Car Accident Claims Process: How Does it Work?

Have you been involved in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault? You may be able to seek legal support and receive compensation.

Whether you were a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in an accident, a cyclist who has been knocked off their bike or a driver who’s been crashed into, having a solicitor on your side who specialises in road traffic accident claims can help you seek the justice you deserve.

But how do car accident claims work, and what’s the process?

Our dedicated guide breaks down what you need to do if you’re filing a car accident claim – from the instant the accident has happened to later down the line during legal proceedings – and how it all works.

I’ve Been in a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault – What Do I Do?

Seeking legal help is the best place to start – putting your trust in road traffic accident claims specialists, like CEL Solicitors.

The accident could have caused injuries, both physical and emotional, and had a knock-on effect on many other factors, such as work, long-term medical care and any expenses as a result of the incident.

That’s why ensuring you claim to receive compensation for your losses is crucial to getting the justice you deserve.

Car Accident Claims: The Process

Here we’ve highlighted a step-by-step guide on how the car accident claims process works, including what you need to do and when:

1. Document the incident

At the scene of the accident, make sure to note down as much as possible, taking photographs and video footage if applicable.

The more evidence you collect, the stronger your case will be when it comes to pursuing legal action.

2. Contact a trusted solicitor

Putting your trust in a road and traffic accident solicitor – like CEL Solicitors – will help your claim move as quickly as possible, due to the extensive experience we have supporting people to achieve justice.

Fill out your details on our personal injury claim form – here, you can describe how you were injured (e.g. an injury involving a vehicle) and input your personal details.

3. Provide the details of the incident

Once you’ve made contact with our specialist team, they’ll then put you in touch with the most appropriate solicitor for your case.

Be sure to provide as much information as you can to your designated solicitor – the more detail provided, the more likely the case is to progress as quickly and successfully as possible.

At this stage, include any evidence you have (e.g. photos, videos, notes), and our specialist team can then assess whether or not your claim will be taken forward.

4. Wait for your claim to be assessed

Next, your designated personal injury solicitor will assess your claim, which will determine whether or not it will be taken forward.

You will be regularly updated on the progress of your claim assessment, so you know what to expect and when.

5. Receive your decision

After consideration of your case, you will then receive confirmation of whether or not your claim can be processed.

If you are not liable to seek legal support, your case will be dismissed along with advice on what, if anything, you can do next. If your claim is strong, it will be taken forward to hopefully achieve compensation.

6. The case

If it is believed you have a good claim, your solicitor will work on your case and communicate with the defendant and their solicitor.

This will include thorough investigations into the accident and potential negotiations with the other side. If a settlement can’t be reached through negotiations, the case may proceed to court (however, most claims are settled out of court).

7. Compensation

If the case finds that the claim is just, once the case has been completed and all avenues have been explored and investigated, compensation may then be awarded to you.

What Are The Different Types of Car Accident Claims?

No matter what type of car accident you’ve been in, the claims process generally remains the same.

These are the most common types of claims made for road traffic accidents:

If you’ve been involved in one of these types of accidents and it wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim compensation. This could be a settlement for any injuries or expenses lost as a result of someone else’s negligent driving.

What Compensation Can I Claim From a Car Accident?

While you’ll likely be claiming for any injuries you’ve received as a result of the accident, road traffic accidents can also leave more than just physical wounds.

Here’s a breakdown of the types of things you can claim compensation for after an accident:

Medical expenses: If you’ve had any private medical treatment or follow-up care that the NHS has not covered, you may be able to claim compensation for this.
Pain and suffering: While this refers to any pain and suffering you’ve received as a result of injury, this can also include emotional distress, such as PTSD, anxiety or depression.
Loss of earnings: If your injuries or emotional distress have meant you’ve had to miss work, even if this was temporary, you could claim for lost income. This also could include future losses if your ability to work has been impacted.
Rehabilitation and support: Whether you need physiotherapy for physical injuries or counselling for emotional scars, you can be compensated for rehabilitation and specialist care as part of your claim.
Long-term impact: In more complex cases, there may be an element of long-term care that will be calculated and accounted for as part of your claim, such as disability, ongoing trauma or changes to quality of life.

Car Accident Claims Process: FAQs:

How long will a car accident claim take to process?

On average, car accident claims will usually be resolved within 6 – 18 months. However, it could be longer or shorter – potentially taking between a couple of months and as long as several years.
This largely depends on the circumstances of the incident, including the severity of injuries, liability and complexity of the accident.

How long do I have to make a car accident claim?

You’ll be able to make a claim for a road traffic accident for up to three years from the date of the accident. If you’re under 18 years old, you will be able to claim until your 21st birthday – regardless of how many years have passed since the accident.
However, acting as quickly as possible provides the best chance for success in these types of claims.

How much does it cost to make a car accident claim?

When you work with trusted solicitors who operate on a “No-Win, No-Fee” basis – like CEL Solicitors – you won’t pay any legal costs unless your claim is successful.

How much compensation could I receive for a car accident claim?

This varies largely between individuals and their specific cases. It will depend on how serious your injury is, if it has had any long-term impacts on your life, if you can claim for lost earnings, medical expenses or rehabilitation, and many other factors.
The more complex and serious the case, the more likely you are to receive higher compensation, but this can also take longer to come to a settlement agreement. Your solicitor will discuss all of this with you during your claim.

Choosing CEL Solicitors for Car Accident Claims

Being involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault can be both emotionally and financially distressing – especially if you have been injured.

Here at CEL Solicitors, our team specialise in road traffic accident claims with a strong track record of recovering millions for clients.

We operate on a No-Win, No-Fee basis, meaning you won’t need to pay anything up front – giving you access to expert legal help you deserve without financial worry.

Not sure about the strength of your case? Our expert consultation is completely free – we’ll listen, review your situation carefully and provide clear advice on your next steps.

Ready to pursue your car accident claim? Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call 0333 305 4982 for the support you deserve.