We can help with all types of accident claims

We can help you claim compensation for all types of accidents, including workplace accidents, medical negligence, road traffic accidents, accidents in public and industrial illnesses.

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We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.

Types of Accident Claims

If you have suffered harm as a result of someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to make a personal injury claim. Your claim can include compensation for general damages such as pain, suffering and loss of amenities, as well as special damages like medical expenses, lost wages and care costs.

Many different accidents can lead to a compensation claim, such as road traffic collisions, slips, trips and falls, medical negligence and criminal assaults. In this guide, we have explained the main claim types and answered some of the most common questions related to the claims process.

For more information or to discuss your case, do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back. You will receive a free consultation with a friendly legal advisor and are not obligated to go ahead with a claim.

Table of Contents

What are the most common types of accident claims?

If you were injured as a result of someone else’s actions or omissions, you might be able to make a personal injury compensation claim. The most common situations leading to a claim include the following:

Road traffic accidents

Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of injury and death worldwide. They typically involve vehicles such as cars, lorries, motorcycles, bicycles, public transportation, or pedestrians. Road accidents can occur due to various factors, such as driver negligence, speeding, impaired driving, poor road conditions, and bad weather. The injuries caused by road collisions can vary widely from minor cuts and bruises to severe fractures, spinal cord injuries, brain trauma and fatalities.

According to the Road Traffic Act 1988, all road users have a duty of care towards others on the road. They must operate their vehicles safely, obey all traffic laws and regulations and adjust their driving to the weather conditions. Injuries caused by a breach of duty can result in various road traffic accident claims, such as:

Accidents at work

Accidents at work can occur in various settings and industries, from offices to factories and construction sites. They can be caused by slips and trips, heavy machinery, faulty equipment, manual handling, exposure to dangerous substances, or a lack of PPE to prevent injuries at work. Injuries caused by workplace accidents can vary in severity from minor fractures and lacerations to amputations and severe brain injuries.

Employers have a duty of care towards employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other workplace legislation. They must provide a safe working environment, proper training, and the necessary safety equipment and ensure all equipment and machinery are in good working order. An employer’s failure to fulfil their duties can result in many types of accidents, such as:

Accidents in public

Accidents in public places can occur in various settings, such as parks, walkways, shops, restaurants, hotels and schools. These can be due to hazards such as wet or slippery floors, uneven pavements, poor lighting, missing handrails, faulty electrical installations, and many other dangerous conditions. An accident in public can result in various injuries, such as sprains, strains, concussions, fractures and back injuries.

Property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain safe premises and warn visitors of known dangers. They must take reasonable measures, as required by the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, to reduce the risk of accidents, or they will be liable for compensation in case of injury. The most common claims for accidents in public include:

Medical negligence

Medical negligence refers to acts or omissions by healthcare professionals that deviate from the acceptable standards in their field and harm or injure patients. These can be due to various factors, such as a lack of training or experience, poor communication between staff members, fatigue, burnout and faulty equipment.

The consequences for patients can be devastating and can lead to nerve damage, paralysis, infections, unnecessary surgery, reduced life expectancy and other injuries. The most common types of medical negligence claims include:

Industrial diseases

Industrial diseases are health conditions caused or made worse by exposure to unsafe working conditions or dangerous substances in the workplace. They typically develop over time due to exposure to occupational hazards such as asbestos, silica dust, chemical toxins, radiation, noise, or ergonomic stressors.

These conditions can significantly impact the quality of life of workers, as well as their life expectancy, and cause pain and suffering that could in many cases be avoided if employers fulfil their legal obligation to provide a safe working environment. Personal injury lawyers often handle industrial disease claims related to:

Other accidents

Other common types of accident claims include:

Sports accident claims. While sports injuries are typically nobody’s fault, you could make an accident claim if you were injured by someone else’s negligence. Examples include faulty safety equipment, poorly maintained grounds, bad advice from a coach or inadequate training.
Claims for criminal assaults. Criminal assaults such as physical altercations, sexual abuse and domestic violence can cause severe physical and psychological injuries to victims. If you suffered harm due to a violent act without being at fault, you may be eligible to claim compensation through the CICA.
Dog bite claims. Dog attacks can be terrifying and lead to severe physical and emotional scars. Dog owners are responsible for their canines and must take all reasonable measures to prevent them from causing injuries to people. Otherwise, they may be liable for compensation in a dog bite claim.
Food poisoning claims. If you fell ill due to consuming contaminated food or beverages, you may be entitled to claim compensation from the responsible party. This could be a restaurant, food manufacturer or supplier who has failed to follow the hygiene and food safety standards.
Faulty product claims. Defective or unsafe products, such as faulty machinery, protective equipment, cars, bicycles or even pharmaceutical drugs, can cause severe harm to consumers. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, you may be able to make a claim for injuries suffered due to a faulty product, subject to the specific requirements and defences set out in the legislation.
Accidents abroad claims. If you were involved in an accident while travelling abroad, such as a road collision or slip, trip and fall, you may still be eligible to claim compensation. Based on your circumstances, you may be able to claim in the UK or may have to seek damages abroad.

