Making a personal injury claim
An accident can have a huge impact on the life of you and the people closest to you. When an injury or illness isn't your fault, the road to recovery can feel like a long and lonely one. In that situation, we appreciate that making a personal injury claim won't always be your number one concern. And we also understand there can be many reasons for that.
One concern some people have is the length of time a claim can take. At a time when you want to be focusing on getting better, this reluctance is only natural. But our job is to help you through the entire process. If your main concern is about how long a personal injury claim may take to settle, let us explain what you can expect - and how we'll support you through it.
How long does a claim take to settle?
We don't have a one-size-fits-all answer for this question. Why? The reason is that you are unique. So too are the details of your accident and the nature of your injuries. That means your claim will be unique too. The important thing to remember is that we know this. So, we'll be at your side no matter how long your injury claim takes to settle.
Here are some of the main factors that can shape how long a personal injury claim takes:
- The type of accident you were injured in
- How serious your injuries are
- How long your recovery is expected to take
- The details our firm of solicitors needs to build your case
- How long, if at all, it takes the other party to admit fault
All the above factors feed into the length of time a claim takes to settle. But our solicitors are experts at dealing with personal injury claims large and small. So, you can rest easy knowing you're in safe hands when you choose National Accident Law to support you.
How long do car accident claims take to settle?
As mentioned above, the type of accident can impact how long a claim can take to settle. This is certainly the case when you're injured in a car accident that wasn't your fault. Of course, there's no definite answer to how long car accident claims can take to settle. But, as a rule of thumb, it isn't unusual for these claims to take between 12 and 18 months.
That said, the UK government offers an online portal that aims to speed up the process. If your road traffic accident is a minor one, you can use it to make a claim worth up to £5,000.
How long does it take to get criminal injuries compensation?
Is your injury or illness the result of a criminal act such as assault, abuse or violence? In these cases, the government's Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is there to help you.
CICA will assess most claims within 12 months - but it may take up to 18 months to settle.
Why can some personal injury claims take a long time?
Our expert solicitors do all they can to make sure your case is settled as soon as possible. We'll keep you updated at each stage of the process too. We think this is especially important if your case takes a long time. Unfortunately, some claims do - and there are various reasons for this:
- Complex injuries: In the most severe accidents, the nature of the injuries suffered can be complex. It can sometimes take time to understand the full impact - and this will be important because you'll need a compensation award that properly reflects this.
- Who the claim is being made against: In many cases, the process will be pretty easy because we know who your claim should be made against. But there can be situations in which it's not obvious, such as a hit-and-run accident or an uninsured driver.
- Refusal to accept liability: The other party to blame for your injury will be told that a claim is being made. But they don't have to accept this. In rare cases, it can mean that a personal injury claim needs to go to court, taking longer to settle.
No matter how long an injury claim takes, you'll be supported throughout the process from start to finish. If you're coming to terms with an injury or illness that wasn't your fault, let us help you. Contact us now or call us on and we'll help put your mind at ease.
How to prove the other party is at fault
One key factor that can help us settle a claim quicker is if the other party accepts fault for your pain and suffering. This is otherwise known as "liability".
If the other party does this as soon as we tell them a claim is being made, the chances are that we can move forward pretty quickly. But it's not unusual for the other person or organisation to disagree - at least, not at first.
It affects how long a personal injury claim takes, but it's nothing to worry about. All it means is that we'll start collecting the evidence to prove their liability. Discussions may also start with the other side to work out who is to blame.
To support this process, the following will be collected:
- Witness statements
- Medical assessments
- CCTV/video footage
- Specialist opinions
Using all this information, our team will build the strongest possible case on your behalf. In doing so, we'll aim to ensure you receive the amount of compensation you need - and that you don't have to wait any longer than is necessary.
Meet the team
Craig Farmer
Operations Team Manager
An experienced legal support advisor and manager, Craig is responsible for one of our legal support advice teams.
View profileMeet the teamThe personal injury claims process
As soon as we start dealing with your claim, the process is all managed by your solicitor. They'll be the ones who will collect what's needed to build your case. And they'll also liaise with the other party to make sure nothing takes longer than it has to.
We'll also make sure you know if we can take your claim on a no win no fee basis.
How long do I have to start a claim?
We always say it's a good idea to start your claim as soon as possible. This can be tough in the immediate aftermath of an accident. But this does mean you'll have a fresher recollection of what happened. It can also give us the best chance to gather the evidence needed.
Both of these factors can help minimise how long it takes for your injury claim to settle.
