A serious road accident can upend your life in an instant, and the experience is no less distressing simply because you were not the one driving. If you were injured while travelling as a passenger in a vehicle, our road traffic passenger accident claims team at LMK Law is here to help. Based in County Antrim and serving clients across Northern Ireland, we have more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law and a strong track record of recovering the compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives.
To speak to our experts please call us on 028 2766 6698 or Make An Online Enquiry.
What is a road traffic passenger accident claim?
A road traffic passenger accident claim is a personal injury claim made by someone who was occupying a seat in a vehicle at the time of a collision and who suffered injury as a direct result. Because you were a passenger, you had no control over the vehicle and no part in causing the incident. That generally places you in a strong position when it comes to establishing liability. The claim is brought against the at-fault driver’s insurer, not against the driver personally, which means your relationship with that person does not need to stand in the way of your right to compensation. We can help you understand who is responsible and how the claims process works.
Who do we represent?
We act for passengers injured in all types of road vehicles, including private cars, taxis, minibuses, coaches, and motorcycles, as well as those hurt on public transport where a driver’s conduct fell below the standard required by law. Every driver owes a duty of care to the passengers they are carrying. Where that duty is breached and harm is caused, those injured may be entitled to compensation.
Road traffic passenger accident claims cover a wide range of injury types, from whiplash and soft tissue damage to fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and conditions that leave lasting consequences. Whatever the circumstances of your accident, our aim is to secure the best possible outcome for you.
Can I make a claim?
To succeed in a passenger accident claim, you need to show that the accident was caused by another person’s negligence. That negligence may lie with the driver of the vehicle you were travelling in, another driver involved in the collision, or both. It makes no difference if the driver at fault is someone you know personally. The claim is directed at their insurance policy and will not leave them out of pocket.
There are some factors that can affect the level of compensation awarded, even where liability is not in dispute. Failing to wear a seatbelt, for example, may result in a reduction in damages if it can be shown that wearing one would have reduced the severity of your injuries. Knowingly travelling with a driver who was unfit to drive may also be taken into account under the principle of contributory negligence. We will discuss any such factors openly with you so that you have a realistic picture of your position.
If you are unsure whether your circumstances give rise to a claim, speak to us. We will give you an honest assessment, free of charge and with no obligation, so you can consider your options.
How much compensation will I receive?
The compensation you may be entitled to depends on the particular facts of your case. The nature and severity of your injuries, your expected recovery period, and the impact the accident has had on your day-to-day life all affect your compensation award. A claim can cover several categories of loss, including:
- General damages for pain and suffering, reflecting the physical and emotional toll the accident has taken on your life.
- Damages for loss of amenity, recognising that your injuries may have taken from you the ability to partake in the hobbies, relationships, and everyday activities that you once enjoyed.
- Loss of earnings for income already missed, and any long-term reduction in your capacity to work and earn in the future.
- Medical and rehabilitation costs, including physiotherapy, psychological treatment, and any specialist consultations required as part of your recovery.
- Practical expenses arising directly from the accident, such as travel to medical appointments, vehicle repair or replacement, and any care or assistance you have needed at home.
We can help you identify and properly evidence every element of your loss. We work alongside a team of experienced medical consultants who carry out thorough assessments to make sure that nothing is overlooked.
Why choose LMK Law?
Top quality legal advice
Personal injury law is central to our practice. We are the highest-rated personal injury solicitors in the area, a position earned over three decades through consistent results and direct, reliable advice. When you instruct us, you benefit from deep specialist knowledge from the moment you make contact through to the resolution of your claim.
Support and reassurance
Legal proceedings can feel daunting, particularly when you are managing the physical and emotional aftermath of a road traffic passenger accident. We strive to keep the process manageable for our clients. You will always know where you stand, what is coming next, and what a fair outcome looks like. We offer advice in both English and Polish, so if Polish is your first language, you can discuss every aspect of your case in the language you are most comfortable with.
Expert mental health support
A road accident not only leaves physical marks. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, disrupted sleep, and post-traumatic stress disorder are all recognised outcomes following serious collisions, and they form just as valid a part of your claim as any physical injury. Many of the clients who come to us have been living with these symptoms for months without realising that professional treatment is available to them now, rather than after an extended wait.
We refer clients experiencing psychological symptoms to a trusted specialist psychotherapist for private treatment at no cost to them. NHS waiting times for psychological support in Northern Ireland can run to two years or more. Through our referral network, clients can begin treatment almost immediately. Therapies available include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Exposure Therapy, all of which can significantly alleviate the trauma arising from road accidents. The cost of that treatment is recovered as part of your overall settlement.
100% of your compensation
We work alongside a team of highly regarded barristers and medical experts to build the most robust case possible on your behalf. When your claim succeeds, legal costs are recovered from the opposing party, so you receive 100% of your compensation. While no win, no fee arrangements are not available to solicitors in Northern Ireland, this means that your settlement is not reduced to cover our fees. We take each case on its merits and will only recommend proceeding where there is a sound and realistic prospect of success.
A replacement vehicle
If the accident was not your fault and you are left without transport while your vehicle is being assessed or repaired, we can arrange for one of our qualified engineers to carry out an independent inspection and produce a written report on the damage. Where alternative transport is required, we can organise a hire vehicle for you at no upfront cost. The charges are recovered from the other driver’s insurer as part of the wider claim. We manage the whole process, removing one more source of pressure from what is already a difficult period.
Speak to our road traffic passenger accident claims team today
We offer every new client a free initial consultation with no obligation to proceed. One of our specialist solicitors will assess the merits of your case, take you through your options, and give you the information you need to decide whether to make a road traffic accident claim.