UKI was injured in a road accident. What damages can I claim?
You can claim compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings, medical expenses, care costs, and damage to property — but you must start your claim within 3 years of the accident.
What the Law Says
The right to claim damages after a road accident in the UK is governed by common law principles of negligence and statutory time limits. The key rule limiting when you can bring a claim is found in the Limitation Act 1980.
If you’re injured in a road accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation (‘damages’) to cover both financial losses and non-financial harm.
Damages fall into two main categories: ‘general damages’ (for pain, suffering and loss of amenity) and ‘special damages’ (for quantifiable financial losses like lost income, medical treatment, travel costs, vehicle repairs, and care costs).
The law requires you to start court proceedings — or settle your claim — within strict time limits. Missing this deadline usually prevents you from claiming at all.
Statutory Text11. Personal injuries. (1) An action founded on tort shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued. (2) Subject to subsection (3) below, an action founded on tort and brought by a person who was under a disability at the time when the cause of action accrued shall not be brought after the expiration of three years from the date on which the person ceased to be under a disability or died, whichever first occurs. (3) An action founded on tort and brought by a person who was under a disability at the time when the cause of action accrued shall not be brought after the expiration of three years from the date on which the cause of action accrued if that date is later than the date referred to in subsection (2) above. (4) In this section “disability” means— (a) minority; or (b) unsoundness of mind;
— Limitation Act 1980, s. 11 — Personal injuries
What to Do
Seek medical attention and keep records of all injuries, treatments, and expenses.
Gather evidence (e.g., photos, witness details, police report, dashcam footage).
Contact a specialist personal injury solicitor as soon as possible — ideally within weeks of the accident.
Begin your claim before the 3-year deadline from the date of the accident (or from your 18th birthday if you were under 18 at the time).
Negotiate settlement or, if necessary, issue court proceedings before the limitation period expires.
Sources
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South KoreaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.