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Car Accident Injury FAQs

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Even relatively minor car accident injuries, such as whiplash can prove traumatic. Aside from the shock and injury of an accident itself, you may suffer days or weeks of symptoms and might also experience disruption to your social, family and working life. Additionally, you may be left out of pocket because of lost earnings and medical expenses.

Fortunately, a car accident claim, including whiplash compensation, can at least provide financial compensation for these facts. Unless you have already experienced the process before, it is likely that you will have lots of questions. We answer many of these below. If your questions relate to a more general road accident claim involving a bus, bicycle, lorry or other vehicle, you may be able to find the answer here.

You can make a car accident compensation claim however you are provided you meet the following criteria:

  • You have received an accident injury diagnosis and it details in some way the suffering you have experienced
  •  Some other party was at least partially responsible for the incident in which you sustained the injury i.e the driver of another vehicle or the driver of a vehicle you were the passenger in.
  • The accident occurred less than three years ago – if you were under 16 at the time of the incident you can make a claim for the injury at any time within three years of the date on which you turned 16

Making a claim for car accident compensation is relatively straightforward. All you need do is contact a personal injury lawyer with details and evidence of the accident and details of your injury diagnosis.

In the vast majority of cases it will be the insurance company of the responsible party who will shoulder the financial burden of paying compensation. The exception is in the case of uninsured or untraced drivers – in these cases it is the Motor Insurers’ Bureau that pays the cost of compensation. However, in some cases the responsible party may be someone you know – for example, you were passenger in the vehicle of a friend or family member at the time of an accident for which they were at fault, but, if they were fully insured it will be the insurer who defends the claim.

Yes, if you are looking to claim on behalf of someone who is below the age of 16 or who lacks mental capacity in some way, you can act as their legal guardian. You cannot, however, act as their legal guardian if you are the party responsible for causing the accident; in this case you must find another person who is able to act on the injured family member’s behalf.

You can make a car accident claim even if the driver is uninsured or is untraceable after fleeing the scene of the accident. The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) is an organisation that exists to ensure recourse to compensation for people who suffer injuries in these circumstances. At Thompsons we can help you lodge a claim with the MIB.

“If the driver is uninsured, there is a non-governmental body called the Motor Insurers Bureau that basically is the port of last resort.” – David Adams

You do, albeit indirectly through your insurer. The Motor Insurers Bureau is funded by an estimated £30 a year from every insured driver’s premiums. According to the MIB’s website, the MIB is paid for “by law-abiding motorists who pay their insurance premiums”. It has been fulfilling this role since 1946.

In Scotland, there is a limit of three years in which a personal injury claim for compensation must be made. If legal proceedings are not started in court within three years, the case is then time-barred. However, if you suffered your injury when you were under 16 and a claim has not been made on your behalf, you have three years to claim from the date on which you turn 16. Talk to a car accident solicitor today if you are unsure about making a claim.

  • Your solicitor will need the details of any relevant police report, medical diagnoses and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.
  • More evidence is always better: so if you have witness statements and/or photographs taken around the time of the accident, you should provide these.
  • Furthermore, provide your solicitor with any relevant costs caused by your accident. For example, receipts for prescriptions, medical equipment and traveling expenses.

Car accident injury settlements vary from less than £3,000 for milder soft tissue injuries to upwards of £200,000 for the most serious head or spinal injuries. Your settlement will depend on your injuries, your recovery time and the circumstances of your accident.

Whiplash is the most common of all car accident injuries. According to the Judicial Board Guidelines the amount of whiplash compensation received will depend on the severity of the injury – however, it is worth remembering that these figures are only guidelines:

  • Minor whiplash injuries – up to £2,750
  • Whiplash injury with soft tissue injury – between £2,750 and £5,000
  • Persistent whiplash injury with possible complications – between £5,000 and £8,750
  • Whiplash injury with chronic pain and additional complications – between £8,750 and £16,000

For more severe car accident injuries – for example brain or spinal cord injuries – the amount of compensation awarded will be much higher, ranging from five to six or even seven-figure sums.

