Last Updated On 31st March 2026. If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be wondering whether you could be entitled to compensation. Fortunately, we’re here to help guide you through the personal injury claims process, encompassing accidents on roads, in public places and at work. Whether an accident was caused by a third party’s carelessness or improper training, pursuing a personal injury claim can help secure compensation for your pain, suffering and financial losses. Therefore, if you’re giving some thought to the personal injury claims process, our friendly team is here to help you achieve a sense of justice.
At No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct, we understand that the prospect of starting a claim can seem daunting. That being said, our team is here to provide a personalised service by answering questions, giving helpful advice and conducting free case checks to assess claims. Following this, you could be connected with one of the specialist No Win No Fee solicitors from our panel to start your claim. With decades of combined experience in personal injury, our panel of talented solicitors can help you from start to finish, assisting in evidence-gathering.
To start your personal injury claim today, please feel free to contact our friendly advisory team:
- Call us on 020 8050 4194
- Contact us by filling out our online form
Jump To A Section
- What Is A Personal Injury Claim?
- Who Can Make A Personal Injury Claim?
- What Types Of Accidents Can I Claim For?
- The Most Common Types Of Personal Injuries
- How Much Personal Injury Compensation Might Be Awarded?
- Is There A Time Limit When Claiming For An Injury?
- What Is The Process When Making A Claim?
- What Evidence Will I Need To Bring A Personal Injury Claim?
- Can I Make A Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- What Can No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct Help With?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
What Is A Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim relates to the legal process of seeking compensation after you’ve suffered an injury caused by a third party. The accident will typically be caused by a third party’s negligence, otherwise known as a breach in a duty of care. Legal action in personal injury ultimately involves proving that a third party was responsible for your injuries, gathering evidence and pursuing compensation for pain, suffering and financial losses.
Who Can Make A Personal Injury Claim?
You could make a personal injury claim if you can demonstrate that your injuries were directly caused by a third party’s negligence. As such, the requirements to prove negligence are as follows:
- A third party owed you a duty of care
- This duty of care was breached by a third party
- You suffered injuries as a result of the breach
A duty of care is owed in many different situations across daily life and professional contexts such as:
- On roads
- In workplaces
- In public places
Please keep reading our useful guide to learn how personal injury claims could arise in the above scenarios.
To learn more about your eligibility to claim, please don’t hesitate one of our friendly advisors.
What Types Of Accidents Can I Claim For?
You could claim for accidents caused by a third party’s negligence in workplaces, on roads and in public settings. As such, please see the below examples:
Road Traffic Accidents
Road users owe a duty of care to one another; they must also adhere to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. As part of their duty, road users must use the roads in a manner that avoids causing harm to themselves and others. Not only does this duty apply to drivers, but it also applies to motorcyclists, pedestrians, cyclists and passengers.
Therefore, if you’ve experienced injuries due to a third party’s failure to take care, you could make a road traffic accident claim. For instance:
- You could be involved in a rear-collision due to a third party’s failure to break in time. You could suffer with severe whiplash and psychological injuries as a result.
- A third party may have failed to stop at a zebra crossing whilst you were walking across, resulting in life-altering injuries.
Accidents At Work
As per the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), employers have a duty of care to all employees. As part of this legal obligation, employers should follow reasonable steps to secure the welfare and safety of their employees. For instance, employers should conduct training sessions and perform machinery checks under their duty of care.
Therefore, if you’ve suffered injuries due to your employer’s negligence, you could make an accident at work claim. For example:
- Your employer may have failed to secure safety railings at a construction site, causing you to fall from a height.
- Yourself and other employees may not have received any manual handling training sessions, despite being ordered to carry heavy boxes.
Public Liability Accidents
Those in control of public spaces such as an owner or an occupier, have a duty of care to any visitors to their premises. As per the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, occupiers should follow practical steps to make sure members of the public are safe.
Therefore, if you’ve suffered injuries due to an occupiers’ negligence, you could make a public liability claim. To illustrate:
- You may have suffered a slip and fall accident due to a spillage in a supermarket that wasn’t labelled with a wet floor sign.
