Personal Injury Solicitors Manchester

If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation. At MCR Solicitors in Manchester, our personal injury team helps people across Greater Manchester and the North West pursue claims for road traffic accidents, accidents at work, slips and trips, and more, often on a No Win No Fee basis. This guide explains how personal injury claims work in England and Wales, what compensation covers, the time limits that apply, and how our solicitors can support you from your first call to settlement.

To speak to a personal injury solicitor today, call MCR Solicitors on 0161 466 1280.

What is a personal injury claim?

A personal injury claim is a legal claim for compensation made when you suffer physical injury, psychological harm, or illness because of someone else's negligence or breach of a legal duty. To succeed, you generally need to show three things: that another party owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty, and that the breach caused your injury and losses.

Compensation, known legally as damages, is intended to put you back, so far as money can, in the position you would have been in had the accident not happened. It is not a windfall or a fine on the person at fault; it is a way of covering the harm and financial impact you have genuinely suffered.

Types of personal injury claim we handle in Manchester

Our solicitors advise on a wide range of personal injury matters, including:

Road traffic accidents as a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, cyclist, or pedestrian, including claims against uninsured or untraced drivers through the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
Accidents at work, where an employer has failed to provide a safe system of work, proper training, or suitable equipment.
Slips, trips, and falls in public places, shops, and on poorly maintained pavements or premises.
Industrial disease and occupational illness, such as hearing loss, respiratory conditions, or repetitive strain injuries caused by working conditions.
Public liability accidents in leisure venues, restaurants, and other premises open to the public.
Serious and catastrophic injuries, including head, spinal, and life-changing injuries that require long-term care and rehabilitation.

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, the simplest step is to call us. An initial conversation will help you understand whether you have a claim worth pursuing.

What does "No Win No Fee" actually mean?

"No Win No Fee" is the everyday name for a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under a CFA, you do not pay your solicitor's fees upfront, and if your claim is unsuccessful you will not have to pay those fees at all. If your claim succeeds, your solicitor is entitled to a success fee, which is deducted from your compensation.

For personal injury claims, the success fee that can be taken from your damages is capped by law. It cannot exceed a set percentage of certain heads of your compensation. Because these percentages and the way they are applied can change, and because the exact deduction depends on your individual agreement, always ask your solicitor to explain in writing exactly what you will pay if you win.

Two other things are commonly linked to No Win No Fee claims:

After the Event (ATE) insurance, a policy that can protect you against having to pay the other side's costs and certain expenses if your claim does not succeed.
Existing legal expenses insurance, which you may already hold through a home, car, or bank account policy. It is always worth checking whether you have this cover before starting a claim.

At MCR Solicitors we will explain your funding options clearly before you commit, so there are no surprises about costs.

How much compensation could you claim?

Compensation in a personal injury claim is usually divided into two categories.

General damages

These compensate you for the injury itself, the pain and suffering it causes, and its effect on your day-to-day life, known as loss of amenity. The amount awarded is guided by the Judicial College Guidelines and by comparable past court decisions, and depends heavily on the type and severity of your injury and how long it lasts.

Special damages

These reimburse the financial losses and expenses caused by your injury, which can include:

Lost earnings and loss of future earning capacity.
Medical treatment, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation costs.
Travel expenses to and from medical appointments.
Care and assistance provided to you, including unpaid help from family.
Adaptations to your home or vehicle in serious cases.

Because every injury and every person's circumstances are different, there is no fixed figure for any given type of accident. A solicitor can give you a realistic assessment once your injuries and losses are properly evidenced, usually with the help of an independent medical report.

The whiplash reforms and low-value road traffic claims

The way lower-value road traffic accident claims are handled changed significantly following the Civil Liability Act 2018 and the reforms that took effect in 2021. For many whiplash-type injuries from road traffic accidents, compensation for the injury is now set by a fixed government tariff rather than assessed individually, and certain lower-value claims are expected to be started through the official Official Injury Claim portal.

These rules are technical, the tariff figures are set by regulation and can be updated, and the value thresholds that decide which route your claim follows can change. If your claim involves a road traffic accident, we can tell you which process applies to you and check whether the fixed tariff or a more traditional route is appropriate. For the current tariff amounts and thresholds, you should also check the guidance on gov.uk and the Official Injury Claim service.

