It is estimated that there are over 300,000 injuries caused by car accidents every year, with the majority of these road traffic accidents being caused by human error. Only around 40% of people who have suffered a car accident make a claim because of course, not everyone is injured.

If you are injured however, Trafford Law’s solicitors are experts in pursuing compensation claims on behalf of the victims of a car accident.  Whether you are:

• The driver
• A passenger
• On a motorcycle
• A cyclist 
• A pedestrian

After a Car Accident

If you are unfortunate enough to have a car accident, even though you will be shocked, you need to take the registration number of all vehicles involved. It is also very useful to note the name and address of the driver and passengers with a brief description and the type and colour of the vehicle as well as the time of day and condition of the road. It is against the law not to stop if you have been involved in a car accident.

If anybody involved in the car accident has been seriously injured or if the other driver leaves the scene, has no valid insurance, or appears to be driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, you should contact the Police immediately to report the accident.

Always try and take pictures of, not only the damage, but also the position of the cars immediately after the accident. We understand you will be shocked and shaken but versions of events can often change over time and in such circumstances it is helpful to have a contemporaneous record of the accident. 

We are able to trace the insurance company of the vehicle using the registration number and we then write to the insurance company to start your claim and use the other details you have provided us with.

All cars and other motor vehicles are required by law to have insurance to protect against a car accident occurring. However, unfortunately, some people do drive without insurance or you may be involved in a car accident where other driver has driven off (i.e. a hit and run accident).  In these circumstances, you can still make a car accident claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (“MIB”). More details about this type of claim can be found on our uninsured Driver Accidents page. 

Types of compensation

As well as claiming compensation for your injury, you may be entitled to claim for:

•  Loss of earnings – If you have had to have time off work as a result of your injury, you may be entitled to bring a claim for the earnings that you have lost.
• Care and rehabilitation – If you have needed help in normal day to day activities as a result of the accident, our personal injury specialists are dedicated to making sure that that you obtain a high standard of rehabilitation care and support at the time when you need it and where possible without cost to you.
• Replacement vehicle – if your own insurance company won’t provide you with a replacement vehicle you will need to find a credit hire specialist who will provide you with a like-for-like replacement while your vehicle’s repairs are completed.
• If you are not at fault, you do not need to claim on your own insurance, which means you do not lose any no claims bonus you may have accrued. Your entire car accident claim may be made against the negligent party and their insurer. However, regardless of fault you should always notify your own insurance company when you have had an accident.
• Vehicle repair – our car accident solicitors work closely with a number of approved body shops and non-fault accident vehicle replacement providers. We can therefore arrange all your repairs for you, saving you the extra hassle during what is already a stressful time. We instruct independent motor engineers to assess the extent of damage to your vehicle, thus ensuring you get the best valuation for your car if your vehicle is beyond repair. Alternatively, we ensure that your repairs are carried out using new parts and at suitable cost without cutting corners. 

As with all personal injury claims, please take photographs of your injuries if you have any cuts or bruises etc. and visit a health professional who can give you advice and help you recover from your injuries more quickly. 

Time limits on claims

It is important to pursue Road Traffic Accident injury claims as soon as possible, as there are strict timescales in which you can bring these claims. After a Road Traffic Accident Injury, you have up to three years to pursue compensation.

To read about one of our successful car accident claims click here –  Car Accident Case Study

Contact one of our personal injury specialists

If you have sustained an injury in a Car Accident which was not your fault and wish to discuss how to pursue a claim for compensation, please contact us today by completing the claims consultation form above or calling us on 01213 69 6969 and speak to one of our personal injury specialists.

All our initial consultation advice is free of charge and without obligation. If you do have a valid claim you wish to pursue we will be able to deal with this on a no win, no fee basis.