Car Accident Claim Time Limits Explained

By Stephen Hudson. Last Updated 22nd October 2025. Being injured in a car accident can cause a lot of psychological trauma in addition to your pain and suffering. If you have endured this through no fault of your own, you may be considering making a car accident claim. You may have many questions about the process, including the car accident claim time limit. No matter what you want to know, we’re here to provide the information you need. 

If you have an eligible claim, one of our car accident solicitors can start working on your case as soon as possible. They will take into account the unique facts of your case and give you the best possible advice, based on their knowledge and experience. There is nothing to lose from getting in touch, so please reach out now to find out more about our services.

What You Need To Know About Car Accident Claim Time Limits:

• How long after a car accident can you file a claim? There is no waiting period for starting a claim, so you can get underway as soon as you can if you have sufficient evidence of what happened.
• Do time limits apply if a car driver hits me and doesn’t stop? Yes, the standard time limit would apply, but you would claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
• How long to claim car accident compensation if my child was injured? Your child would need to wait until they are 18 to start claiming, but eligible adults could pursue compensation for them before this point by acting as a litigation friend.
• Can I still claim if my car accident was more than 3 years ago? Your claim may be time-barred, but you should still consult a solicitor to discuss the options you have.
• What do I do if there are no witnesses to my car accident? You would need to use other evidence to support your claim, such as photographs, medical records, and a police report.

What Is The Car Accident Claim Time Limit?

The car accident claim time limit is set out by the Limitation Act 1980. This piece of legislation states that all personal injury claims, including car accident claims, must be started within three years of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. We cover these in more detail later on in the article.

The limitation period is only one qualifying aspect of your claim. In order to form the basis of a valid case, you also need to prove that another road user breached their duty of care towards you and that this caused you to suffer injuries.

All road users owe each other a duty of care. This means they must use the roads in a way that prevents causing damage or harm to themselves and others. To uphold this, they are expected to comply with the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code.

If another road user breached their duty of care, and this caused an accident that resulted in you being injured, you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Contact our team of personal injury specialists today to learn more, or read on to find out more about the car accident claim time limit.

Are There Exceptions To The Car Accident Claim Time Limit?

Yes, there can be. The standard car accident claim time limit of 3 years may be extended in some circumstances. These are:

• Children: those under 18 at the time of the accident will have until they turn 21 to start their claim. However, they cannot start their own claim until they turn 18.
• Those lacking sufficient mental capacity: Persons who do not have the mental capacity to claim for themselves will have the time limit paused altogether.

In these scenarios, a parent, guardian or another suitable adult can apply to the courts to act as the injured person’s litigation friend. This means the suitable adult will have the power to make decisions about the claim on the injured person’s behalf and begin any legal action much sooner.

To ask our advisors, “How long after a car accident can you claim?” or to receive a free consultation regarding your eligibility, contact us today using the details provided below.

What Is The Time Limit For Fatal Car Accident Claims?

Following the death of a loved one, the fatal car accident claim time limit is 3 years. This can run from:

• The date of death
• The date of knowledge- this can be formed from the date of a postmortem or inquest.

It is important to note, too, that under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, only the deceased’s estate can begin a claim for the first 6 months following the deceased’s death. This can be a claim on behalf of the deceased’s pain and suffering, as well as a claim on behalf of the deceased’s dependents.

If no claim has been made on their behalf after these 6 months have passed, certain relatives of the deceased, known as dependents, can make their own claim for how the death has impacted them. This is per the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. Under this Act, the following qualify as a dependent:

• A husband, wife or civil partner
• Someone who cohabited with the deceased for 2 years prior to their death as a spouse
• The child of the deceased or someone treated as such, e.g. a stepchild
• A parent of the deceased or someone treated at such, e.g. a step-parent
• The aunt, uncle, brother, sister or cousin of the deceased.

Our advisors are here to help. If you have any questions, such as ‘Do I qualify as a dependent?’ or ‘How long after a car accident can you claim for damage to a car?’, our friendly team can assist you. Contact them today.

How Long After A Car Accident Can You Claim On Insurance In The UK?

The car insurance claim time limit in the UK depends on the insurance provider. As such, the best way to find out how long you have to claim for damage to your car would be to contact your insurance provider.

However, if you were injured in a car accident, then you could also start a personal injury claim. As we have already mentioned in the section above, the personal injury claims time limit is set out by the Limitation Act 1980, which states that you will generally have three years to start a claim for compensation. However, there are certain exceptions that apply to this limitation period.

For more information on claiming for a car accident, contact our team of advisors today. They can answer any questions you may have about the claims process, and could potentially connect you with a personal injury solicitor from our team.

How Long After A Car Accident Can You Claim For Damage?

In order to claim damages after a car accident, you have to take action within the time limit. Usually, the same three-year period applies if you want to claim for damage to your vehicle as it does claiming compensation for an injury.

What Is The Car Accident Claims Process Like And Does The Time Limit Affect It?

