Making a Car Accident Claim with Winns

Winns help thousands of people make car accident claims each year

It can be difficult to know how to get started with a car accident claim. The chances are that you will be worried about your daily travel needs, the state of your vehicle, or an injury that has resulted from the crash, and it can all be more than a little overwhelming.

At Winn Solicitors however, we are experts at not only giving car accident claim advice, but also ensuring that you get all of the help you need to get you back on your feet and back on the road. With a call to Winns, you can rest assured that everything is taken care of, and that a specialist claim handler is working to reach a settlement on your behalf.

5 things you should do after a car accident

Following a collision, there are certain actions that will help you to make a car accident claim when the time is right.

• First of all, it is advised that you notify the police, especially if the other party refuses to provide their name, address and insurance details or flees the scene. It is an offence to leave the scene of an accident without exchanging the relevant details, but the police can also help to survey the scene objectively and determine which party is at fault.
• If the other party involved in your collision is willing to follow established procedure, however, without the need for law enforcement, then you should be sure to swap and share your insurance details, name and address.
• Take photographs to document the scene.
• Gather any witness testimonies from other passengers or onlookers, along with their contact details. These can make settling car accident claims much quicker and simpler.
• Call Winns before your insurer. That way we can get to work on helping you much faster.

If you would like more information on what to do immediately following a road traffic accident, Northumbria Police and the RAC have excellent online resources.

Why you should contact Winns when it comes to making a car accident claim

After details have been exchanged, your next step should be to contact the team at Winns. If you speak to us before your insurer, our one stop shop approach will get you all of the help you need in no time.

After first contact has been made regarding a car accident claim, a member of our team will be on hand to keep you updated as your claim progresses.

Here's why you should make a car accident claim with Winns:

• Expert car accident claim advice
• Access to necessary medical treatment, such as physiotherapy
• A like-for-like hire vehicle while yours is being replaced. Why settle for a vehicle that's less than perfect for your needs?
• We can secure the compensation that you deserve, something we've proved for thousands of customers.

Made the initial call very easy and I understand what’s going to happen now. I rang to start with and had no idea what I needed to do but [Winns] certainly helped me with this. Thank you!

Sam Robinson

Without a doubt recommend this company and especially Matthew, he was always keeping me updated, talking me through what was happening three or four times until I understood. Very friendly staff, and excellent customer service. If I couldn’t get hold of anyone I always had a call back within five minutes. Thank you again for everything.

Courtney Evans

There are between 100,000 and 200,000 car accidents in the UK each year, but, when you make a claim Winns, you're more than a number. It's our priority to get you back on your feet, and on the road, as quickly as possible.

Call Winns today to get the help you need following a car accident, on 0800 988 6288, or speak to an advisor using live chat.

Types of accident claims we can help with

• Whiplash Accident Claims
• Vehicle Repair Claims
• Passenger Accident Claims
• Taxi Driver Accident Claims
• Young Driver Accident Claims

How we work with you to get you back on the road

Winns handles thousands of cases on behalf of our clients each and every year. Once you've spoken to our team they will take care of everything, from organising repairs and a hire vehicle, to arranging medical treatment and pursuing your compensation. You don't have to worry or stress about doing anything. What's more we'll keep you up to date with what's happening at every step of the way.

I was involved in an accident at 13.40 and by 16.30 I had a replacement car and mine taken away for repair. Jake who helped me with my claim was first class and helped everything go smoothly.

Norman Polley

I was involved in a non-fault road traffic accident back in December 2017 which resulted in my vehicle being written off. I suffered injuries to my neck and back, which Winn Solicitors helped with by referring me to a physiotherapist straight away. Katherine, who has been an absolute star from start to finish, her communication is excellent and nothing is ever too much to ask. She is a credit to the Winn team. At one point I was quite slow with my response time however, Katherine was very understanding and helped throughout every stage of the claim.
The team were always quick to respond to any questions or enquiries I had. If Katherine was busy at the time, I would always receive a response back by the end of the day for an update. Thank you to Katherine and the team. You all made a difficult time a lot easier and I couldn’t recommend this company enough.

