Road Traffic Accident Claims Guide: Compensation Process and Claim Types

This road traffic accident claims guide brings together all of our articles explaining how compensation claims are made following an injury on the road, whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or other road user. It covers a wide range of accident types, from multi‑vehicle collisions to individual claims involving vulnerable road users.

The sections below allow you to explore each stage of the claims process, including what to do after an accident, the evidence needed to support a claim, how legal liability is established, funding your claim using a no win no fee agreement, and how compensation is calculated in practice.

You can use this page to move directly to the areas most relevant to your situation, with links to detailed guides covering specific accident scenarios, claim types, and compensation issues.

How To Use Our Road Traffic Accident Compensation Guide

We use headings to describe the stages of the road traffic collision claims process and group related articles together. Each article ends with a link to the next article we recommend – allowing you to follow the RTA claims procedure in sequence.

At anytime – if you find you wish to ask an online question or speak to one of our solicitors in person for some free help – simply click specialist road injury solicitor free help.

We start by explaining what you must do immediately following your road accident and end with setting out how to fund your solicitor using a no win no fee or motor insurance legal protection.

If you are already involved in claiming compensation – we suggest you use our headings to select the article that might best assist.

What You Should Do Following A Road Traffic Accident

Immediate Steps Following a Road Accident

Find out the practical steps you should take immediately following a RTA to ensure you receive the correct medical treatment for your injuries, your motor insurer has been informed of your accident and you have as much evidence as possible to support your compensation claim.

Evidence to Prove How Your Road Accident Occurred

The information you can rely on to prove how your road traffic accident happened, so you can win your RTA compensation claim. We use the example of a motorcycle accident to illustrate evidence that can be used to help support your claim for personal injury compensation.

Details That Should Be Exchanged at a Motor Accident Scene

A legal obligation exists to provide certain details at the scene of a road accident where injury occurs or there is vehicle / property damage. Discover what details must be exchanged, who is entitled to receive those details and the criminal offences that can occur when information is not properly provided.

Report The Accident to Your Motor Insurer

Find out why it is essential to report your road accident as quickly as possible to your motor insurer. This includes whether you wish to settle your vehicle damage and personal injury claim direct with the driver at fault or his/her motor insurers.

Showing Driver Fault In The Eyes Of The Law

Car Accident Claims

Discover the step by step process to show a driver is legally responsible to meet your car accident claim for compensation

Cyclist Accidents

See the relevant sections of the Highway Code for bicycle accidents and the laws used to establish who is at fault for your cyclist accident.

Motorcycle Accident Compensation Claims

How to decide who is responsible for a motorcycle accident claim, includes contributory negligence and 50:50 claims. Examples of common motorbike accidents with an explanation of who is legally at fault for each.

Common motorbike accidents – with a description of who is at fault for each. Includes how your compensation can be reduced.

Common Types Of Road Accident Claim

Bicycle Injury Claims

Find out the different types of accidents involving bicycles – how you can claim and when your compensation can be reduced.

Car Driver Injury Claim

Find out when a car driver can make a claim for personal injury in a road accident. We include both your own liability as a car driver and 50/50 claims. In addition, we consider the role of motor insurance and the Motor Insurers Bureau/

Coach Accident Claims

You may be inured as a passenger whilst travelling on a coach in the UK or overseas, Find out when you can claim, when teh coach driver can make a claim and when to claim against another motorist.

Hit And Run Accident

Find out what a hit and run is and how to claim compensation despite a driving fleeing an accident scene – without leaving any details.

Hit By A Drunk Driver / Alcohol, Drugs, Medication Intoxication

How to claim when you are hit by a driver over the limit on alcohol or high on drugs. Claim compensation when no motor insurance is available, the car is stolen or you are subject to a hit and run.

Passenger Injury Claims

When passengers can claim compensation in many different situations and how compensation can be reduced for contributory negligence.

Pedestrian Crossing Claim

Find out when a pedestrian can clam for compensation when injured by a motor vehicle on a pedestrian crossing. Includes zebra crossings, pelican crossings and toucan crossings. Accidents involving children, cyclists and passengers claims.

Rear End Shunt Claim

Discover who is liable in various different types of rear end shunt accident. We consider multiple collisions in stationary and moving traffic. In addition, who is liable if a driver slams on the brakes and the requirement to keep a safe driving distance in accordance with teh Highways Code.

