Need a top car accident lawyer in the UK? Here are some of the best RTA (road traffic accident) lawyers based on ratings, reviews, reputation and more:-
Thompsons Road Traffic Accident Solicitors
“One of the things that sets Thompsons Solicitors apart from other law firms is our commitment to always standing up for the injured or mistreated. We refuse to act for insurance companies – our focus is on supporting those who have been injured. And it’s been that way since we first started in 1921.”
Jones Whyte Car Accident Lawyers in Glasgow, Scotland
“Jones Whyte handles car accident claims on a no-win, no-fee basis. Our fee personal injury solicitors ensure there is no financial risk for you – if we don’t win your case, you won’t have to pay any legal fees.” Top personal injury lawyers include:- Greg Whyte, Michael McLean, Natalie Doherty, Nicola Waters & John Bayne.
Irwin Mitchell Road Traffic Accident Compensation Claims Lawyers UK
“We’re one of the UK’s leading firms of road traffic accident solicitors. Many leading motor insurers work with us as they know we’ll fight to get the best outcome for our clients. We successfully settle thousands of RTA claims each year, so no matter what happened to you, you know we have the experience and knowledge to help you claim.”
Calio Claims Car Accident Lawyers in Scotland
“At Calio Claims, we understand that if you are involved in a car accident, this can be a traumatic and stressful time. You can be suffering from extensive injuries, and have had to take time off work, or may need to arrange help with everyday tasks or childcare. We have a team of expert lawyers, who have years of experience in dealing with car accident compensation claims.” Top personal injury lawyers include: David Armstrong & Rachel Holt.
Slater & Gordon No Win No Fee Road Accident Expert Lawyers UK
“Slater and Gordon is one of the UK’s leading law firms in road traffic accident claims. We’ll provide you with the best possible legal representation and help you get the compensation you deserve”
Hampson Hughes Road Traffic Accident Claims Solicitors
” Whether your injuries are minor or more serious, our RTA solicitors can help you to claim the compensation that you deserve.”; “Hampson Hughes Solicitors have helped many clients around England and Wales to access the legal support they deserve. If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, we can recover the maximum amount of personal injury compensation you are entitled to.”
The above outstanding road accident lawyers in the UK use their wisdom and hard work to solve problems and fight for legal rights for countless people who have suffered traffic accidents and personal injuries. They are the elites of the legal profession and some of your most reliable partners in difficult situations.
Other Top RTA Solicitors in Scotland, England & Wales and Northern Ireland
More to follow but in the meantime for other top RTA lawyers in the UK, it’s worth considering our list of some of the best personal injury law firms here. Most personal injury law firms will have a good deal of experience with road traffic accident claims.
See also some of these best car accident lawyers in Glasgow, Scotland, in addition to great injury lawyers in Scotland, top car accident claims lawyers in Manchester and some of these best car accident claims solicitors in Birmingham.
About RTAs and RTA Legal Claims in the UK
RTAs (road traffic accidents) are very common, and as a result, personal injury claims following a road traffic accident are common too. There is a wide range of different types of accidents that occur and it can be very stressful and traumatic for everyone involved.
If you are considering making a personal injury claim following a road traffic accident, it is extremely important that you seek specialist legal advice, as this could make the difference between your claim being successful or not. It is likely that you will have questions, concerns and worries.
Here we will try to answer some of the more common concerns regarding making a personal injury claim as a result of a road traffic accident, and we can help put you in touch with some of the best road accident lawyers in the UK if needed:-
1: What to do when an accident happens
Providing you are able to do so, and the accident is not too serious, you should always seek the other driver’s insurance information. If you are unable to do so, for whatever reason, it does not mean that you will be unable to claim. Not having information about the driver or their insurance details does not necessarily preclude you from making a personal injury compensation claim. This is something that a specialist road traffic solicitor will be able to advise you about.
In any situation involving an auto accident, the police will attend. It is important, both from a moral and legal perspective, to tell them exactly what has happened as soon as you physically can. This will not only ensure that any criminal offences can be prosecuted, but will also help to form the evidence needed to prove your compensation claim. Honesty and openness is always best.
