Road Traffic Accident Claims

Types of Road Traffic Accidents

Most traffic accidents fall into the following categories:

• Car accidents.
• Passenger accidents.
• Pedestrian accidents.
• Cycling accidents.
• Motorcycle accidents.

However, there are a wider range of road traffic accidents that we can help with that do not fall into these categories. If you have been involved in an accident on the road, that wasn’t your fault, fill out an assessment form or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free assessment today.

The Impact of Road Traffic Accident Injuries

A road traffic accident can have a big impact on your life. Aside from the pain of physical injury, there’s the psychological shock of being hurt suddenly and unexpectedly.

There is also the effect on your home, family and personal life and the financial implications if your injury is serious and you are unable to work. This can cause greater strain if you have dependents, you care for.

Injuries from road accidents can take time to heal and may result in permanent changes, serious health risks, or additional complications. While we can’t change what you’ve experienced, we can assist you in starting a no win no fee road traffic accident claim.

If you’ve suffered due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help you seek the recovery support and compensation you deserve.

Car Accident Claims

Even minor car accidents can result in long-term injuries. If you were the driver and you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault you may be entitled to claim compensation.

If you’re involved in a serious car accident, we can help you receive any ongoing support, such as rehabilitation. Insurers might offer you a quick settlement, but it’s crucial to seek unbiased legal advice before accepting any offer.

Learn more on our Car Accident Claims.

Passenger Accident Claims

If you’ve been involved in an accident as a passenger, and suffered an injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries. Passengers in vehicles cannot be liable for any accidents that occur, which means they are entitled to claim compensation against the party.

Pedestrian Accident Claims

Injuries from road accidents can be devastating for pedestrians. If the worst occurs, it’s essential to have access to the support and assistance you need to recover as effectively and swiftly as possible.

Cycling Accident Claims

Cyclists are incredibly vulnerable on the roads. Drivers often fail to leave room or pay sufficient attention and potholes can pose an increased risk of injury. If you have been injured while cycling, you may be entitled to make a cycling accident compensation claim.

Learn more on Cycle Accident Claims.

Motorcycle Accident Claims

After a motorbike accident, compensation may not be your immediate concern, but pursuing a claim can offer the resources necessary to help you rebuild your life. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

Fatal Accident Solicitors

A fatal accident is someone who has sadly died due to an accident, which can be from an injury or an illness. Our fatal accident solicitors have helped people who have lost loved ones in road traffic accidents, and we can help you investigate a fatal accident claim.

Learn more on fatal accident claims.

Claiming Compensation for Road Traffic Accident

Everyone is entitled to go about their everyday life in safety. Our personal injury team understand the emotional and psychological strain and stress an injury can cause, and therefore are empathetic and understanding with all their clients. It is important you choose a specialist personal injury solicitor with a proven track record of handling complex accident and injury cases.

From the start of your claim, our personal injury solicitors will guide and support you through the claims process with compassion and understanding. We offer a free consultation to discuss your personal injury story, and we will signpost you to the best possible support for you based on your situation.

If we take your case on, we will explain everything to you clearly, offer support, and help you find a suitable funding option for your claim. We will aim to provide straight forward advice that seeks to limit both legal and medical jargon, to ensure any stress and anxiety relating to the claim is kept to a minimum. Our personal injury team will be with you every step of the way. We want to ensure that you are properly looked after so we focus on you and your recovery as well as your compensation claim.

Can I Make a Road Traffic Accident Claim?

If you were hurt in a road traffic accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim. To better understand the personal injury claims process, here’s what you can expect if you choose to pursue a claim:

• The injury, illness or accident will need to have occurred in the last 3 years (exceptions may be made, for example in children’s claims).
• You will need to be honest, and you need to tell us when, where and how you suffered your injury.
• We will listen, be sympathetic and listen to your story, and we will offer advice when suitable.
• We will help you gather all information and evidence needed for your case.
• We will then work with you to prove that your injury or illness was caused by someone else’s actions.
• We will work hard to help you receive interim payments where possible.
• We will try our best to use dispute resolution methods to keep your claim out of court.
• We can help with rehabilitation, therapy and specialist medical care to help you get back on your feet.
• We can help get compensation for damage to personal property, vehicles and out of pocket expenses.

There are other factors that can impact your road traffic accident claim which can be discussed when you contact our personal injury team. Fill out an assessment form or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free assessment today.

Learn more on the personal injury claims process.

No Win No Fee Injury Claim

We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our no win no fee agreement, also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), helps you take legal action. You don’t have to worry about upfront costs.*

In most cases, if accepted on a no win, no fee basis, you won’t pay a penny upfront for our legal services*. The basis of a CFA is that you will not be required to pay our legal fees if the compensation claim is unsuccessful. Meaning, you will not pay any fees to us unless we win your case for you*.

