Report the crash, get medical evidence, and choose the right claims route. For most minor injury RTAs in England & Wales, start with National Claims—we’ll manage your case process when your injury is valued up to £5,000 (and the overall claim up to £10,000). For higher-value injuries, complex losses, or vulnerable road users, instruct a solicitor.
First steps after the crash
- Swap details and report if needed. Exchange names, addresses and reg numbers. If you couldn’t exchange at the scene, or anyone was injured, report to the police within 24 hours.
- Tell your insurer promptly, even if you weren’t at fault.
- Get medical evidence. The whiplash rules ban settlements without a medical report; reports are sourced via MedCo for low-value RTAs.
- Keep proof of all losses. Save repair invoices, hire bills, travel costs, prescription receipts, and wage slips.
Which claims route applies to you?
- OIC (most minor RTAs in England & Wales). Use OIC when your injury is ≤ £5,000 and your total claim ≤ £10,000. You can claim with or without a representative.
- Not OIC? Use the standard RTA Protocol/Pre-Action Protocol. This applies where injury value is over £5,000, overall damages exceed £10,000, or the case is otherwise outside small claims.
- Important exceptions to the £5,000 small-claims limit. Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders, mobility scooter users), children, protected parties, and some foreign-vehicle cases are excluded from the higher limit. These do not go through the RTA Small Claims track.
- Scotland & Northern Ireland. Whiplash tariff/OIC do not apply. You’ll use local procedures, but the general 3-year time limit remains typical (different rules and exceptions may apply).
What can you claim? (Heads of loss)
- Injury damages:
- Whiplash tariff (E&W only). Fixed amounts by duration (see below). Courts can add up to 20% in exceptional cases.
- Non-tariff injuries (fractures, scarring, PTSD, etc.) are valued in the usual way (medical evidence + case law/Judicial College Guidelines).
- Financial losses: vehicle repair or total loss, credit hire or loss of use, policy excess, lost earnings, medical treatment, travel, care and assistance, damaged items.
- Interim payments (serious cases): once liability is admitted or the CPR tests are met, the court can order an interim payment to help with expenses.
Whiplash compensation: current tariff (England & Wales)
There are two tables depending on accident date:
- Accidents 31 May 2021 – 30 May 2025 (Table 1).
Example figures: £240 (≤3 months; whiplash only) up to £4,345 (18–24 months; with minor psychological injury). - Accidents on/after 31 May 2025 (Table 2, ~15% higher).
Example figures: £275 (≤3 months; whiplash only) up to £4,975 (18–24 months; with minor psychological injury).
These tariffs apply only to E&W whiplash-type soft-tissue injuries lasting up to two years; other injuries are valued separately.
Quick compensation estimates (illustrative)
- Example A: 4-month whiplash, accident in June 2025.
Tariff for 3–6 months: £565 (whiplash only) or £595 (with minor psychological injury). Add documented expenses (say £320 physio + £400 lost earnings) → £1,285–£1,315 total before any uplift. - Example B: Wrist fracture + 2-month whiplash.
Whiplash tariff (≤3 months): £275–£300 (post-May 2025). The fracture is non-tariff and assessed on medical evidence; add loss of earnings, care, and treatment as supported by proof.
Note: Figures are guides only. Your medical report, prognosis, and evidence of loss drive the outcome.
Uninsured or hit-and-run driver?
You can claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) for injury and certain property damage where the at-fault driver is uninsured or untraced.
Deadlines
In England & Wales, most adults have 3 years from the accident (or from “date of knowledge”) to start court proceedings. Different limits apply to children and some cross-border or air/sea cases. Don’t cut it fine.
How to maximise your payout (practical tips)
- Get an early, independent medical report and follow treatment.
- Log every expense with receipts; keep a hire diary if using credit hire.
- Challenge low offers; the OIC and Protocols set out structured negotiation stages.
- Seek an interim payment if liability is sorted and cashflow is tight.
- Use the right track and cite the vulnerable road user exception if it applies.
People also ask
Q1. Do I have to use the OIC portal myself?
No. You can appoint a representative to run your OIC claim, though low-value small-claims rules limit recoverable legal costs.
Q2. What if my injuries are valued over £5,000?
Then the case should leave OIC and proceed under the standard RTA Protocol with fixed costs rules, or the general Pre-Action Protocol if appropriate.
Q3. Are whiplash payouts the same after 31 May 2025?
They’re higher. Table 2 increased each band by around 15% for accidents on/after 31 May 2025.
Q4. Do I need to report every accident to the police?
Not always. But you must report within 24 hours if you didn’t exchange details, or if someone was injured.
How National Claims can help
We make the process straightforward. We’ll:
- Assess your case and choose the correct route.
- Arrange medical evidence and gather your loss schedule.
- Pursue interim payments where possible and negotiate firmly against low offers.
- Connect you with experienced, regulated solicitors who focus on road traffic accident compensation.
Ready to start?
Start your compensation claim today. Tell us a few details about your accident and injuries. We’ll confirm your likely route, your whiplash tariff band, and the extra losses you can recover—then connect you with a solicitor to push for the maximum, evidence-backed settlement.
We’re proud of our excellent customer reviews
We thrive on delivering exceptional service and ensuring our clients’ satisfaction. Don’t just take our word for it. Check out some of our independent reviews to see what our clients have to say.
Excellent
This firm is excellent, they sorted out my car pay out and injury claim very fast, they always communicate with you all the time.
My accident case was dealt with confidence and with great result of the outcome, especially James kept me informed all the time.
I was very impressed at the way my inquiry was treated. I was listened to attentively and everything I needed to know was explained to me.