Laura Wakeman

Get in touch with Winns to make a car accident claim. Our team can be reached either on the phone or by using live chat today.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope that you now have a better idea of how to proceed with making a car accident claim after an incident. To give you a little bit of extra information, we've answered some of the more frequently asked questions that we come across when it comes to giving car accident claim advice. If there is anything else that you wish to know, then don't hesitate to contact the Winns team via live chat.

What is classed as a car accident?

Put simply, a car accident is any incident involving a car. You may be the driver, a pedestrian, a cyclist, motorcyclist, or any other type of road user, and if you or your vehicle have been affected you can make a car accident claim with Winns. Click the links to find out more in each individual section.

What should I do after a car accident?

After a car accident, you should immediately make sure that yourself and any passengers or other parties are safe and free from injury. Once you have done that, and have contacted any necessary emergency services, you should exchange insurance details and personal information with other motorists involved.

Can passengers claim compensation?

Yes, passengers are entitled to make a car accident claim for compensation if they have suffered an injury as the result of the collision, such as whiplash. You can find out more about making a passenger claim here.

Do I need to contact my insurer after an accident?

In 2016 alone 181,384 people suffered injuries as the result of a car accident. While that number fell to 170,993 in 2017, a huge amount of road users are suffering due to accidents that are often not their fault. While you do need to notify your insurer, calling us at Winns first guarantees that you receive any long-term medical attention or car repairs, and a like-for-like vehicle ASAP.

Should I involve the police after a collision?

The short, easy answer is yes. If you have been involved in an accident on the road then you should call the police straight away. As well as establishing any illegality, the police officers attending will make a detailed report of the causes and effects of the collision. A police report such as this can be vital when it comes to making a successful claim for compensation from an at-fault party.

What is the average settlement for a car accident?

The settlement amount in car accident claims differs from case to case. A number of different criteria are taken into account, such as the cost of repairs, the medical impact and severity of injuries, and time taken off work amongst others.

How long after a car accident can I claim?

There are strict guidelines in the UK around when a claim can be made. You must start proceedings either three years after the accident, or three years after you discover an injury that has resulted from it.

How long does a car accident settlement take?

The same factors that decide the amount of compensation you are due can also determine how long it takes to reach a settlement. Car accident claims tend to conclude faster than other types of legal action, as they are usually processed through the Claims Portal. This is a streamlining tool which was set up via the Ministry of Justice, and cases are usually settled within four to nine months. Your Winns claim handler will be able to provide further information on this process.

Will my car accident claim be no win, no fee?

Winns operates on a no win, no fee basis, so you don't have to worry about being out of pocket when making a claim. If you are unsuccessful in your claim, then you won't have to pay us a penny, and if you do receive a settlement then we will take a percentage (in line with the industry standard) to cover our fees.

Can I make a claim following an accident if my insurance is Third Party Only, or Third Party, Fire & Theft?

If you have had an accident in a car in which you have third-party cover, you can make a claim. You will still be entitled to receive compensation from the at-fault party if your claim is successful.

I was hit by an uninsured driver, can I claim?

If you have been hit by an uninsured driver it is still possible to make an injury claim following a car accident. Rather than take an amount of compensation from the at-fault party's insurance, as we usually would, we will instead secure a payout through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB). Specifically established to benefit the victims of road accidents involving uninsured drivers, The MIB has the backing of all of the UK's major insurers.

Can I claim out of pocket expenses?

If you have had to pay any costs as the result of your accident, such as transport costs, medical and equipment bills etc., then you can claim for out of pocket expenses as part of your settlement. Be sure to keep records and receipts of any relevant spending after the accident, as you can present these for consideration as part of your claim.

Excellent service from start to finish, claim all settled very quickly and efficiently, Michael Stuart helped me no end, thanks guys would definitely use them again.

Sam Tushingham

Now you know how Winns can help you with your claim, get in touch today either on the phone or by using our live chat tool.