As discussed above, the car accident claims time limit is three years from the date of the incident. What this means is that you have three years from that date to start the car accident claims process (unless one of the exceptions applies).

The personal injury claims process, known more formally as the Pre-Action Protocol can be complex. Depending on the value of your claim, if you are seeking compensation for your injuries, you will need to:

• Inform the defendant that a claim is likely (this is the other party’s insurer) through a ‘Letter of Notification’.
• Determine what medical treatment you require as soon as possible, along with the other party. An interim payment can be made for your medical treatment at this stage.
• File a formal notice with the defendant that a claim is being made in a ‘Letter of Claim’.
• The defendant has 21 calendar days to respond to the Letter of Claim. From here, they have three months to investigate. These investigations are one of the reasons you should start the claims process as soon after the accident as possible. Additionally, your evidence will be needed during the process. As time goes by, some evidence, such as witness statements, may be more difficult to acquire.
• Documents then need to be disclosed. This will provide clarity on the points of dispute or aid in the resolution of the claim.
• Additionally, both parties can instruct relevant experts to provide testimony on the points of claim, such as an independent medical professional to assess the extent of your injuries.
• If the defendant accepts liability, a settlement offer may be made. Having a specialist road traffic accident solicitor can help you to negotiate to ensure that you are fully compensated.
• The final stage of settling out of court is ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)’. If a settlement isn’t agreed upon at this stage, the claim will go to trial.

Please note that the steps taken for lower-value claims are different. However, the limitation period remains the same. For more information, please speak to an advisor from our team.

Do I Need Evidence To Prove My Claim?

Now that you know more about car accident claim time limits, let’s talk about one of the most important steps in the claims process: gathering evidence. When you make a car accident claim, it’s your responsibility to prove:

• Someone else is responsible for the accident.
• How severe your injuries are.
• Whether you suffered financial losses.

If you choose to make your road traffic accident claim with the help of a solicitor, they can help you with this step by collecting:

• Photographs of both your injuries and the accident site.
• Dashcam footage or CCTV footage of the accident.
• Witness statements from people who saw the accident occur.
• Medical records that show how severe your injuries are.
• An independent medical assessment.
• Proof of financial losses, like bank statements, receipts, or invoices.

If you’d like to learn more about car accident claim time limits, contact our team today. One of our advisors can answer any questions you may have about the claims process, like “How long after an accident can you file a claim?” and “How long does an accident claim take?”

Claim For An Accident In A Car With A No Win No Fee Solicitor

If you are within the car accident claim time limit and are eligible for compensation, we can help you. Specifically, one of our specialist solicitors can work with you on a type of No Win No Fee basis called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

Here is why you may want to work with your solicitor under a CFA:

• You won’t pay for your solicitor’s work before the claims process begins.
• You won’t pay for your solicitor’s work during the claims process.
• You won’t pay for your solicitor’s work if your claim is unsuccessful.

If your claim is successful, you won’t pay for your solicitor’s work directly out of your pocket. Instead, your solicitor will take a small percentage of the compensation awarded to you. This small percentage is called the success fee and is legally capped to ensure that you receive the majority of the compensation.

To learn more about claiming for a car accident with a No Win No Fee solicitor, get in touch with our advisors today. You can reach them by:

• Calling 0800 073 8804.
• Filling in our online claim form.
• Or by messaging us through our 24/7 online live chat.

Useful Links

Below, you can find some useful links on car accident claims and the time limits involved when claiming compensation.

• Whiplash Compensation Calculator – Our guide to claiming whiplash.
• Motorcycle Accident Claims – You can read this guide to learn more about claiming for motorcycle accidents.
• Bus Accident Claims – In this guide, we explain how you could potentially claim compensation if you’re injured in a bus accident.
• Car Accident Statistics In The UK – View the latest car accident statistics for the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below, you can find answers to some frequently asked questions on the time limit to make a car accident claim.

What Happens If I Miss The Deadline To Claim?

If you miss the deadline to make a car accident claim, there is a good chance you won’t be able to get compensation. The Limitation Act 1980 imposes legal time limits, and you must have a very good excuse not to comply with them.

In some cases, you can argue for an exception under this law, but it’s best to speak with a trusted solicitor before going down that route.

Is The Deadline Different For Claims Involving Uninsured Drivers or Hit-and-Runs?

No, the deadline is the same for claims involving uninsured drivers or hit-and-run accidents. The claims process is different in the sense that the claim is lodged against the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) instead of the driver.

Does The Three-Year Time Limit Apply To All Injuries?

Yes, the three-year time limit does apply to all injuries sustained in a car accident. There may be some exceptions to this rule, such as if a child suffers an injury. In this case, their 3-year window won’t begin until they turn 18.

How Can I Check If I Have Enough Time Left To Claim?

The best way to check if you have enough time to claim is to nail down the accident date. Add 3 years on from this and it will tell you your cut-off date. For example, if you got hurt in a car crash on the 12th May 2025, you’d have until the 12th May 2028 to issue court proceedings.

We recommend speaking with a solicitor such as ourselves for extra security on the car accident time limit.