These are just a few examples of accidents for which you may be entitled to make a claim. Regardless of your situation, if you have a valid case, a no win no fee* personal injury solicitor will help you get started with the accident claims process and seek appropriate compensation for the harm you suffered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we have answered some of the most common questions related to the personal injury claims process, which apply to all claim types. If you have other questions or would like to discuss the possibility of making a claim, please call 0800 470 0472 or enter your details into our online form to request a call back.

What is the time limit to start a claim?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have three years to start a personal injury claim following your accident or date of knowledge. Once this time limit has passed, your case may be considered statute-barred and no longer valid, depending on the circumstances. However, there are a few exceptions:

If your injuries are not immediately apparent or you develop them over time, the three years begin from when you become aware of your injury, which is known as the date of knowledge.
With child accident claims, the three years begin on the child’s 18th birthday. Before this, a parent or another suitable adult could claim on their behalf at any time.
There is generally no time limit to start a claim on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to handle their claim, for as long as they remain incapacitated.
Claims through the CICA for abuse and assaults have a two-year time limit.
You have seven years to make a claim for a military injury through the AFCS.

How much compensation could my claim be worth?

The amount of compensation awarded to you will depend on the specific losses you incurred due to your accident. These are grouped into two separate types:

General damages cover the injury or illness caused to you and the impact on your life. Examples include mental anguish, physical pain, reduced quality of life, and how it has affected your hobbies and social life. The award for these losses is based on the guidelines from the Judicial College (18th Edition) and could be up to £534,000 for the most severe brain injuries.
Special damages cover the financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses you incurred from the accident. This may include care costs, private medical treatments, loss of earnings, travel expenses and modifications to your home or vehicle. The award for special damages is based on receipts, invoices and other financial documents.

How long will my claim take?

The amount of time it takes for a compensation claim to settle can vary from a few months in the case of a straightforward car accident to more than five years in the case of complex medical negligence. Several factors influence this timeframe, including:

The nature and severity of your injuries
The circumstances of your accident
Whether you know the party responsible for your injuries
The complexity of the case
Your expected recovery time
The availability of evidence
The estimated value of your claim
Whether the other side admits liability
Whether you have to go to court

Your personal injury solicitor will work hard to settle your claim in the shortest time possible. If you have pressing financial needs in the meantime, they may be able to secure interim payments on your behalf.

How much does it cost to start a claim?

If you have a valid claim for compensation, it will not cost you any solicitor fees upfront to start legal proceedings. One of the solicitors we partner with will take on the risk of litigation and offer you a no win no fee service.

Under this agreement, you do not have to pay them anything upfront, or if your claim fails. Your solicitor will only receive a success fee, capped at 25% of certain damages, if they manage to secure compensation for your injuries.

Can I claim on behalf of a loved one?

If your loved one is a child under 18 or an adult who lacks mental capacity, you will likely be able to start a claim on their behalf. If you have no conflict of interest with them and can conduct legal proceedings fairly and competently, the court will appoint you as their litigation friend. As a litigation friend, you will have several responsibilities, such as gathering evidence, making decisions about the case that are in the claimant’s best interests and considering any settlement offers from the defendant.

The compensation you secure on behalf of a loved one must be approved by a judge based on the available evidence. Afterwards, your solicitor can help you set up a personal injury trust to manage the funds on behalf of your loved one.

Speak to a legal advisor, today!

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*Personal injury claims are provided on a no win no fee basis. If your claim is successful, your solicitor will receive a success fee of up to 25% of your compensation. If any additional costs could be payable, such as taking out legal protection insurance, these would be fully explained upfront by your solicitor before you decide to proceed with your claim. Termination fees may apply based on time spent on your case, or in situations such as: lack of cooperation, deliberately misleading your solicitor, failing to attend scheduled medical or expert examinations, or not appearing at a required court hearing. Please visit our guide to no win no fee claims page for further information.

Last edited on 4th Aug 2026

Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has over 15 years’ experience in the legal industry, with specialist knowledge of personal injury and medical negligence claims.

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