Vehicle Passenger Claims

Yes. You do not need to know exactly who was at fault before making an enquiry. If you were injured as a passenger, there may still be a claim even if liability is disputed at first. A solicitor can help investigate what happened, obtain evidence, and identify whether the claim should be made against the driver of your vehicle, another driver, or more than one insurer.

Premier Legal Assist is a FCA regulated claims management firm that works with experienced solicitors specialising in road traffic accident claims, including passenger injury claims.

To begin the process, you would fill in a short online form with details of the accident and the injuries you suffered. Once your enquiry has been reviewed, you will be contacted for a free, no-obligation consultation.

If your case is eligible, you may be referred to one of our panel solicitors who specialises in road traffic accident claims. If they agree to act for you, they will deal with the legal process, gather evidence, contact the relevant insurer or insurers, and seek compensation on a no win, no fee basis.

For personal injury claims, you do not need to use a representative to make a claim for low-level personal injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. You can claim through the online Official Injury Claims portal yourself, for free. If your injury damages exceed the small claims limit, we recommend you use a specialist legal service.

Compensation varies from case to case and there is no fixed figure that applies to every claim. The amount usually depends on how serious the injury or trauma is, how long recovery takes, and how much it has affected your everyday life and ability to work.

Compensation is generally divided into two parts. General Damages relate to your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Special Damages relate to financial losses caused by the incident, such as lost earnings, medical expenses, counselling costs, rehabilitation costs and care needs.

Some claims may be worth a few thousand pounds, while more serious or long-term injuries can lead to much higher awards. If your claim is eligible, your solicitor will usually rely on medical and financial evidence to assess what your case may be worth.

Passenger injuries can vary depending on the type of collision, the speed involved, whether a seat belt was worn, and where the passenger was sitting. Examples include:

• Whiplash injuries 
• Fractures 
• Head injuries 
• Back and neck injuries 
• Soft tissue damage 
• Cuts and bruising
• Chest injuries 
• Psychological injuries including anxiety, PTSD and depression

In some cases, injuries that first appear minor can lead to ongoing pain, reduced confidence when travelling, or a longer recovery than expected. If a solicitor takes on your case, they will normally arrange medical evidence to assess the full impact of your injuries.

Potentially, yes. If the driver of the vehicle you were travelling in caused the accident, your claim would usually be made against their motor insurer rather than against them personally. That is one reason why passenger claims are often brought even where the driver is known to the injured person.

You may still be able to claim. Compensation may be available through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau if you were injured because of an uninsured driver or a hit and run driver. 

Potentially, yes. Passengers aged 14 and over must wear a seat belt if one is fitted. If a passenger was not wearing a seat belt and that made their injuries worse, compensation may be reduced rather than refused altogether. The road traffic personal injury protocol also specifically notes seat belt issues when assessing injury claims. 

In most cases, an adult has three years from the date of the road traffic accident to begin a personal injury claim. Where the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the usual three-year limitation period generally starts from their 18th birthday.

Useful evidence will vary from case to case, but often includes:

• Photographs of the accident scene or vehicles
• Medical records and reports
• Witness details and statements
• Insurance details
• Dashcam or CCTV footage
• Police reference details where relevant
• Proof of financial losses such as payslips, receipts and travel costs

A solicitor acting for you would normally help obtain the evidence needed to support both liability and the value of your claim.

Not always. The Official Injury Claim service is for certain low-value road traffic accident injury claims in England and Wales, generally where the injury claim itself is valued at £5,000 or less. More serious cases, more complex claims, and claims outside that process may be handled differently. 

Usually not. Most road traffic accident claims are settled without a full Court hearing, often through negotiations between the injured person’s solicitor and the relevant insurer.

If liability or the value of the claim cannot be agreed, Court proceedings may become necessary. If that happens, the Court will consider the available evidence, decide who was responsible and, where appropriate, determine the compensation payable. A solicitor acting for you will manage that process on your behalf.

In many cases, no. Our panel solicitors commonly deal with eligible road traffic accident claims on a no win, no fee basis. That means there is usually nothing to pay at the outset, and if the claim fails, you would not usually be responsible for your solicitor’s fees.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

You may be charged cancellation fees by the legal service we introduce you to if you cancel your agreement after any applicable cooling-off period and before the claim is concluded.