Unfortunately, some drivers take to the wheel without insurance, or even whilst disqualified. These are, of course, criminal offences. However, you may still be able to make a claim against them even if they have no insurance and no right to be behind the wheel of a vehicle.
There are many things that can happen when we are on the road, as drivers, passengers and pedestrians, and no two road traffic accidents are the same.
2: Understanding the road traffic accident claims process
Legally, an accident is defined as a road traffic accident if it occurs in a place or on a road to which the public have access, and this includes both footpaths and bridleways.
There is an important legal principle that applies in road traffic accident claims. This is known as the ‘standard of reasonable care’. In straightforward terms, this means that if you have suffered a personal injury as a result of a road traffic accident, and this is due to another road user failing to take ‘reasonable care’, it is very likely that you will be able to commence a road traffic accident personal injury claim.
Even when you may be responsible in part for your road traffic accident, you could be able to make a successful claim. There are cases where you may be partially to blame for what happened, such as another driver cutting in front of you whilst you were driving too fast. It is still possible to claim, despite your partial responsibility for the accident. You may have been careless as a pedestrian, and hit by a car, and yet still be entitled to compensation under the law.
In a case when you are injured whilst in the car of a friend or family member, it will often be the responsibility of their insurer to pay you compensation.
Regardless of the situation, you will always need a medical expert to assess you after a personal injury due to a road traffic accident. Who you are referred to will depend upon the nature and extent of your injuries, and a specialist road traffic accident solicitor will be able to help you.
In any personal injury claim, including those for road traffic accidents, there are strict time limits in place for making a claim and if necessary bringing it before the courts. Normally this is three years.
For this reason, it is important to seek the advice of a good personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. To learn more about the car accident claims legal process in the UK, click here. Note that many claims can be settled within a year, but in complex cases, this can be longer.
3: Find a specialist road traffic accident personal injury lawyer
Finding a car accident injury lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take in respect of your situation. Personal injury law is fairly complex, and it will considerably improve your chances of success to have the very best legal advice, support and representation in respect of your claim.
Road traffic accident law can be very complicated, mainly due to the wide range of different circumstances that can lead to an accident, as well as the number of different people often involved. Road traffic accident solicitors deal with these cases all the time, and therefore are best placed to help you with your claim. It can be difficult to succeed in personal injury claims without the help of an experienced solicitor.
A solicitor or car accident lawyer will be able to provide you with detailed and useful legal advice concerning any claim you wish to make. As a result of their experience with similar cases, they can advise you on the likelihood of the success of your claim, and help you win the compensation that you deserve.
Of course. Here is an improved version of the page, focusing on providing clear, actionable advice for someone in the UK who has been in a car accident.
This rewritten version removes the promotional content, adds crucial legal details for 2025, and is structured to be more user-friendly and authoritative.
To express gratitude and respect for these outstanding lawyers, GS-JJ specially launched Personalised Pens as a gift. Its pen body can be carefully engraved with the lawyer’s name, the law firm’s logo, or a word of thanks, making it unique. When lawyers use this pen, they can feel your recognition and gratitude for their work. Let us use this customized pen to convey our deep respect and sincere gratitude to some of these best road accident lawyers in the UK, and write a chapter of fairness and justice together.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Car Accident Claims in the UK
Expert Legal Advice for Road Traffic Accidents (RTA)
Being involved in a car accident, even a minor one, is a stressful and disorienting experience. Amid the shock and potential injuries, you are faced with a series of crucial decisions that can significantly impact your physical and financial recovery.
This guide provides clear, practical advice on what to do after a road traffic accident (RTA) in the UK. We will walk you through the immediate steps to take, explain the legal claims process, and help you understand how to choose the best car accident lawyer for your specific situation.
1. Immediately After the Accident: A 6-Step Checklist
What you do in the first few hours after an accident is critical. If you are able, follow these steps to protect yourself and any future compensation claim.