You can find more information on our no win no fee personal injury claim page. It includes a full list of terms and conditions.

*There are circumstances where you would be asked to pay any outstanding costs even if you don’t win your case.

You may need to pay for services from Howells Solicitors in certain situations. These include being dishonest, not giving your solicitor instructions, or rejecting an offer against their advice. Other examples are the death of the claimant, cancelling your claim, and moving without telling your solicitor.

In these cases, you might also have to cover the defendant’s costs. Client’s may be asked to pay disbursements up front or must stand to the cost of a medical report if a second opinion is obtained. In some instances, you may need to pay for medical reports or other third-party payments upfront. We would discuss this with you before making any decision.

Free Personal Injury Initial Appointment – Step by Step

Step 1 – Book Your Free Consultation
Contact our personal injury claims team by completing our online form or by calling 0114 2496 611. We’ll arrange a free appointment at a time that suits you, including during lunch breaks or after work.

Step 2 – Share Your Story
During your initial telephone appointment, our friendly solicitors will listen to your concerns with care and compassion. We’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you’ve been affected.

Step 3 – Get an Initial Assessment
We’ll let you know quickly whether we can help with your injury claim. Our team handles all types of cases, whether large or small.

Step 4 – Understand the Process
Your solicitor will explain the injury claims process in simple terms, guiding you step by step at your own pace.

Step 5 – Case Investigation
If we believe your claim requires further investigation, we’ll open a case and discuss your next steps, including funding options and legal costs.

Step 6 – Ongoing Support
From your first appointment onwards, our personal injury solicitors will provide expert advice, compassionate support, and clear guidance to help you secure the compensation and rehabilitation you deserve.

How to Make an Injury Claim – Step by Step

Step 1 – Free Consultation
Contact Howells Solicitors on 0114 2496 611 or complete our online form. During your free consultation, we’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you were affected.

Step 2 – Initial Assessment
Our specialist personal injury solicitors will review your case and let you know if further investigation is needed. We’ll explain your funding options, including No Win, No Fee agreements*.

Step 3 – Case Investigation
If your claim proceeds, we’ll collect and review any statements, evidence and medical records. We may also consult independent, 3^rd party professionals to help your case.

Step 4 – Letter of Claim
Once evidence is gathered, we will formally start legal proceedings by sending a Letter of Claim to the Defendant.

Step 5 – Interim Payments
Where possible, we will secure interim compensation payments to help cover immediate care, rehabilitation, or financial needs while your case continues.

Step 6 – Settlement or Court
We aim to resolve claims through negotiation or mediation, helping you achieve a faster and less stressful outcome. If necessary, we’ll represent you in court to secure the compensation you deserve.

Flexible Appointments

We understand that dealing with personal injury matters can be stressful, and finding time to attend in-person appointments isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer our full range of personal injury services remotely, offering a more efficient and convenient service. We can offer our personal injury legal support via telephone or secure remote online meetings.

This approach allows you to access expert legal advice from the comfort of your home, without the need to travel or rearrange your schedule. If your case requires a court hearing, many procedural matters are now handled remotely too, ensuring your legal journey is as smooth and accessible as possible.

Our remote services are designed to be just as personal and confidential as in-person consultations, with clear communication and full transparency every step of the way. Remote appointments are offered throughout the case, and most correspondence can be handled by email and Howells secure Client Portal.

Whether you’re dealing with sensitive personal injury matters or simply seeking guidance, we ensure a smooth, stress-free experience that puts your needs first. Whilst we appreciate that remote services offer convenience, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you do wish to meet us face to face, you can book an appointment at one of our offices in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham.

Small Claims Personal Injury and Whiplash Law Changes

New rules and tariffs now affect small personal injury claims resulting from road traffic accidents. In 2021, the government introduced a tariff that links compensation amounts for whiplash claims to the duration of the injury.

This initiative aims to lower overall costs and reduce the number of fraudulent, false, or exaggerated claims, potentially leading to lower motor insurance premiums for drivers and road users.

These changes include:

• The small claims general damages limit will rise for road traffic accident injuries from £1,000 to £5,000.
• Compensation for soft tissue and whiplash injury claims is now fixed, banded by severity, and lower than before.
• People can no longer recover their legal costs from the other side in a small claim. These will now be deducted from compensation awards up to £5,000.’
• Some other minor road traffic accident injuries – like simple fractures – are now classed as a small claim.
• People now have the option to make a small road traffic accident claim themselves online, without needing help from a solicitor.

Certain small claims and other personal injury cases will remain unaffected by these new rules. The updates do not apply to vulnerable road users (such as cyclists and pedestrians), workplace accidents, public accidents, or medical negligence claims.