We are personal injury solicitors specialising in claiming compensation for clients injured in road traffic accidents. Catherine Smith has experience with all types of claims, and introduces our services in this short video.

Read more about road traffic accidents below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question or to get started making a claim.

Road Traffic Accident Compensation

Road Traffic Accident Compensation Awards

The most common injury sustained in road traffic accidents is whiplash affecting the neck. Where movement is limited and pain is permanent or recurring, compensation awards will be between £8,750 and £16,000. A minor whiplash injury where a full recovery is made within year will results in awards of between £850 and £2,750. Any neck injury leading to permanent disability will lead to markedly higher awards. Road traffic accidents can also cause damage to the back and/or spinal cord. Minor back injuries from which a full recovery is made by the injured person will result in compensation awards between £5,000 and £8,000. Damage to ligaments, muscles and soft tissues in the back which may lead to future problems will result in awards between £8,000 and £17,750. At the other end of the scale, a back injury resulting in severe, ongoing consequences, but short of paralysis will lead to awards between £64,250 and £108,000. This range is also appropriate for similar spinal injuries. Where paralysis occurs, along with significant brain damage, awards may rise to £257,750. A minor head injury, where a full recovery is made within a few weeks will result in awards between £1,400 and £8,100, depending on the length of recovery time and presence of other symptoms such as headaches.

Find Out More About: Claiming Compensation For An Accident On A Bus

Road Traffic Accident Compensation Case Study 1

SITUATION: Mr Greig worked as a motorcycle courier spending most of his day on the roads. While stationary at some traffic lights he was struck by a van from behind, shunting him over his handlebars and on to the road. The van's driver had been talking on his mobile phone to his headquarters at the time, and it later transpired that he was late for a pick up from a commercial address. Mr Greig was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital, where he was found to also have sustained a broken wrist.

RESULT: Mr Greig instructed Bartletts Solicitors to pursue a claim. The employers of the van driver accepted liability for the accident, after Bartletts pointed out that the driver admitted a loss of concentration due to the time pressure he was under, and the fact that he was talking on his phone at the time. The case was settled out of court, and Mr Greig received £8,225 in compensation, of which he kept 100% under our No Win No Fee arrangement.

Road Traffic Accident Compensation Case Study 2

SITUATION: Mr Singh was an elderly passenger on a bus who fell to the floor when the driver of the bus braked sharply to avoid a collision with another motor vehicle. Mr Singh sustained a broken hip as well as shock and was immediately transferred to hospital. Mr Singh required hip replacement surgery and remained in hospital for a couple of weeks. He subsequently required physiotherapy treatment to regain full mobility.

RESULT: Mr Singh contacted Bartletts and we began a claim for compensation on his behalf. The bus company initially denied liability, alleging that the other vehicle had pulled out from a side road into the path of the correctly proceeding bus. Bartletts took statements from several of Mr Singh's fellow passengers however to the effect that the other motor vehicle pulled out with plenty of room and the bus driver failed to slow down. The bus driver's insurers eventually admitted liability and Mr Singh was awarded £10,000 in compensation.

Related Work Injury Blog Posts

Placing a Value on Work Related Injury Compensation (by Sian Taylor)

Injuries from Work Motor Vehicles (by Lee Rossiter)

Ask A Road Traffic Accident Compensation Question

Feel free to ask a question below on any aspect of road traffic accident law and road traffic accident compensation claims. We will be publishing the best and most relevant questions and answers over the coming months.