If your child has sustained injury in a car accident that was caused by you, you will not be able to claim on his or her behalf – i.e. act as their legal guardian. However, in such a situation the child’s other parent, can claim on the child’s behalf, ensuring that there is no conflict of interest.

Yes, all road users – regardless of whether they were on the pavement, on a motorcycle or on public transport – have the same entitlement to claim compensation for injuries as those traveling in private vehicles at the time of an accident. Public transport and all passenger carriers have a duty of care to their users and it is your legal right to make a claim if the accident was not your fault. Our Car accident claims FAQs page has more information.

There are three different legal jurisdictions in the UK: Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. Regardless of where you live, if you suffered your whiplash injury in an accident in Scotland, you should use a Scottish personal injury lawyer to claim in Scottish law.

Claiming compensation following a car accident can seem daunting at first, especially if you do not understand the process or fear that it might leave you further out-of-pocket. However, the car accident claims team at Thompsons can guide you through the procedure, answering any questions you might have as they arise so that we can give you confidence as we advise you on the best way to move forward. We can provide car accident compensation examples to help you understand what you might expect to receive.

We offer a No Win, No Fee funding model to protect you from all possible costs and fees in the event your claim does not succeed. Furthermore, as car accident lawyers with a success rate of around 90%, you can rest assured that your claim is in safe and experienced hands.

Talk to Thompsons today.

Contact Thompsons for advice today

Claiming compensation following a car accident can seem daunting at first, especially if you do not understand the process or fear that it might leave you further out-of-pocket. However, the car accident claims team at Thompsons can guide you through the procedure, answering any questions you might have as they arise so that we can give you confidence as we advise you on the best way to move forward. We can provide car accident compensation examples to help you understand what you might expect to receive.

We offer a No Win, No Fee funding model to protect you from all possible costs and fees in the event your claim does not succeed. Furthermore, as car accident lawyers with a success rate of around 90%, you can rest assured that your claim is in safe and experienced hands.

Talk to Thompsons today.

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Jordan and others kept me up to date with every update on my claim progressing and were clear when explaining the process. I was never in the dark with how far along things were. Great communication both through phone calls and email.

Michael G
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Knowledgeable, Clear, Proactive and understanding approach from Thompsons initially, was only made better by great service, communication and attentiveness throughout the case. I received what I was promised they were going to pursue as a minimum, in just 8 months.

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Car crash

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22 September 2025
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Car crash compensation

Very easy to deal with. I had no idea what to do but they kept me right all the way. Thank you.

Anonymous
25 August 2025
5 / 5

Traffic accident claim

I had an accident and had Thompson solicitors represent me on my claim. They were professional through out keeping me updated on everything. Would recommend them to anyone who has the misfortune to have an accident claim. Thank you.

Paul Williams
12 August 2025
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Car accident claim

Had a nice experience with this company took a while but was sorted 👌 the people who delt with me had a lot of patience as I am not very good with emails was looked after very well thank you x

Elizabeth
28 July 2025
5 / 5

Excellent service, above and beyond

It all began with a freak cycling accident on my way to work one oct morning in 2023, unbeknown to me was the cause of the accident was a pothole in the road , I have been cycling for 20years plus and had never experienced an incident like this, but needless to say that when I contacted Nicola at Thompsons she was willing to listen and filled me with confidence, subsequently the defendant settled today with what I can only describe as a generous offer , thank you Nicola

James Mcmurray
11 July 2025
5 / 5

Excellent Professional Service

I have been dealing with Scarlett Small who has been excellent throughout the whole process. SHe has answered all questions promptly, given advice where required and guided me through the whole process. She has been thoroughly professional, explaining any jargon etc and fully explaining the process at each stage. I would highly recommend her and Thompsons Solicitors.

Tom
19 June 2025
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