In most situations, there is a three-year time limit to make a claim. In cases involving a child or someone who can no longer start a claim for themselves, this limitation may not apply. Contact us or call us on to find out where you stand.
How long will it be until you receive your compensation?
It takes between two weeks and a month for compensation to be paid if your claim is settled in your favour. A deadline for payment is set whether the claim is settled in or out of court.
Of course, there's no one answer to the question: "How long does a personal injury claim take?" But it doesn't mean you'll necessarily have to wait until a claim is settled to receive the money you need to support your recovery.
You may be able to secure interim payments during the claims process. This could be helpful if you have any immediate care or treatment needs you need to pay for.
What is the claims portal and how can it help you?
For some cases, the claims portal is an electronic system that aims to make the process much quicker. It serves as a go-between for you and the other party.
There are criteria that your case has to meet to use this portal. And your claim will be removed if the other party denies liability for your injury.
No matter what happens, however, we'll always support and update you.
What to do next if you think you have a claim
If you're suffering from an injury or illness that wasn't your fault, get in touch with us now. You can call us on or request a call back.
The first step is a free, no-obligation consultation. Our helpline advisors will ask you to take us through your experience in your own words and at your own pace. We'll then be able to tell you if we can support your claim - and whether you could claim on a no win no fee basis.
Happy to proceed? You'll then be put in touch with an expert solicitor. They'll do everything possible to build a strong case on your behalf and ensure the process takes no longer than it has to.
Frequently asked questions...
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to make a claim on behalf of a loved one. For instance, you can claim on behalf of your child if they were injured and under the age of 18.
You may also be able to claim on behalf of an injured person who's suffered head or brain trauma, or someone who has a pre-existing medical condition which means they are unable to make a decision themselves. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is in place to protect vulnerable parties and help people establish when a person lacks capacity to make their own decision.
If you are claiming on behalf of a loved one, it is important you have all the details of their accident and medical treatment. A personal injury solicitor will be able to take you through this and explain how the compensation claim process works in these situations.
If your loved one has died due to an accident that wasn't their fault, we understand how difficult it can be to cope. While we can't take back what happened, we can help you to claim compensation which may relieve some of the financial pressure you're facing.
Good quality, pin-sharp ones please - and the more the better! Quality photographic evidence is a really important way of illustrating the cause of your accident and the injuries you have sustained. The pictures will then form a key part of the evidence we present should we take your claim forward. Generally speaking, we'll need the following photographic evidence from you:
- Images of your injuries (including close-ups, particularly for facial wounds), spread over a few days if possible so we can see how you're healing.
- The general location and exact spot where the accident happened.
- The defect or hazard that caused the accident if it was a trip, slip or fall (for example, a broken kerb, raised pavement or poor lighting).
- The road layout (and any defects) if it was a road traffic accident for a driver, motorcycle/moped rider, passenger or pedestrian.
Getting the pictures to us is easy. When you've opened MyAccount - our secure online area for all your claim documentation - you'll find detailed photography guidelines. After you've taken the pictures, you simply upload them for us to view and check.
Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to how much compensation you might receive.
If your claim is successful, your compensation award will depend on the type and severity of your injuries. It will also take into consideration your costs to date and any potential future costs that relate to your accident.
We negotiate your compensation with the party responsible for your accident and until those negotiations start, we don't know what your final figure might be. There's no need for you to worry, though. At National Accident Law, our firm of no win no fee solicitors are skilled and experienced. You can be confident you're in safe hands when it comes to negotiating your compensation amount.
If you'd like further guidance on how much your claim could be worth, check the table below. It gives you guide information on typical amounts paid out for injuries of all types and severities.
| Injury | Guide Amount |
|---|---|
| Head injury | £1,760 - £322,060 |
| Facial injury | £1,360 - £322,060 |
| Mild tinnitus to total deafness | £10,040 - £87,410 |
| Whiplash | £300 - £6,290 (with recovery in 1-2 years) |
| Moderate shoulder injury | £6,290 - £10,180 |
| Back injury causing permanent symptoms | £9,970 - £22,130 |
| Hip or pelvis injury | £3,150 - £104,370 |
| Fractured forearm | £5,280 - £15,300 |
| Wrist injury | £2,810 - £47,720 |
| Hernia | £2,710 - £19,260 |
| Ankle injury | £10,960 - £55,560 |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | £3,150 - £80,250 |
For reference, we use the 15th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines on Personal Injury to assess potential compensation awards. However, we cannot guarantee an award amount.