Car Accident Claims Solicitors

Being involved in a car accident can be a frightening and overwhelming experience, particularly when you’ve suffered a serious injury. At Ashtons Legal, our specialist car accident solicitors provide clear, practical support to help you understand your rights and recover the compensation you deserve.

We act for individuals across the UK who have been injured in car accidents, from road traffic collisions causing complex soft tissue injuries to cases involving life-changing brain and spinal cord damage.

Our team is accredited by APIL (the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers), recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500, and proud signatories to the Serious Injury Guide and the Rehabilitation Code. We don’t just pursue compensation; we make sure you have access to the specialist rehabilitation and care you need to rebuild your life.

We can help you with:

• Serious and life-changing injury car accident claims
• Whiplash, soft tissue and musculoskeletal injury claims
• Head, brain and spinal injury claims
• Passenger injury claims
• Claims involving uninsured or untraced drivers
• Psychological injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims
• Claims where liability is disputed or fault is shared

Contact our car accident solicitors

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and would like to explore your options, please get in touch. Our specialist car accident solicitors are based in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich and Leeds. We act for clients nationally and can arrange home visits where needed.

Common injuries from car accidents

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from soft tissue damage requiring short-term treatment to conditions with long-term or permanent consequences. Common injuries we handle include:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries to the neck, back and shoulders
• Fractures and broken bones
• Knee and ankle injuries
• Head and brain injuries, including concussion and cognitive impairment
• Spinal injuries, including disc damage and nerve compression
• Psychological injuries, including PTSD and anxiety
• Scarring and disfigurement

Serious and life-changing injuries

Some car accidents cause catastrophic harm that changes every aspect of a person’s life. These cases require a different level of support: one that looks beyond the immediate claim and addresses long-term health, independence and quality of life.

Our specialist serious injury team handles claims involving:

• Traumatic brain injuries and acquired brain damage
• Spinal cord injuries causing paraplegia or tetraplegia
• Amputations and limb loss
• Severe psychiatric injury and complex psychological trauma
• Multiple serious injuries requiring prolonged rehabilitation

We seek interim payments (advances on your compensation) at the earliest opportunity to fund rehabilitation, specialist equipment and home adaptations while your claim continues, as well as to help with the cost of living, particularly where earnings are lost. Our in-house client rehabilitation service works alongside your legal team from the very start, helping you access the care and resources you need without delay.

The car accident claims process

We manage every stage of your claim, keeping you informed and in control throughout.

Initial consultation

We’ll assess your case in detail, advise on whether another party is likely to be liable, and explain all available funding options before you make any commitment. This initial conversation is free and without obligation, and it gives us the opportunity to understand your circumstances fully before advising on the right course of action.

Gathering evidence

We collect accident scene photographs, witness statements, police reports and dashcam footage to build the strongest possible case. Acting quickly at this stage is important, as evidence can deteriorate or be lost over time, so we prioritise this work from the moment you instruct us.

Medical examination

An independent medical expert will examine you, provide a detailed prognosis and set out your rehabilitation and care needs. This report is central to establishing the value of your claim, and in serious injury cases, we work with leading consultants in neurology, orthopaedics and other relevant specialisms to ensure the full picture is captured.

Notifying the other party

We formally notify the other driver’s insurer of your claim and handle all correspondence on your behalf. For lower-value whiplash claims, this may involve the Official Injury Claim portal; for serious injury cases, we manage this process directly. In any event, we ensure your interests are protected from the outset.

Negotiation and settlement

The majority of claims resolve through negotiation, without the need for court proceedings. We’ll advise you clearly on the merits of any offer received, negotiate robustly on your behalf, and won’t recommend acceptance unless we’re confident the settlement truly reflects the full extent of your losses.

Court proceedings

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we’ll issue proceedings and represent you through to trial. Serious and complex cases sometimes require court intervention, and our solicitors are experienced in managing high-value litigation through all stages of the court process, including High Court proceedings where the value and complexity of the claim demand it.

Time limits for making a claim

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to bring a claim, a period known as the limitation period. If you miss this deadline, you’ll lose your right to compensation.

Key exceptions apply, for example:

• Children have three years from their eighteenth birthday to bring a claim.
• Where an injured person lacks mental capacity, time does not run while that incapacity continues.

In some other situations, different time limits may apply – usually shorter ones.

Acting quickly preserves evidence, strengthens your case and gives your claim the best possible foundation and prevents any issues with time limits.

