| Since the late 1990's solicitors in the UK have | | | | The date of the accident must be on or after |
| been able to handle car accident injury claims | | | | April 30th 2010. If your accident was before this |
| under the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) | | | | date you can still make a claim but it will not |
| system. The CFA system was designed to widen | | | | benefit from the fast track route. |
| public access to professional legal representation, | | | | The total claim value must not exceed £10,000, |
| and means Solicitors can take cases on a "No Win | | | | including any claim for loss of earnings, and costs |
| No Fee" basis. If you win your case then your | | | | related to care and rehabilitation. |
| Solicitors fees are paid by the defending party | | | | The £10,000 overall value does not include |
| (usually the insurers of the person who caused | | | | vehicle damage and related costs for example the |
| the accident). | | | | cost of repairing your vehicle and a hire car whilst |
| As of April 6th 2010 a new "fast track" car | | | | your vehicle was off the road. |
| accident injury claim compensation system has | | | | Within the £10,000 overall value the proportion |
| been introduced in the UK. The new system is | | | | of the claim related to personal injury, e.g. the |
| designed to make it faster, cheaper and more | | | | compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of |
| simple to make a personal injury claim if you have | | | | amenities must exceed £1,000. As a guide minor |
| been the victim of a road traffic accident, whilst | | | | neck and shoulder injuries can be valued at up to |
| at the same time limiting the amount of costs | | | | £2,000, with minor back injuries up to £4,000. |
| that solicitors and claim managers can recover | | | | Neither party can be subject to the Motor |
| from the opposing side for handling your claim. | | | | Insurers Bureau's un-traced driver status, both |
| Claimants will now receive full settlement in a | | | | parties must have a valid insurance policy. If the |
| matter of weeks, when previously their claim | | | | person responsible for the accident was not |
| may have taken months and in some cases | | | | insured then you may still be able to make a claim |
| years to settle, there is also the option of getting | | | | but not under the new fast track regime. |
| part settlement of up to £1,000 before the | | | | There must not have been a fatality as a result |
| claim has completed. | | | | of the accident. |
| Does your car accident injury claim qualify? | | | | Neither party can be a bankrupt, if you or the |
| You must have been injured as a result of a road | | | | person you are claiming against is a bankrupt then |
| traffic accident that was not your fault e.g. You | | | | you may still have a claim but you can not use |
| have been involved in a car crash where another | | | | the fast track system to pursue your claim. |
| drivers insurance company accepted liability. If | | | | You must use a solicitor familiar with the new |
| there was any element of "contributory | | | | Road Traffic Accident Protocol as they will be |
| negligence" i.e. you were partly to blame for the | | | | bound by certain obligations and time constraints if |
| accident, then your claim will not qualify for the | | | | the claim is to qualify for completion under the |
| fast track route, but you may still be able to | | | | fast track regime, and in some circumstances if |
| make a claim but the amount you are ultimately | | | | your solicitor fails to abide by the guidelines the |
| awarded will be reduced by the amount you were | | | | other side could claim costs against you. The Law |
| at fault. However if your only negligence was not | | | | societies website has a find a solicitor service |
| wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident | | | | where you can search for a local solicitor who |
| your claim may still qualify for the fast track | | | | specialises in this form of work. |
| system. | | | | |