Seat Belt Injury Claim

Seatbelts help protect drivers and passengers alike. However, high speed motor vehicle collisions can often lead to injury from the seat belt itself even when it is doing what it is supposed to. On other occasions – the seatbelt might have a defect, which can lead to injury. In this article – we discuss not only when you can claim, but also who you can claim against when suffer seat belt injuries.

School Crossing Accident Claims

Certain crossings near schools are deemed patrol areas and as such are assigned crossing patrol persons to ensure the safety of children. Should an accident occur whilst your child is crossing the road at one of these points – either the motorist or the local authority will likely be at fault.

Taxi Accident Claim

If you are a passenger in a taxi when an accident occurs you will invariable have a claim. Alternatively – you may be a taxi driver hit by another vehicle or a pedestrian injured by a taxi. Find out when you can claim from a taxi driver or another motorist. Plus how motor insurance and the MIB can make payment for your injury compensation.

Making Your UK Road Traffic Accident Claim

Starting a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim

Find out how to claim compensation for a UK road accident and how long you have to start your claim before it is too late in the eyes of the law.

Motor Vehicle Insurance and The Motor Insurers Bureau

Discover all about UK motor vehicle insurance. We use the example of car accident insurance to show why motor vehicle insurance pays your compensation claim following a road traffic accident and how you can claim even when the driver at fault has no motor insurance in place.

Finding Driver Details from a Vehicle Registration Number

How to establish who the driver of a vehicle was that caused you injury and the motor insurer of the vehicle from the registration number alone.

Accelerated Road Accident Compensation Procedure

The faster procedure introduced in 2010 in England and Wales to claim compensation for injury and financial loss in a road traffic accident. Watch out – liability must be conceded by the driver’s insurance company in writing.

Small Value Road Accident Claims

Discover how the law changed on 31 May 2021 to increase the small claims limit for personal injury in a road accident from £1,000 to £5,000 restricting your ability to claim legal costs in making a claim. Find the important exceptions to this rule for vulnerable road users and children.

The Types and Amounts of Road Traffic Accident Compensation

Types of Traffic Accident Compensation

The different types of road traffic accident compensation you can claim with tips on how lawyers calculate the amount of compensation your personal injury claim is worth. Includes compensation for: pain and suffering, financial loss, legal costs, interest.

Car Accident Financial Loss and Expense Claims

What are the most common expenses you can claim in a road traffic accident, with an explanation of how the amount of compensation for whiplash injuries significantly changed in 2021.

Motorbike Injury Claim Payouts (Common Motorcyclist Injuries)

Discover the most common types of injury you can suffer in a motorcycle accident – with examples of the amounts of compensation you can expect to receive for each.

Whiplash Compensation Claim Payouts

Since 31 May 2021 – the amount of compensation you can claim for whiplash in a road accident was changed to become a tariff scheme. Exact amounts were set out by government, which this article discusses in detail.

Choosing and Funding a Road Traffic Accident Solicitor to Make Your Claim

Selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer

Discover how to choose a personal injury solicitor to make your claim, how to check your lawyer’s level of expertise and the things you should be careful of before signing an agreement.

No Win No Fee

Learn how a no win no fee agreement allows your solicitor to run the risk of making your claim. Should your solicitor win your claim then the other party will have to meet the bulk of your legal costs in addition to paying your compensation.

Motor Legal Protection Cover

Find out about motor vehicle insurance legal protection cover. When and how to make use of it to fund a solicitor to make your claim. How it can fund an insurance panel solicitor to make a small claim.

Road Traffic Accident Questions And Answers

See our detailed road accident questions and answers guide where you will find our Q&As, FAQs and practical guidance. Real life questions answered and general FAQs explored.

RTA Claims Process In A Nutshell

Road Traffic Collisions In A Nutshell

You will find a nutshell summary of the road traffic accidents claim process.

SUMMARY & Next Steps

In summary – you have learnt all the steps of the road traffic accident claims process. Starting with the accident event and ending with winning your claim and calculating your compensation payout.

See our road accident claim article to discover what you should do immediately following a RTA that will help support your claim.

Free Legal Help

We offer a number of specialist solicitor free telephone / online help options. You can not only ask your own question, but also have your claim assessed or call to speak direct to a specialist solicitor..