When claiming as a passenger in a road traffic accident, who you claim against will depend on the circumstances of the accident. It could have been caused by:
The cause won't affect your ability to make a claim, but it will determine who'll be responsible for paying your compensation.
Whoever you are claiming against, the process will follow the same four basic stages:
Stage One: Information Gathering
We'll begin by investigating the circumstances of your crash to work out exactly what happened and, most importantly, who was responsible for the collision.
However, if you were aware that your driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when you got into the car, it may affect the amount you are able to claim.
The accident may be investigated by our specialist team, which includes a former police accident investigator and an advanced driving instructor. They may get hold of police reports, interview witnesses, or put together reconstructions if required, to establish who was responsible for the crash.
You will also have to have a medical examination with a medical expert that specialises in your injuries. They will write a report on how seriously injured you are, and what you will need to help you recover.
At this stage, we’ll also determine if we can pursue your claim under a No Win No Fee* agreement, which will make sure you don't have to pay anything if the claim is unsuccessful.
Stage Two: Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is one of the most important aspects of dealing with any road traffic accident claim, including those involving passengers, and we consider accessing medical care and support to be as important as financial compensation.
Rehabilitation is essential for helping you and your family deal with the difficulties caused by your injuries. Our support and rehabilitation coordinators will work with you from the beginning of the claims process to understand what support you need to help you return to work and live independently.
We work tirelessly to ensure that you receive all of the support you need following an accident. It's a commitment that has seen us win the Claimant Solicitor of the Year award at the Post Magazine's Rehabilitation First Awards seven times.
For more information on how we can help you gain access to rehabilitation support, please visit our rehabilitation page.
Stage Three: Compensation
We’ll work out how much compensation you’ll need for your injuries, losses, and for any medical care and support you need both now and in the future. The compensation amount will either be agreed with your opponent as a settlement, or determined through court proceedings.
The majority of cases settle out of court, so pursuing court proceedings is rare. However, if you do have to go to court, our team will be there to support you.
Stage Four: Conclusion
Your claim is concluded, and you’re awarded compensation if you’re successful. If we agreed to make your claim under a No Win No Fee* arrangement, then you won't need to pay anything if you lose the case, while your opponent will pay most of our fees if you win.