- You may have tripped over uneven flooring at a fairground, leading to serious facial injuries and scarring.
To learn more about the different types of personal injury claims you could make, please get in touch today.
The Most Common Types Of Personal Injuries
The scope of personal injuries from accidents can be wide-ranging, spanning from minor to serious and life-altering injuries. As such, please see the following list of the most common personal injuries:
- Whiplash injuries – These injuries may encompass neck strains, headaches, shoulder injuries and stiffness.
- Head injuries – Such as mild scalp cuts, concussions, skull fractures and internal bleeding.
- Neck injuries – Encompassing muscle strains, herniated discs, pinched nerves, dislocations and fractures.
- Back injuries – Such as sprains and strains, ruptured discs, nerve damage, cauda equina syndrome and paralysis.
- Injuries to internal organs – This may include cuts and lacerations to your spleen, liver or intestines.
- Psychological injuries – Encompassing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.
- Leg injuries – Such as broken bones, dislocations, damage to the hamstring and ligaments and shin splints.
- Arm injuries – This may include fractures, rotator cuff tears, and lacerations.
How Much Personal Injury Compensation Might Be Awarded?
The amount of personal injury compensation that may be awarded will ultimately vary from case-to-case. Due to the unique nature of personal injury claims, a compensation pay-out will take into account the following factors:
- The severity of your injuries
- The length of your recovery period
- The impact on your daily activities
In successful personal injury claims, you will be awarded with general damages as part of your settlement. This award will ultimately compensate you for any physical and mental pain and suffering you may have endured.
Using a copy of the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), your general damages will be calculated by a solicitor. Commonly, the JCG publication is widely used by legal professionals as it contains a variety of compensation guidelines for personal injuries.
All entries in the table below, apart from the first figure, have been taken from the JCG. Please take note that they are merely guidelines and do not guarantee how much compensation you could receive.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation Pay-out |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries with financial losses | More than one serious injury with special damages such as medical expenses, lost earnings and home modification costs | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | The amount awarded will depend on the extent of any impairment of the senses and life expectancy. | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Moderately Severe Brain Damage | The level of award will depend on factors such as the ability to communicate and any risk of epilepsy | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Severe Back Injuries (i) | Involving damage to the spinal cord, nerve roots and incomplete paralysis. | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Severe Back Injuries (ii) | Involving a loss of sensation, impaired bladder and scarring of an unsightly nature. | £90,510 to £107,910 |
| Severe Pelvis And Hip Injuries (ii) | Including a fracture dislocation of the pelvis and potential impotence | £75,550 to £95,680 |
| Wrist Injuries a) | A complete loss of function in the wrist where an arthodesis has been undertaken. | £58,710 to £73,050 |
| Severe Knee Injuries (iii) | Continuing pain, discomfort and a limitation of movement with the risk of degenerative changes. | £31,960 to £53,030 |
| Wrist Injuries c) | Resulting in some permanent injury with persisting pain and stiffness | £15,370 to £29,900 |
Can Personal Injury Claims Compensate For Special Damages?
Yes, personal injury claims can compensate for special damages as part of a settlement. In essence, special damages will aim to reimburse you for any monetary losses you may have experienced due to your injuries.
Examples of special damages may include the following:
- Lost earnings – This may include a loss in current and future income, loss of a bonus, overtime pay and workplace benefits.
- Care expenses – Such as the cost of professional help with cleaning, cooking, dressing and nursing.
- Medical expenses – Encompassing private medical consultations, physiotherapy sessions and prescription costs for painkillers and antidepressants.
- Home modification costs – This may include hoists, stairlifts, ramps and new doors you may have installed to accommodate permanent injuries.
- Travel expenses – Such as public transport and fuel expenses from travelling to and from medical appointments.
It’s also essential that special damages are supported with evidence, such as:
- Receipts
- Invoices
- Bank statements
- Payslips
Can Personal Injury Compensation Be Accessed Early?
Yes, personal injury compensation could be accessed early through receiving interim payments. As an advance compensation sum, interim payments are designed to help claimants to cover any urgent and immediate costs whilst a claim is ongoing. For instance, a claimant could be left unable to work for a period of time due to serious injuries sustained in an accident. Applying for interim payments could therefore relieve the claimant from this financial hardship, helping them to cover mortgage payments and physiotherapy costs.
