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Changes to Road Traffic Accident Claims

THE LAW IS CHANGING regarding how you can make a claim if you have been involved in a low value Road Traffic Accident.  These changes refer to whiplash injuries with a prognosis period of less than 2 years.

At present, the majority of whiplash claims with a prognosis period of 2 years settle between £2,000.00 and £5,000.00, depending on the severity of the injury.  Currently, there is a claims value limit in place of £1,000.00.    This means that any claim where the injury is worth less than £1,000.00 would fall under a small claims matter and is unlikely to be dealt with by a legal representative. 

Under the new reforms, the claims value is being raised from £1,000.00 to £5,000.00.  The Government is also introducing a tariff system for low value Road Traffic Injury claims and from April onward, you will only be awarded compensation for these injuries, i.e. whiplash with a prognosis period of less than 2 years, as per the table below:

Injury Duration New Tariff Amount
0-3 months £255.00
4-6 months £450.00
7-9 months £765.00
10-12 months £1,190.00
13-15 months £1,820.00
16-18 months £2,660.00
19-24 months £3,725.00

The thinking behind the new reforms is to discourage claimants from making a claim and putting pressure on insurance premiums. 

If claimants wish to make a claim they are not completely blocked from doing so but they will have limited access to legal assistance as a result. 

The new Reforms are due to come in to effect in April 2020.

If you would like advice on how to bring a claim for compensation as a result of a Road Traffic accident, contact one of our lawyers on:

Exeter 01392 285000    Cullompton 01884 33818     Newton Abbot 01626 330127

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