Find accurate, official guidance on car accident rights, insurance and personal injury from GOV.UK and Citizens Advice.
Need free advice? Citizens Advice — citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0800 144 8848 (free).
Need a solicitor? Law Society — Find a Solicitor.
📖 Want the full picture? Read our guide: Driving Rights
How long do I have to make a personal injury claim?
Three years from the accident, or from the date of knowledge. For children, the three years runs from their 18th birthday.
How much is a whiplash claim worth?
For accidents on or after 31 May 2025 the tariff runs from £275 for up to 3 months, £565 for 3–6 months, £965 for 6–9 months, £1,510 for 9–12 months, £2,335 for 12–15 months, £3,445 for 15–18 months, and £4,830 for 18–24 months.
Where do I make a whiplash claim?
Through the Official Injury Claim portal for whiplash and soft tissue claims under £5,000. The whiplash small claims track limit is £5,000; for non-whiplash personal injury it is £1,500.
What if the other driver was uninsured or drove off?
The Motor Insurers' Bureau covers both. The Uninsured Drivers Agreement 2015 covers victims of uninsured drivers and the Untraced Drivers Agreement 2017 covers hit and run. You must report the accident to the police within 14 days and claim within 3 years.
The other driver's insurer contacted me directly — should I engage?
That is known as third party capture. Be wary: accepting an early offer may compromise your claim.
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After a road accident, your rights depend on who was at fault, whether the other driver was insured, and what losses you've suffered — from vehicle repairs to personal injury and any time off work needed to recover.
If the at-fault driver has no valid insurance, or can't be traced, the Motor Insurers' Bureau exists specifically to compensate victims in these situations — this is very likely your route to compensation rather than pursuing the driver personally.
Your insurer, or the MIB, will typically need the police report reference to process a claim properly — without it, your claim can stall while the details of the accident are verified through slower means, so it's worth obtaining this as early as possible.
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Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. Official information: GOV.UK (England), GOV.WALES (Wales), mygov.scot (Scotland) and nidirect (Northern Ireland). For free help, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604), or speak to a solicitor.
Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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