The payment received will make up a percentage of the expected overall compensation; it will also be subtracted from the overall pay-out once the claim has finalised.
To learn about the criteria for receiving interim payments, please get in touch with one of our friendly advisors today.
Is There A Time Limit When Claiming For An Injury?
Yes, there is a 3-year time limit when claiming for an injury. As per the Limitation Act 1980, the time limit will start from the date of the accident.
However, the standard 3-year time limit does not apply in all cases. The following exceptions may apply:
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Children cannot bring a personal injury claim in their own name. Instead, a litigation friend (such as a parent or legal guardian) can make a claim on their behalf at any time before their 18th birthday. If no claim is made during childhood, the individual will have three years from their 18th birthday to begin a claim themselves.
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Individuals who lack mental capacity are also unable to pursue a claim independently. In these cases, a litigation friend can act on their behalf to bring a claim at any time. If the injured person later regains mental capacity, the three-year limitation period will begin from the date capacity is restored.
To find out how you can make a claim as a litigation friend on behalf of a child or a loved one who lacks capacity, please contact our team today for confidential advice.
What Is The Process When Making A Claim?
The process of making personal injury claims typically involves notifying the responsible party by a formal letter, gathering evidence, and obtaining a medical assessment. Please see the following steps in further detail:
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- Initial Notification Of The Claim: Your solicitor will send a formal letter to the defendant detailing the allegations and the legal basis of the claim, giving them time to respond.
- Liability Investigations: The defendant will have a set period to investigate the claim and respond with a liability admission or denial. In road traffic accidents, a dedicated portal may be used to manage the claim, such as the Official Injury Claims portal.
- Medical Assessments and Evidence Gathering: To confirm the extent of your injuries, you’ll be examined by an independent medical professional to create a report. You must also provide evidence of the accident, including photographs, witness contact details, and proof of financial losses.
- Negotiation and Settlement: The negotiation stage involves exchanging offers between parties until a fair settlement is agreed. If the offer accurately reflects your pain and suffering and is accepted, the claim will be closed. Shortly after, your compensation will be received.
- Court Proceedings: In rare cases where liability is denied or a settlement is not reached, the case may proceed to court. Here, a judge will determine liability and/or a compensation amount.
To discover more about the personal injury claims process, please feel free to get in touch with one of our advisors today.
What Evidence Will I Need To Bring A Personal Injury Claim?
The process when making a claim will primarily involve seeking medical attention, gathering evidence and obtaining advice from a solicitor. As such, please see the personal injury claims process in further detail:
- Seek medical attention, whether it be visiting A&E, your GP or an urgent care facility. Not only will this aid your recovery, but it can provide an official documentation of the injuries you suffered through your medical records.
- Collect evidence. Useful evidence could include photographs of visual injuries, CCTV and dashcam footage, a copy of your medical records and witness contact details.
- Ensure that the accident is reported. Depending on the nature of the accident, this could include logging the incident in a report book or notifying your insurer.
- Speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor. By helping you estimate the value of your claim and advising you on eligibility, a solicitor could help you take the next steps.
If you’re put through with one of the experienced solicitors, they could assist you in gathering evidence. For a free consultation today, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Can I Make A Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you could make a claim on a No Win No Fee basis if you’re connected with one of the solicitors from our panel. Operating under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), our panel of solicitors could provide the following benefits:
- No solicitor service fees at the start of your claim, as it progresses or in the event that the outcome is unsuccessful.
- If your claim is a success, you’ll be required to pay a small success fee to your solicitor. Please be aware that the percentage of this fee is capped by law and will be subtracted from your compensation. Due to this, you’ll always enjoy the bulk amount.
To find out more about the benefits of CFAs, please contact our friendly advisors today.
What Can No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct Help With?