No win no fee car accident claims

Most of our car accident claims are funded through conditional fee agreements (CFAs), commonly known as no win no fee agreements. Under this arrangement:

• You pay no legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful.
• If your claim succeeds, a capped success fee is payable, meaning the substantial majority of your compensation remains yours.
• The defendant’s insurer typically meets your legal costs on a successful claim.

We explain all funding options clearly before you make any commitment. There are no hidden charges and no surprises.

Case studies

Our car accident solicitors have secured significant compensation for clients in complex and high-value cases:

• £320,000 obtained for a head injury following a car accident
• £100,000 obtained for psychiatric injury following a car accident
• Car accident victim wins compensation from husband’s insurers
• Over £55,000 settlement achieved for an injured car driver

Why choose Ashtons Legal?

At Ashtons Legal, we specialise in serious and high-value car accident claims. Recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 for the quality of our personal injury work, our team includes APIL-accredited solicitors experienced in complex, high-value litigation. We’re signatories to the Serious Injury Guide and the Rehabilitation Code, and hold memberships with the Brain Injury Group, the Spinal Injuries Association and MASS (the Motor Accident Solicitors Society).

Our approach goes well beyond litigation. Our in-house Court of Protection team assists with deputyship applications and managing compensation awards where needed. Our rehabilitation and welfare advisors help you access treatment and practical support from the moment you instruct us. And as a full-service firm, we can draw on wider expertise across wills and trusts, employment, family and planning law to address the long-term impact of a serious injury.

We serve clients across East Anglia including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, and act for clients nationally. Find out more about our wider road traffic accident claims expertise.

Frequently asked questions

What is a car accident claim?

A car accident claim is a legal claim for compensation made by someone injured in a road traffic accident caused by another party’s negligence. You may be entitled to claim whether you were a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian. To succeed, you’ll need to show that another party owed you a duty of care, breached it, and that their breach caused your injury.

How much compensation can I claim for a car accident?

Car accident compensation consists of two elements: general damages, which cover your pain, suffering and loss of amenity (the impact of your injury on your daily life and enjoyment), and special damages, which cover financial losses such as lost earnings, medical expenses, care costs and home adaptations. The value of your claim depends on the severity and long-term impact of your injury, as well as the losses you’ve incurred. In serious cases, compensation can reach six or seven figures. We’ll give you a clear, evidence-based assessment of what your claim may be worth.

Can I claim if the car accident was partly my fault?

Yes, you can still claim even if you were partly responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of the blame, a legal principle known as contributory negligence. For example, if you’re found to be 25% at fault, your award will be reduced by 25%. Our solicitors will assess liability at the outset and advise you on the likely impact.

What evidence do I need for a car accident claim?

Useful evidence includes photographs of the accident scene and vehicle damage, witness names and contact details, a police report where one exists, dashcam footage, and medical records documenting your injuries. Our team will help you identify, gather and preserve the most important evidence for your case.

How long does a car accident claim take to settle?

Straightforward claims can settle within a few months. Serious injury cases, where the long-term medical prognosis takes time to establish, can take two to three years or longer. We’ll give you a realistic estimate from the outset and keep you updated at every stage.

Can I claim as a passenger in a car accident?

Yes. Passengers can make a claim regardless of which driver was at fault. You can claim against the driver of the vehicle you were travelling in, the other driver involved, or both, depending on the circumstances. Being a passenger doesn’t affect your right to compensation.

What if the other driver was uninsured?

If the driver who caused your accident was uninsured or couldn’t be traced, you can still make a claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB is a compensation body funded by insurers that exists to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. Our solicitors will manage this process on your behalf.

Do I have to use my insurance company’s recommended solicitor?

No. You have the right to choose your own solicitor, and your insurer cannot insist you use a firm of their choosing. Choosing a specialist personal injury solicitor with experience of serious car accident claims means you’re more likely to receive the full compensation you’re entitled to. Citizens Advice provides further guidance on your rights when making a vehicle insurance claim.

Will I have to go to court?

Most car accident claims are resolved through negotiation and settle without going to court. However, if liability is disputed or a fair settlement can’t be agreed, court proceedings may be necessary. If your case does proceed to trial, our solicitors will represent you with skill and determination throughout.

Contact our car accident solicitors

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and would like to explore your legal options, we’re here to help. Please get in touch with our specialist car accident solicitors in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich or Leeds today.

Call us, email enquiries@ashtonslegal.co.uk, or complete our online enquiry form. We offer home visits for clients in East Anglia and surrounding areas, and virtual consultations for clients further afield.