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Road Traffic Accident Compensation Calculator

This calculator estimates compensation for road traffic accident claims — including car, van, motorbike, cycle, and pedestrian injuries. It uses two reference frameworks: the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 tariff (fixed amounts for soft-tissue injuries lasting up to 24 months, settled through the Official Injury Claim portal) and the Judicial College Guidelines for anything more severe.

If your only injury is whiplash and your recovery is under 24 months, the whiplash-specific calculator gives a cleaner answer. Use this RTA calculator where there are multiple injuries, where injuries are above the whiplash tariff threshold, or where you’re unsure which framework applies.

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Road traffic accident compensation calculator

Based on the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026).

How This Calculator Works

You select your injury type and severity. The calculator detects whether the injury falls under the whiplash tariff (soft-tissue neck or back injury lasting up to 24 months) or above-tariff (anything more severe, or any injury beyond soft tissue). It then applies either the tariff amount or the appropriate JC bracket. Recovery time refines the figure within the bracket. Special damages — lost earnings, vehicle repairs not covered by insurance, treatment costs — add to the total.

Whiplash Tariff vs JC Guidelines

The 2021 whiplash reforms created a fixed tariff for low-value soft-tissue claims from road traffic accidents. The tariff applies if all of these are true: the injury is soft-tissue neck or back; recovery is within 24 months; the claim is valued under £5,000 in general damages; and the claimant was an adult occupant of a motor vehicle. Vulnerable road users (cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, children) are exempt from the tariff and continue to claim under JC Guidelines. The exemption matters — a cyclist with whiplash gets meaningfully more than a car passenger with the same injury.

Factors That Affect Your RTA Claim

  • Whether you were a driver, passenger, vulnerable road user, or pedestrian
  • Severity and duration of injury — particularly whether under or over the 24-month threshold
  • Multiple injuries — claims combine but with some discount
  • Lost earnings, particularly for self-employed or commission-based workers
  • Vehicle damage not covered by insurance
  • Pre-accident health, including pre-existing back or neck conditions
  • Contributory negligence — not wearing a seatbelt, failure to use a cycle helmet (limited effect), excess speed

What This Calculator Doesn’t Capture

The figure doesn’t reflect the impact of the Civil Liability Act 2018 reforms in marginal cases (where a single small injury might be uplifted by adding a knee or psychological injury — this is a technical area). It also doesn’t account for credit hire arrangements, courtesy vehicle costs, or the small claims track threshold (currently £5,000 for RTA injuries) which affects what costs are recoverable.

Next Steps

If your case is below the small claims threshold and involves only whiplash, the Official Injury Claim portal lets you claim without a solicitor — but most claimants still benefit from specialist advice because contested liability and mixed injuries quickly become complex. Above the threshold, or for vulnerable road users, instructing a specialist RTA solicitor on a no win no fee basis is standard.

Common Questions

Does this calculator work for vulnerable road users?

Yes — and importantly, the tariff does not apply to cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, or children. The calculator automatically routes these claims to the JC Guidelines bracket, which produces meaningfully higher figures for the same injury.

What if liability is disputed?

The calculator assumes liability is admitted. If liability is contested, the realistic settlement value reflects the strength of evidence and the assessed risk of losing at trial — sometimes a discount of 20-50 per cent against the calculator figure. Specialist solicitors can advise on settlement positioning where liability is in issue.

What are the Judicial College Guidelines?

The Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases (currently 18th edition, published April 2026) are the reference work used by judges, solicitors, and insurers across England and Wales to value personal injury claims. They set out compensation brackets for every category of injury, from minor soft tissue damage to catastrophic brain injury. Brackets reflect typical court awards and are updated every two to three years to reflect inflation and emerging case law.

How accurate is this calculator?

The calculator gives a directional estimate based on published guidelines. Actual settlements vary based on the specific facts of each case, the strength of evidence, the prognosis at the point of settlement, contributory negligence findings, and the negotiating position of the insurer. The figure should be treated as a starting point for understanding the range of possible outcomes — a specialist solicitor will give you a more precise figure after reviewing your medical evidence and circumstances.

Should I use the Official Injury Claim portal instead?

OIC is suitable for adult car occupants with whiplash-only injuries valued below £5,000. For multiple injuries, above-tariff severity, vulnerable road users, or any case with disputed liability, a solicitor will produce a better outcome — the small additional cost (capped at 25 per cent of general damages and past losses) typically results in a settlement that exceeds what OIC produces.

Whiplash Calculator (2024 Tariff)

Road Traffic Accident Claims

Cycling Accident Claims

Pedestrian Accident Claims

Motorcycle Accident Claims

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Gavin Cooper

Gavin Cooper

Claims Expert, Claims Bible

Gavin writes and reviews Claims Bible's guidance on compensation claims. Claims Bible is a trading style of Forces Compare Ltd, authorised and regulated by the FCA for claims management activities (FRN 785329).

Updated 5 August 2026 · Part of our Personal Injury guide

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