Most personal injury claims take between 4 and 9 months to settle for straightforward cases like road traffic accidents, workplace injuries, and public liability claims processed through the official Claims Portal. More complex medical negligence claims typically require 12 to 36 months due to the need for extensive medical evidence and expert assessments.
The exact timeline for your claim depends on several key factors: the severity of your injuries, how quickly evidence can be gathered, whether the defendant accepts liability, and whether court proceedings become necessary. Below, our personal injury lawyers explain each factor in detail so you understand what to expect from your personal injury compensation claim.
What can delay your compensation claim?
The type and severity of your injuries
At the start of the claims process, your solicitor will arrange a medical assessment. This is to gather evidence in support of your claim and calculate a fair level of compensation. But, depending on the nature of your injuries, it can take anywhere between a few weeks and several months to complete.
Perhaps it’s too early to tell the full impact of your injuries? If so, the assessment will be delayed until this is clearer.
Maybe your injuries are particularly severe or complex (e.g. psychological)? In which case, several medical assessments may be required over an extended period before it can be determined how much compensation you could receive.
Generally, the more severe your injuries, the longer the claim will take.
The time needed to gather evidence
Aside from your own medical reports, your solicitor will also need to gather other forms of evidence to support your personal injury claim. This process can involve a lot of different people. And, as such, can have a huge influence on how long it takes for your injury compensation to be settled. For example, for most claims, they may need to acquire:
- Witness statements
- CCTV footage
- Photographs of your injuries and the location of the accident
- Medical evidence
- Police and emergency service reports
- Expert opinions
- Evidence of any expenses incurred
How the injury occurred
The circumstances of your accident will also affect how long the claims process takes.
For example, road traffic accident, employer liability and public liability claims – worth less than £25,000 – can now all be made via the Claims Portal. This is an electronic system that streamlines the process, setting a strict time limit (15-30 days) within which the defendant must respond. On average, personal injury claims that are processed in this way take around 4-9 months to settle.
Claims for medical negligence tend to be a lot more involved and complicated. Therefore, they can’t be made using this fast-track portal and usually take longer to settle.
Whether the other party accepts or denies liability
If the defendant denies liability for your accident or refuses to offer a reasonable personal injury settlement, this will inevitably delay legal proceedings. Court action may then be required to conclude. But keep in mind, this happens very rarely. And even if it does, it’s worth it.
The court process may take longer, but it could ultimately be the difference between you winning or losing the case. Our personal injury experts can handle every aspect of the court proceedings should your case reach that point.
Who you’re claiming against
In some circumstances, it may be unclear who is liable. This may be because you were injured by someone else and their identity is unknown (e.g. if you were injured in a hit-and-run) or because you were partly responsible for the injuries sustained (e.g. not wearing a seatbelt when hit by a car).
Crucially, it is still possible to make a personal injury claim in these cases, but they can take longer to settle. If blame can be split between parties, your compensation may also be split.
Can you speed up your personal injury claim?
While certain aspects of the claims process have legally required timeframes, there are several ways you can help expedite your settlement:
What you can do:
- Attend medical appointments promptly – Don’t delay medical assessments or follow-up examinations, as these are critical for valuing your personal injury claim.
- Provide evidence quickly – Submit photographs, obtain witness contact details, and any documents your personal injury solicitor requests as soon as possible.
- Keep detailed records – Document all expenses, time off work, and how your injury affects daily life to streamline the evidence-gathering process.
- Respond to communications immediately – Quick responses to your solicitor’s queries prevent unnecessary delays.
- Be realistic about settlement offers – While you should never accept an unfair offer, understanding market value helps avoid prolonged negotiations.
What your solicitor does:
Experienced personal injury solicitors like our team at Injury Lawyers Direct know how to navigate the Claims Portal efficiently, submit complete documentation the first time, and negotiate effectively with insurers to avoid back-and-forth delays. Our knowledge of the process means we can often obtain the final settlement faster than less experienced firms.
Important: Never rush your claim just to settle quickly. It’s far better to wait for a full medical prognosis and accept a fair settlement than to settle early and receive inadequate compensation that doesn’t cover your long-term needs.
How long does each type of personal injury claim take?
| Claim Type | Typical Settlement Time | Processing Method |
| Road traffic accidents | 4-9 months | Claims Portal (fast-track) |
| Workplace accidents | 6-9 months | Claims Portal (fast-track) |
| Public liability accidents | 6-9 months | Claims Portal (fast-track) |
| Medical negligence | 12-36 months | Standard litigation process |
| Claims requiring court proceedings | 12-18+ months | Full court process |
| Simple, undisputed claims | 3-4 months | Negotiated settlement |
Please note: These are estimates based on typical cases. Your specific claim may be resolved faster or take longer depending on the unique circumstances of your injury and the cooperation of the defendant’s insurance company. Medical records, law firm, medical appointment, compensation award
Speak to expert solicitors for the right compensation settlement
Personal injury compensation is always paid on a ‘full and final’ basis and, having agreed to a settlement, no further compensation can then be paid in relation to that claim.
This is why our personal injury solicitors will only settle once the full extent of your pain and suffering is known. And we will advise at every stage whether to accept or reject an offer.
Thankfully, once a satisfactory figure has been reached, compensation is typically received within 2-4 weeks. And if you’re struggling financially throughout the claims process (and that process takes longer than expected), interim payments can also be arranged to help in the meantime. For further information on personal injury settlements – and to get a better idea of how long your claim may take to complete – please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free initial consultation.
We’re always happy to help and will do everything we can to achieve the best possible outcome, in the shortest possible time.
Either give us a call on 0800 110 5888 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you.