No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct can help by providing a free initial consultation for personal injury claims. If you’re connected with one of the specialist solicitors from our panel, you could enjoy the following:
- Explaining of key legal jargon to help you understand the personal injury claims process
- Regular case updates so you always know where your personal injury claim stands
- Putting you in contact with physiotherapists and counsellors to aid ongoing injuries
- Arrangement of an independent medical assessment to produce a report
- Expert advice that adheres to the rules of confidentiality
Contact Our Advisors
To learn more about personal injury claims, please contact our advisors today:
- Call us on 020 8050 4194
- Contact us by filling out our online form
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about personal injury claims, please see some common questions and answers below. For any further guidance and assistance, please get in touch with our advisory team.
What If You Were Partly To Blame For Your Accident?
If you were partly to blame for your accident, you could still make a claim through a split liability agreement. Where both parties are at fault for causing an accident, a split liability agreement can be made to accept some degree of the blame. Therefore, your compensation will be proportionate to your degree of blame and is typically represented by a percentage. Therefore, if the degree of blame is 50/50, you will receive 50% of the compensation pay-out.
What If You Suffered Multiple Injuries From Your Accident?
If you suffered multiple injuries from an accident, you can still include all of your injuries within your personal injury claim. Each injury will be assessed on its physical, psychological and financial impact, which may increase the complexity of your case. Nevertheless, the value of your multiple injuries will be assessed by a solicitor and you will be provided with a unique compensation sum.
Can Personal Injury Claims Be Made On Behalf Of A Loved One?
Yes, personal injury claims can be made on behalf of a loved one by applying to be a litigation friend. As parents, guardians and even solicitors, litigation friends will have the following duties:
- Giving instructions to the solicitor on behalf of the claimant
- Making decisions about how the claim is conducted
- Considering and approving settlement offers
- Ensuring any compensation sought is in the claimant’s best interests
- Acting fairly and responsibly throughout the legal process
How Long Will It Take To Settle A Personal Injury Claim?
There is no definitive time frame for how long it will take to settle a personal injury claim. Nevertheless, our panel of solicitors strive to work in a time efficient manner to maximise case progression. The following factors could also determine the length of your claim:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your recovery period
- The impact on your quality of life
Will You Need To Go To Court For A Personal Injury Claim?
It’s unlikely that you will need to go to court for a personal injury claim, as most cases reach settlement before this point. However, court proceedings may need to be issued as a last resort in the following situations:
- If the defendant will not admit liability, or;
- If the defendant refuses to accept a settlement that accurately reflects your pain and suffering.
How Are Personal Injury Claims Paid For?
Personal injury claims are typically paid for under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If your claim is a success, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation pay-out; this is typically capped at 25% by law. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be subject to any solicitor service fees under the terms of a CFA.
Can I Still Make A Personal Injury Claim If I Wasn’t Physically Injured?
Yes, you can still make a personal injury claim if you weren’t physically injured, provided that you suffered from a recognised psychological condition due to a third party’s negligence. Examples of psychological injuries can include PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Can I Switch To Your Panel Of Solicitors If I’m Unhappy With My Current Representation?
Yes, you have the right to switch to our panel of solicitors at any stage of your claim if you’re unhappy with your current representation. Typically, you won’t be required to pay fees out of your own pocket to switch, and your previous solicitor will be paid for their work when the case is won.
What If The Party Responsible For My Personal Injury Is Uninsured?
If the party responsible is uninsured and you suffered injuries in a road traffic accident, you can still seek compensation through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). The MIB, funded by motorists, offers compensation payouts to those who’ve suffered injuries and property damage caused by uninsured and untraceable drivers.
Will I Have To Pay Tax On My Personal Injury Compensation?
No, personal injury compensation is generally not subject to tax in the UK, as the aim is to restore you to your pre-accident position. However, any interest earned on compensation or returns from investing will be taxable.
Will Personal Injury Compensation Impact My Benefits?
Yes, personal injury compensation can impact means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, and Housing Benefit. However, these benefits can be protected by setting up a Personal Injury Trust.
Learn More
Below we have provided some additional external resources for your reference:
- Learn when to call 999 from the NHS
- Get help with reporting a health and safety concern from HSE
- Find out if you could be eligible to claim statutory sick pay from Gov.UK
Thank you for reading our helpful guide on personal injury claims.