses. We regularly act in cases involving rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, sudden braking, and negligent or distracted drivers.
Motorbike Accident Claims
Motorcyclists often suffer serious and complex injuries. Our solicitors represent riders involved in collisions with other vehicles or injured due to dangerous road surfaces. We understand how to prove liability and recover both immediate and future losses associated with severe injuries.
Cycling Accident Claims
Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. We handle cycling accident claims involving careless driving, dooring incidents, potholes, and poor road maintenance. Our team works with local medical specialists to document injuries and rehabilitation requirements accurately.
Pedestrian Accident Claims
Pedestrians are at high risk of serious harm in collisions with vehicles. We act for those injured while crossing roads, walking near driveways, or struck by reckless drivers. Our solicitors secure compensation to cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care where needed.
Uninsured and Untraced Driver Claims
If the driver responsible for your accident was uninsured or fled the scene, you may still be entitled to compensation. We handle these cases through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and other available schemes, ensuring you are not left without financial recovery.
Serious or Life-Changing Injuries
Some road traffic accidents result in life-changing injuries requiring specialist legal handling. Brain injury, spinal cord damage, amputation, and complex orthopaedic trauma demand detailed medical evidence, long-term financial planning, and experienced representation. These claims often involve Court of Protection proceedings, interim payment applications, and expert care needs assessments.
How Much Compensation for a Road Traffic Accident?
Compensation depends on the type and severity of injury, recovery time, ongoing symptoms, and financial losses:
- Minor soft tissue injuries — typically £1,000–£10,000
- Moderate fractures — typically £10,000–£50,000
- Serious injuries with surgery or long-term impact — typically £50,000–£150,000
- Life-changing or catastrophic injuries — £150,000 to £1,000,000+
These figures cover general damages only. Financial losses — lost earnings, future income loss, care costs, rehabilitation, and medical treatment — are assessed separately and often significantly exceed the injury award in serious cases. For detailed injury-specific compensation guidance.
(Figures correct as of February 2026 and based on the Judicial College Guidelines.)
Whiplash Claims for Drivers and Passengers — The Fixed Tariff
If you are a car driver or passenger who sustained a whiplash injury in a road traffic accident, a fixed tariff introduced by the Civil Liability Act 2018 and the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 determines the amount of general damages payable for your soft tissue injury. The tariff amount depends on how long your whiplash symptoms last, as confirmed by an independent medical expert.
There are currently two tariff tables in operation depending on when your accident occurred.
Table 1 — Accidents between 31 May 2021 and 30 May 2025
(Fixed by the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021)
| Duration of Injury | Whiplash Only | Whiplash + Minor Psychological Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £240 | £260 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | £495 | £520 |
| More than 6 months, up to 9 months | £840 | £895 |
| More than 9 months, up to 12 months | £1,320 | £1,390 |
| More than 12 months, up to 15 months | £2,040 | £2,125 |
| More than 15 months, up to 18 months | £3,005 | £3,100 |
| More than 18 months, up to 24 months | £4,215 | £4,345 |
Table 2 — Accidents on or after 31 May 2025
(Fixed by the Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025 — approximately 15% uplift on Table 1)
| Duration of Injury | Whiplash Only | Whiplash + Minor Psychological Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £275 | £300 |
| More than 3 months, up to 6 months | £565 | £595 |
| More than 6 months, up to 9 months | £965 | £1,025 |
| More than 9 months, up to 12 months | £1,510 | £1,595 |
| More than 12 months, up to 15 months | £2,335 | £2,435 |
| More than 15 months, up to 18 months | £3,445 | £3,550 |
| More than 18 months, up to 24 months | £4,830 | £4,975 |
Four Important Points About the Whiplash Tariff
Injuries beyond 24 months fall outside the tariff. Whiplash injuries with a prognosis of more than 24 months are not subject to these fixed amounts and are valued under the Judicial College Guidelines in the usual way.
Non-whiplash injuries are not affected. Fractures, disc injuries, nerve damage and other non-soft tissue injuries are valued under the Judicial College Guidelines regardless of who the claimant is or when the accident occurred.
Financial losses are assessed separately. The tariff figures cover general damages only — compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Lost earnings, treatment costs, rehabilitation and travel expenses are assessed and claimed separately on top of the tariff figure.
The tariff applies to vehicle occupants only. It applies exclusively to car drivers and passengers. Motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians are not subject to the tariff — their soft tissue injuries are valued under the Judicial College Guidelines.
