Car Accident Compensation Calculator
Estimate the value of your UK personal injury claim after a road traffic accident. Calculate general damages, special damages, and your likely settlement range in seconds.
Personal Injury Claim Estimator
Road Traffic Accident · UK Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) Ranges
Select your most significant injury from the accident.
Minor: full recovery within 2 years. Moderate: longer recovery or ongoing symptoms. Serious: permanent or severe impact.
How long until you are expected to make a full or substantial recovery. Enter 0 if recovery is uncertain or ongoing.
Total net income lost due to time off work. Include past and estimated future losses.
Physiotherapy, private GP appointments, medication, mobility aids, etc.
Travel to medical appointments, care provided by family members, adaptations needed.
Cost to repair or replace your vehicle if not already settled separately by insurers.
If you were partly at fault (e.g. not wearing a seatbelt, speeding), enter your estimated percentage of fault. Enter 0 if the other party was fully liable.
Compensation Estimate
Indicative UK personal injury claim range
Complete the form and click Estimate My Compensation to see your indicative claim range based on UK Judicial College Guidelines.
UK Personal Injury Awards by Injury Type
Indicative general damages ranges based on the Judicial College Guidelines (16th Edition). These figures represent pain, suffering, and loss of amenity only and do not include special damages (lost earnings, medical costs, etc.).
| Injury Type | Severity | JCG Range (Low) | JCG Range (High) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiplash (OIC tariff) | Minor | £240 | £4,215 | Up to 2 years, OIC portal |
| Whiplash / Neck | Moderate | £4,215 | £23,460 | Longer recovery, symptoms beyond 2 yrs |
| Neck / Cervical | Serious | £23,460 | £148,330 | Severe disc damage, nerve involvement |
| Back Injury | Minor | £2,450 | £12,510 | Full recovery within a few years |
| Back Injury | Moderate | £12,510 | £38,780 | Residual disability or longer treatment |
| Back Injury | Serious | £38,780 | £160,980 | Severe damage, possible paralysis |
| Shoulder Injury | Minor | £4,150 | £12,770 | Full recovery within 2 years |
| Shoulder Injury | Moderate | £12,770 | £23,430 | Longer recovery, some ongoing symptoms |
| Knee Injury | Minor | £4,630 | £14,840 | Soft tissue, full or near full recovery |
| Knee Injury | Moderate | £14,840 | £42,130 | Disruption to cartilage/ligament |
| PTSD / Psychological | Minor | £4,820 | £20,150 | Full recovery expected |
| PTSD / Psychological | Moderate | £20,150 | £54,830 | Ongoing but manageable symptoms |
| Head / Brain Injury | Moderate | £43,060 | £219,070 | Dependent on cognitive impact |
| Head / Brain Injury | Serious | £219,070 | £379,100 | Severe disability, loss of function |
Car Accident Compensation FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about UK road traffic accident claims and personal injury compensation.
The amount of compensation you can claim for a car accident in the UK depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and any financial losses you have suffered. Minor whiplash injuries typically settle between £240 and £4,215 under the Official Injury Claim portal. More serious injuries, including broken bones, psychological trauma, or long-term disabilities, can result in settlements of tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.
General damages compensate you for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity — the physical and emotional impact of your injuries. Special damages cover financial losses that can be precisely calculated, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, travel costs to appointments, care costs, and vehicle repair or replacement costs. Both are included in a full personal injury claim.
In the UK, you generally have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury compensation claim. This is known as the limitation period under the Limitation Act 1980. There are exceptions: if the injured person is under 18, the 3-year period does not begin until they turn 18. If the claimant lacks mental capacity, no time limit applies while that incapacity continues.
The Whiplash Reform Programme, introduced in May 2021, changed how soft tissue injury claims from road traffic accidents are handled. Claims for whiplash injuries with a prognosis of up to 2 years must now be made through the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal. The government introduced a fixed tariff for these injuries, ranging from £240 for injuries lasting up to 3 months to £4,215 for injuries lasting up to 2 years.
For minor whiplash claims under the Official Injury Claim portal, you can represent yourself without a solicitor. However, for more complex injuries, disputes about liability, or higher-value claims, it is strongly advisable to instruct a specialist personal injury solicitor. Many operate on a No Win No Fee (Conditional Fee Agreement) basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your claim succeeds.
Yes, you can still claim compensation even if the accident was partly your fault, under the principle of contributory negligence. Your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For example, if you are found 25% at fault and your claim is valued at £10,000, you would receive £7,500. A solicitor can help you assess and argue your degree of fault.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) is a publication used by UK courts and solicitors to value general damages (pain, suffering, and loss of amenity) in personal injury claims. It provides bracket ranges for different injury types and severities. Judges, insurers, and solicitors use these figures as a reference point when negotiating or deciding compensation amounts. This calculator uses JCG-based ranges to provide indicative estimates.
The time to settle a car accident claim in the UK varies widely. Simple whiplash claims through the OIC portal can settle in a few weeks to months. Claims involving more serious injuries, disputed liability, or ongoing medical treatment may take 1 to 3 years to conclude. Settling too early before you have fully recovered is inadvisable, as you may not know the full long-term impact of your injuries.