Serious Injury · Road Traffic Accidents
Serious Road Traffic Accident Claims
Specialist advice for those who have suffered serious injuries in road traffic accidents.
Part of our wider Serious Injury Claims services
No obligation — speak to us first.
Road traffic accidents can cause catastrophic, life-changing injuries
At PDA Law, we act for clients who have suffered serious injuries in road traffic accidents — including motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and vehicle occupants. These are not minor incidents. We handle claims where the injury has fundamentally altered a person's life: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and injuries requiring long-term care and rehabilitation.
We focus on complex, multi-track claims where the injury has had a significant and lasting impact. We do not handle whiplash or minor injury claims.
Who We Act For
- Motorcyclists who have suffered serious injuries in road accidents
- Cyclists involved in serious collisions with vehicles
- Pedestrians struck by vehicles causing serious injury
- Vehicle occupants injured in serious road traffic accidents
- Families of those fatally injured in road traffic accidents
Types of Serious Injury in Road Accidents
Road traffic accidents can cause a wide range of serious injuries. The most common serious injuries we deal with include:
Why Serious RTA Claims Are Complex
Serious road traffic accident claims often involve complex issues including:
- Establishing liability where multiple parties are involved
- Dealing with uninsured or untraced drivers through the MIB
- Quantifying long-term care, rehabilitation and loss of earnings
- Managing claims involving serious brain or spinal injury
- Coordinating with medical experts and rehabilitation specialists
Does Your Claim Qualify?
We focus on serious, multi-track road traffic accident claims. If you are unsure whether your case falls within our practice, speak to us. We will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Check if your injury qualifies as seriousJudicial College Guidelines
What You May Be Entitled To
We understand that at this stage, understanding the potential value of your claim is important — both for peace of mind and for planning ahead. The figures below are general damages guidelines from the Judicial College Guidelines (16th Edition), the reference used by courts and insurers across England and Wales.
These figures cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. In serious injury cases, the total value of a claim is often substantially higher once special damages are included — past and future care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, specialist equipment and home adaptations.
Every case is different. Jonathan Cloudsdale will give you a realistic, honest assessment of what your specific claim may be worth — at no cost and with no obligation.
Road Traffic Accidents — Orthopaedic Injuries
Severe leg injury (most serious, short of amputation)
£117,460 – £165,860
Permanent disability; significant restriction of function
Severe leg injury (very serious)
£66,920 – £109,290
Very serious injury with lasting consequences
Severe leg injury (serious)
£47,840 – £66,920
Serious fractures with significant ongoing disability
Moderate leg injury
£33,880 – £47,840
Significant fractures with incomplete recovery
Severe knee injury (i) — arthroplasty needed
£85,100 – £117,410
Disruption of joint requiring knee replacement
Severe knee injury (ii) — fracture into joint
£63,610 – £85,100
Leg fracture extending into knee joint
Moderate knee injury
£18,110 – £31,960
Dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscal damage
Severe neck injury (i) — associated paraplegia
Around £181,020
Associated with incomplete paraplegia
Severe neck injury (ii) — fractures/brachial plexus
£80,240 – £159,770
Serious fractures with brachial plexus damage
Moderate neck injury (i) — spinal fusion
£30,500 – £46,970
Fractures or dislocations requiring spinal fusion
Severe shoulder injury (brachial plexus)
£23,430 – £58,610
Brachial plexus damage with significant disability
Serious shoulder injury (dislocation/rotator cuff)
£15,580 – £23,430
Dislocation or rotator cuff damage
Severe ankle injury
£61,090 – £85,070
Very severe ankle injury with lasting disability
Serious ankle injury
£38,210 – £61,090
Serious ankle injury with significant ongoing symptoms
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Severe leg injury (most serious, short of amputation) | £117,460 – £165,860 | Permanent disability; significant restriction of function |
| Severe leg injury (very serious) | £66,920 – £109,290 | Very serious injury with lasting consequences |
| Severe leg injury (serious) | £47,840 – £66,920 | Serious fractures with significant ongoing disability |
| Moderate leg injury | £33,880 – £47,840 | Significant fractures with incomplete recovery |
| Severe knee injury (i) — arthroplasty needed | £85,100 – £117,410 | Disruption of joint requiring knee replacement |
| Severe knee injury (ii) — fracture into joint | £63,610 – £85,100 | Leg fracture extending into knee joint |
| Moderate knee injury | £18,110 – £31,960 | Dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscal damage |
| Severe neck injury (i) — associated paraplegia | Around £181,020 | Associated with incomplete paraplegia |
| Severe neck injury (ii) — fractures/brachial plexus | £80,240 – £159,770 | Serious fractures with brachial plexus damage |
| Moderate neck injury (i) — spinal fusion | £30,500 – £46,970 | Fractures or dislocations requiring spinal fusion |
| Severe shoulder injury (brachial plexus) | £23,430 – £58,610 | Brachial plexus damage with significant disability |
| Serious shoulder injury (dislocation/rotator cuff) | £15,580 – £23,430 | Dislocation or rotator cuff damage |
| Severe ankle injury | £61,090 – £85,070 | Very severe ankle injury with lasting disability |
| Serious ankle injury | £38,210 – £61,090 | Serious ankle injury with significant ongoing symptoms |
Your claim may be worth significantly more than the figures above.
Special damages — care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, equipment and home adaptations — are calculated individually and often substantially exceed the general damages figure. Speak to Jonathan Cloudsdale for a realistic, confidential assessment.
Source: Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 16th Edition. Figures are for general damages only and are subject to judicial discretion. Correct as at publication date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Compensation
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
“I suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures when a lorry pulled out without warning. PDA Law handled every aspect of my serious injury claim — securing interim payments for my rehabilitation and ultimately a settlement that reflected the full, life-changing impact of my injuries.”
Sarah L.
Serious RTA claimant — traumatic brain injury, Chester
Testimonials reflect individual client experiences. Results may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
Serious Injury — By Injury Type
Brain Injury Claims
Traumatic and acquired brain injury compensation claims
Spinal Injury Claims
Spinal cord and vertebral injury compensation claims
Amputation Claims
Traumatic and surgical amputation injury claims
Fatal Accident Claims
Claims for families following a fatal accident
Children's Serious Injury
Serious injury claims on behalf of children
Related Serious Injury Claims
Your Personal Injury Journey
Related Claims — What Else You May Need
Your Specialist Solicitor
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Claims & Personal Injury
Jonathan has over 10 years' specialist experience in complex personal injury, military claims, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. He has achieved multiple six-figure settlements in high-value cases.
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