- Stop and Ensure Safety: It is a legal requirement to stop at the scene of an accident. Turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 999 for police and ambulance services immediately.
- Exchange Details: You must exchange details with the other driver(s) involved. Do not leave the scene without providing your own. Be sure to get their:
- Full name, address, and contact number.
- Vehicle registration number.
- Their insurance company details (if they have them).
- Do Not Admit Fault: Even if you think you might be to blame, do not apologise or accept responsibility at the scene. Stick to the facts of what happened. Liability can be complex, and admitting fault can jeopardise your claim.
- Gather Evidence: This is vital. Use your phone to:
- Take photographs of the vehicles involved, their positions on the road, any damage, and the wider scene (including road markings, signs, and weather conditions).
- Take a video walking around the scene.
- Get witness details – ask anyone who saw the accident for their name and phone number. Independent witnesses can be invaluable.
- Note the exact time and location.
- Save any dashcam footage you or witnesses may have.
- Report to the Police: You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if someone is injured or if the other driver failed to stop or exchange details. You will be given a police reference number, which is important for your claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, some injuries like whiplash can take hours or days to appear. Visit your GP or a minor injuries unit. This creates an official medical record of your injuries, which is essential evidence for your claim.
2. Understanding the UK Car Accident Claims Process
Once you are safe, the legal process can begin. A specialist solicitor will handle the complexities, but understanding the basics will put you in control.
The Principle of Negligence
For a claim to be successful, you must prove that the other party was ‘negligent’. This means showing they failed to meet the standard of a reasonably careful driver, and this failure caused your accident and injuries. This is known as establishing liability.
Types of Compensation (Damages)
Compensation is divided into two categories:
- General Damages: This payment is for the pain, suffering, and ‘loss of amenity’ (the impact on your quality of life) caused by your injuries. The amount is based on official judicial guidelines and the severity of your medical report.
- Special Damages: This covers all your out-of-pocket financial losses. You must keep receipts and records for everything. This includes:
- Loss of earnings (past and future).
- Vehicle repair costs or insurance excess.
- Medical expenses (e.g., physiotherapy, prescriptions).
- Travel costs to appointments.
- The cost of care provided by family or professionals.
Strict Time Limits
In the UK, you have three years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings for a personal injury claim. For children, the three-year limit begins on their 18th birthday. It is crucial to seek legal advice well before this deadline.
The Official Injury Claim (OIC) Portal & Whiplash Reforms
For minor injuries sustained in accidents that occurred after 31st May 2021, the government introduced a new online system called the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal.
- This system is designed for whiplash-type injuries lasting less than two years and where the total value of the claim is under £5,000.
- Compensation for whiplash in these cases is now based on a fixed tariff.
- While you can use the portal yourself, a solicitor’s guidance is still highly recommended to ensure you value your claim correctly and include all financial losses.
3. How to Choose the Best Car Accident Lawyer for You
Finding the right legal expert is the most important step you can take. While many firms handle these cases, look for one that meets your specific needs. When researching, consider the following:
- Specialist Experience: Does the firm have a dedicated road traffic accident or personal injury department? A specialist will understand the nuances of RTA law better than a general practice lawyer.
- No Win, No Fee Agreements: Most personal injury claims are funded this way. This means you pay nothing upfront, and if your case is unsuccessful, you owe no legal fees. If you win, the solicitor takes a pre-agreed percentage (the ‘success fee’) from your compensation. Always get a clear explanation of this agreement.
- Independent Reputation & Reviews: Look for firms and individual solicitors ranked in independent guides like The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Check recent client reviews on sites like Trustpilot.
- Clear Communication: A good solicitor will explain the process clearly, keep you updated, and answer your questions without using confusing legal jargon.
Need further help and advice?
As you can see, the area of law in respect of road traffic accidents and personal injury is quite complex. There are many different factors to take into account and consider.
With this in mind, you will almost always be better off with a solicitor who has expertise in accident claims and personal injury law.
If you need further help or advice, have questions that remain unanswered, or just need assistance with your legal issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
