Car Accident Lawyers

Introduction: Car accident compensation claims

Across the UK, someone is seriously injured on the roads every 17 minutes*. If you or a loved one has been involved in a road traffic accident, our specialist solicitors are here to help you access the rehabilitation and compensation you may be entitled to. Every day, we’re contacted by drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians who have suffered injuries in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, whether through reckless driving, poor road conditions or vehicle faults.

*Source: Collision and casualty statistics in the UK are recorded by the police and published by the Department for Transport and Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Expertise and recognition

At Osbornes Law, we’re recognised as one of London’s leading personal injury firms, ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK for our expertise. Our lawyers are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), reflecting their specialist knowledge. We combine decades of experience with a personal approach, guiding you clearly through every stage of your claim. With a 4.7★ rating on Trustpilot from hundreds of reviews, our clients trust us to deliver outstanding results and the support they need after a serious road accident.

How do I claim for a car accident?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, the first step in making a compensation claim is to speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor. Most firms, including Osbornes Law, offer a free initial consultation so you can discuss your case, ask questions, and decide whether you feel confident moving forward with them.

Look for solicitors who are members of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme or the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). These memberships are a strong indicator of recognised expertise in handling car accident claims.

What are the steps in a car accident claim?

Once you’ve chosen a solicitor to represent you, your claim will follow these key stages:

1. Establishing who was at fault

Your solicitor will investigate who is legally responsible for your injuries. In car accident claims, this is usually another driver. However, responsibility may lie with a local authority (e.g. due to poor road maintenance) or another third party.

In most cases, the claim is made against the responsible party’s insurer—not the individual directly.

2. Gathering evidence

You’ll be asked to explain what happened in as much detail as possible. Your solicitor will then collect supporting evidence, which may include:

• Photographs of the scene or vehicle damage
• CCTV or dash cam footage
• Witness statements
• Police accident reports
• Medical records
• Insurance and accident log documentation

The goal is to build a clear, factual picture of how the accident occurred and who was at fault.

3. Medical assessment

To make sure your compensation reflects the full impact of your injuries, you will be examined by an independent medical expert. Their report will assess:

• The severity of your injuries
• How long they are likely to last
• Any long-term impact on your life or ability to work

If your injuries are serious or life-changing, further assessments may be arranged to determine your future care or rehabilitation needs.

4. Calculating and negotiating your compensation

Once your injuries have been fully assessed, your solicitor will calculate how much compensation you may be entitled to. This will take into account:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical costs
• Lost earnings
• Ongoing care or support needs

They will then negotiate with the other party’s insurer to reach a fair settlement. Most claims are resolved at this stage without needing to go to court.

5. Taking the case to court (if needed)

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your solicitor may advise taking the case to court. A judge will review the evidence and decide how much compensation should be awarded.

You may need to attend court and give evidence, but your solicitor will guide and support you through this process.

6. Receiving your compensation

Once a settlement is agreed or a court decision is made, your compensation will be paid. Most payments are made as a lump sum, but if your claim includes long-term care needs, the court may award periodical payments – regular, ongoing payments to cover future costs.

• For further information, read our: Personal Injury Payout Guide

Start your car accident claim today

If you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident and need legal advice, Osbornes Law is here to help. Our experienced team will guide you through every step of the claims process.

• Call us today on 020 7485 8811, or
• Fill out the contact form below to discuss your case in confidence.

What type of car accident can I claim for?

Pedestrians crossing the road: The rights of pedestrians are well protected by the law. There is no offence of “jaywalking” in this country and if a pedestrian is knocked down at traffic lights, on a crossing or other place where they should have been visible to oncoming traffic, there will usually be at least some fault on the part of the vehicle user.

Car passenger claims: There will almost always be a claim here as road accidents are invariably caused by someone’s negligence but the car passenger will have been an innocent party.

Hit and run claims: If the accident was a hit-and-run or if the other party was not insured then the case can still proceed but it will be dealt with by the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) rather than an insurance company. Insurance is compulsory for nearly all motorised road vehicles. Most road accident claims are therefore directed to a motor insurer and they pay the compensation and costs in the successful cases.

Uninsured driver claims: Uninsured cases are run like any other personal injury claim but the MIB has a separate scheme for Hit and Run cases. Under this scheme, court proceedings are not allowed and there are special rules governing eligibility, procedure and costs.

Drink driving accident claims: Drink driving remains one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities on UK roads. If you were injured by a driver who was over the legal alcohol limit, you may be able to bring a claim for compensation, even if the driver was not convicted in a criminal court.

Taxi accident claims: If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a taxi or Uber driver, our specialist solicitors can help you make a claim.

How long do I have to claim for a car accident?

The time limit for making a road traffic accident claim is three years. This means that court proceedings must be issued within 3 years of the accident date. There are some different time limits and the court may decide to extend depending on the circumstances and type of case. When you call us for your initial free consultation our legal team will discuss this with you.

No win no fee car accident claims

Your claim would be funded on a No Win, No Fee basis which means you will not have to pay anything at the start of your claim and there will be nothing to pay should your claim be unsuccessful.

When you call us to discuss your claim, our personal injury lawyers will discuss funding and explain, in full, payments to be made from your compensation.

What our clients say

“I contacted the Osbornes Law at a difficult time for me – my daughter was hit by a car and was in a serious condition in the hospital. I am a foreigner and could not do anything as I was at the bedside of my daughter. Ben Posford and his team took on my case, resolving all issues with the police, the court, the insurance company. In addition to high professionalism, they showed great human sensitivity, concern for my interests.” Read the Client Review on TrustPilot.

“I was hit by a car on a zebra crossing on Boxing Day. The driver made a lot of false claims to try and shift the blame and responsibility onto me. Over almost a 20 month period, Osbornes Law provided a fantastic service. They fully supported me and made the process as smooth and stress free as one might hope. I was very pleased with the end result and would highly recommend the firm. Andrew Middlehurst and Nicola Hall did a brilliant job!” Read the client review on TrustPilot

Expert car accident lawyers

Osbornes Law specialise in personal injury claims for compensation, we have a large team of experienced and independently accredited personal injury solicitors handling road traffic accident claims in London and across the UK. Our solicitors have helped thousands of people get their lives back on track following serious injuries. We have built up a strong reputation for representing clients with the following injuries:

• Head and Brain Injury
• Spinal Injuries
• Amputation and Limb Damage
• Fatal Injuries

Our legal teams comprise car accident lawyers fluent who are fluent in many languages including Romanian, Hungarian, Polish, Bulgarian, Czech and Spanish who can also advise on car accidents abroad.

Contact us

• Call us today on 020 7485 8811, or
• Fill out the contact form below to discuss your case in confidence.