Frequently Asked Questions

RTA Law LLP was founded in 2011 to provide specialist legal services for vulnerable road users.

Our goal is to provide our clients with first-class legal representation to secure the best possible outcome. We guide our clients through the unknown…

RTA Law has built a reputation in supporting clients with complex and life-altering injuries. We have a wealth of knowledge in dealing with injuries including brain and spinal injuries, amputations and polytrauma.

Watch our videos and read our client stories to see how we’ve helped our clients.

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You generally have 3 years from the accident date to make a claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule if the injury you sustained was severe or you were unable to seek medical advice during your recovery.

If you think you have a claim then pick up the phone and speak with one of our friendly lawyers for some free advice.

You are entitled to claim for all reasonable losses such as loss of income, expenses (e.g. medical expenses), cost of replacement of any protective clothing. You are entitled to claim for your injury and the amount that can be claimed depends on the extent of the injury. For example, if you are left with permanent difficulties or run the risk of developing arthritis, then the value of your claim is higher than a claim for an injury from which you are expected to make a full recovery.

The starting off point is a medical report from an Orthopaedic Surgeon. That report will detail the injury and expected outcome. Lawyers then look at awards made in other cases with similar injuries. A very useful guide is the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines For The Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases which is regularly updated. There is a section on Leg Injuries. For example, a moderate injury to the leg including complicated or multiple fractures will attract an award in the region of £22,440 to £31,680.

The value or “price” of the injury cannot be ascertained until a medical report is available and the outcome is known but a good lawyer will guide you through this process and will explain the valuation to you.

If you have suffered injury in a road traffic accident due to the fault of another, you may have a personal injury compensation claim. You, or a loved one, must have been injured due to the negligence of another.

The type and cause of the injury may vary greatly depending on the circumstances of your case. RTA Law will assess your prospects of success at the outset and will provide you with clear options as to how best recover the maximum monetary value for your claim for accident compensation in the shortest possible time.

Once you’ve given RTA Law the go-ahead to proceed with your claim, we will consider the evidence and fully investigate your case. Photographs, eyewitness accounts and police reports will be taken into consideration and we might also ask you to undergo a medical examination so we can determine the extent of any injuries or long term damage you may have sustained in the accident.

Claim Submission and Valuation Process
At the outset, we will submit a claim to the party at fault or their insurance company detailing your case against them and requesting they admit liability.

If liability is admitted, we will value your claim based on the injuries sustained, damage to your vehicle and any equipment, any expenses incurred and loss of income. We will submit our valuation of your claim to your opponent’s insurance company. We will invite them to make an offer based on our assessment of your claim.

Offer Evaluation and Court Proceedings
When an offer is received, we will provide you with clear advice on whether to accept or reject the offer. If we feel the offer is too low, we will recommend that you raise proceedings in court, at no cost or risk to you.

If liability is disputed and we consider you have at least a 50% prospect of success, we will raise proceedings in court which, thanks to our ‘no win no fee’ policy, would be undertaken at no cost or risk to you.

Yes. No matter what stage your accident compensation claim is at, it’s always possible to change Solicitors – and you don’t need to remain with the solicitor appointed by your insurance company. Changing Solicitors is easier than you think. It is a straightforward process.

There are many reasons for considering changing Solicitors, but perhaps the most common is a breakdown in communication. Perhaps, they’re not returning your calls or keeping you up to date with developments concerning your case? Perhaps, you feel their lack of knowledge of road traffic accidents is hampering your case? Maybe, you’re concerned about their level of experience in handling accident cases?

Take the following steps if you’re able to:

* Get yourself to a place of safety.

* Move away from a damaged vehicle.

* Call the emergency services with an exact location. We highly recommend that you download the ‘What3Words’ app onto your phone.

* Note other vehicle registration numbers.

* Note details of any witnesses.

* Take plenty of photographs.

* Obtain Police Officer names and stations.

* Contact RTA Law as soon as possible (0333 555 7781).

* DO NOT let your Insurer appoint a Solicitor.

Yes. Tragically, pedestrians can fall victim to hit and run accidents where the driver has left the scene. Always report accidents when you have been injured to the Police immediately – even if you don’t have details of the offending vehicle.

In cases involving hit and run, the injured pedestrian can still seek compensation even although the offending motorist is never traced. The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) Untraced Drivers Agreement allows innocent victims of accidents to seek an award for compensation. Once the application is received, the MIB will investigate the claim and assess compensation. We can assist you in submitting the application and guide you through the entire process, from start to finish.

With hit and run cases, time limits apply. For personal injury cases, the claim must be submitted within three years and a claim for damage to personal property within 9 months. If the claim relates to personal injury and damage to property, the time limits apply to each part of the claim separately.

For hit and run cases, you must have reported the incident to the police within 14 days. The crime reference number will also be required. In the case of a property damage, you must have reported the accident within 5 days to the Police.

Currently, you can buy one but you can’t ride it on a UK public road, cycle lane or pavement. Anyone who does is committing an offence.

The only place an e-scooter can be used is on private land, with the permission of the landowner.

At the moment, they are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), so they’re treated as motor vehicles and are subject to all the same legal requirements – MOT, tax, licensing and specific construction.

So, because they don’t always have visible rear red lights, number plates or signalling ability, they can’t be used legally on the roads.

The law covering e-bikes – which are battery-assisted pedal cycles – doesn’t currently cover e-scooters, but the government wants to regulate them in a similar way in future.

Normal scooters, those without motors, are not allowed on pavements or cycle paths – but they can be used on roads.

Can I be fined for using an e-scooter?
If you use a privately-owned e-scooter on any public road, cycle lane or pavement, you could get a £300 fixed-penalty notice and, if you have one, six points on your driving licence.