“Minor psychological injury” for tariff purposes means a psychological injury secondary to the physical whiplash — such as low-level travel anxiety or occasional loss of sleep — that falls short of a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. The tariff figure for whiplash with minor psychological injury is determined by the duration of the whiplash injury, regardless of how long the psychological symptoms last.
Mixed Injury Claims — Whiplash and Non-Whiplash Together
Where you suffer both a whiplash injury and a separate non-whiplash injury in the same accident — for example, a soft tissue neck injury alongside a fractured wrist — the claim is assessed as a mixed injury claim. The tariff applies only to the whiplash element. The non-whiplash injury is valued separately under the Judicial College Guidelines. The two awards are then added together. Insurers frequently misapply this valuation in mixed injury cases, either by applying the tariff to injuries it does not cover or by failing to fully value the non-whiplash element. We ensure both components are correctly identified and fully valued.
Why Insurers Undervalue Road Traffic Accident Claims
Insurers routinely make early low offers in road traffic accident claims, particularly in whiplash and moderate injury cases. These offers are frequently made before your medical recovery has stabilised and before the full extent of your financial losses — including future losses — has been calculated. Once a settlement is accepted, it cannot be reopened, regardless of how your condition develops. Early offers are a deliberate commercial tactic, not a fair assessment of your claim. Specialist representation from the outset ensures that no offer is considered until your injuries are properly evidenced and every financial loss is fully quantified.
Why Instruct Hannah Gold Solicitors for Your Road Traffic Accident Claim?
Road traffic accident claims can appear straightforward, but insurers regularly dispute liability, undervalue injuries, and make early low offers designed to limit their exposure. Having specialist representation from the outset protects your position and the full value of your claim.
- Over £21 million recovered for clients over 15 years
- Senior solicitor handling your case from first contact to settlement — no call centres, no case handlers
- We act exclusively for injured claimants — never insurers
- Specialist serious injury capability for high-value and complex cases, including Court of Protection matters
- Robust challenge of liability disputes and contributory negligence allegations across all road user types
- Early rehabilitation support and interim payment applications where appropriate
- No Win No Fee on all road traffic accident claims — no upfront costs, nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful
This content is reviewed by a senior solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 560755).
How Road Traffic Accident Claims Work
- Free case assessment — we review what happened, your injuries, and whether you have a valid claim. No obligation, no pressure.
- Evidence gathering — CCTV, police reports, witness statements, and medical records are secured immediately. CCTV is typically overwritten after 28 days — early action is critical.
- Medical assessment — independent expert evidence is obtained to document injuries, establish prognosis, and ensure the full extent of your injuries is on record.
- Full valuation — we calculate the complete value of your claim, including all financial losses and future needs, not just the injury itself.
- Negotiation — we present your claim to insurers and negotiate for maximum compensation. We do not accept the first offer.
- Settlement or court proceedings — most road traffic accident claims settle without going to court. If insurers refuse a fair offer, we are fully prepared to litigate.
Early legal advice ensures proper valuation and protects against insurer under-settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do road traffic accident claims take?
The time depends on injury severity and whether liability is admitted. Straightforward cases may resolve within several months. Cases involving serious injury, disputed liability, or complex medical evidence typically take one to three years. Accepting an early offer from insurers risks under-settlement — we advise on timing to ensure your claim reflects your full losses.
Can I claim if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Even where you were partly responsible, you may still recover compensation. The amount is reduced in proportion to your share of fault — a legal principle called contributory negligence. For example, if you were found 25% at fault, you would receive 75% of the total value. We regularly challenge unfair fault allegations made by insurers.
Is there a time limit to make a road traffic accident claim?
In most cases, you must start a road traffic accident claim within three years from the date of the accident. If the injured person was under 18, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. In cases involving lack of mental capacity, different rules apply. Early legal advice is strongly recommended.
Can I claim if the other driver was uninsured?
Yes. Claims against uninsured or untraced drivers are handled through the Motor Insurers Bureau. You do not lose your right to compensation because the other driver had no insurance or fled the scene. Strict procedural requirements apply, so early specialist advice is important.
Will I have to go to court?
Most road traffic accident claims settle through negotiation without a court hearing. Litigation becomes necessary where liability is firmly disputed or insurers refuse to make a reasonable offer. If your case proceeds to court, our solicitors will represent you fully alongside specialist barristers where required.
Contact Our Road Traffic Accident Solicitors
If you’ve been injured in a road traffic accident, you don’t need to face the process alone.
The experienced team at Hannah Gold Solicitors will guide you from start to finish, fighting for your right to fair compensation and helping you rebuild your life after an accident.
Speak to one of our road traffic accident solicitors today by calling 0300 373 5366 or completing our online contact form.
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