Time limits: how long do you have to claim?

Strict time limits apply to personal injury claims under the Limitation Act 1980. In most cases you have three years to start court proceedings, running either from the date of the accident or from the date you first knew your injury was significant and linked to someone else's fault (the "date of knowledge"). There are important exceptions:

For children, the three-year period does not begin until their 18th birthday, so a claim can generally be brought up to their 21st birthday. Before then, a parent or guardian can claim on their behalf.
For people who lack mental capacity, the standard time limit may not run while they lack capacity.
Criminal injury claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) have their own, shorter time limit and separate rules.
Different limits and rules can apply to injuries that happen abroad, on aircraft, or at sea.

The court has a limited discretion to allow some claims to proceed outside the normal time limit, but this cannot be relied upon. Because missing a deadline can end an otherwise strong claim, it is always best to seek advice as early as possible.

The personal injury claims process step by step

While every case is different, most personal injury claims follow a broadly similar path.

Free initial assessment. We discuss what happened, consider whether you have a viable claim, and explain your funding options.
Investigation and evidence. We gather evidence such as witness accounts, photographs, accident records, and CCTV where available, and arrange an independent medical examination to assess your injuries.
Letter of claim. We notify the party at fault or their insurer, setting out your allegations in line with the relevant pre-action protocol, and they are given time to investigate and respond on liability.
Valuing the claim. Using the medical evidence and your documented losses, we assess what your claim is reasonably worth.
Negotiation and settlement. Most claims settle without a court hearing. We negotiate on your behalf and advise you on any offers, including formal offers made under the court rules.
Court proceedings if necessary. If a fair settlement cannot be agreed, or to protect a limitation deadline, we can issue court proceedings. Even then, many cases still settle before a final hearing.

In serious cases, we may be able to secure interim payments before your claim is fully resolved, helping to cover treatment, care, and lost income while your case continues.

What to do after an accident that wasn't your fault

The steps you take in the days after an accident can make a real difference to your claim. Where you are able to:

Seek medical attention promptly, so your injuries are recorded and treated.
Report the incident, for example to the police for a road accident, or in your employer's accident book at work.
Take photographs of the scene, any hazard involved, and your visible injuries.
Note the names and contact details of anyone involved and any witnesses.
Keep receipts and records of any expenses and time off work.
Avoid discussing fault or accepting blame at the scene.

Do not worry if you were not able to do all of these things. An experienced solicitor can still help you build your case from the evidence that is available.

Why choose MCR Solicitors in Manchester?

MCR Solicitors is a Manchester-based law firm supporting clients across Greater Manchester and the wider North West. Our personal injury team combines local knowledge with a practical, client-focused approach. We take time to understand how your injury has affected your life and work, keep you informed in plain English, and pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Where appropriate, we can act on a No Win No Fee basis and help arrange rehabilitation and treatment as part of your claim.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to make a personal injury claim?

In most cases you have three years from the date of the accident, or from the date you realised your injury was linked to someone else's fault, to start court proceedings. Different rules apply to children, people who lack mental capacity, and criminal injury claims. Because deadlines are strict, it is best to take advice as soon as you can.

Will I have to go to court?

Usually not. The majority of personal injury claims are settled through negotiation without any court hearing. Court proceedings are sometimes needed to move a claim forward or protect a deadline, but even then most cases settle before trial.

How much will it cost me to make a claim?

Many personal injury claims can be run on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no fee to your solicitor if the claim is unsuccessful. If you win, a success fee capped by law is deducted from your compensation. We will explain all costs and any insurance clearly before you commit.

How much compensation will I get?

There is no fixed figure. Compensation depends on the type and severity of your injury, how long it affects you, and the financial losses you have suffered. General damages for the injury are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines, while special damages reimburse your actual losses. We can give you a realistic estimate once your injuries and losses are properly evidenced.

What if the accident was partly my fault?

You may still be able to claim. If you were partly responsible, your compensation can be reduced to reflect your share of the blame under the principle of contributory negligence, but a partial fault does not necessarily prevent a claim. Speak to a solicitor about your specific circumstances.

Can I claim on behalf of my child or a family member?

Yes. A parent or guardian can bring a claim on behalf of an injured child as their "litigation friend", and a similar role exists for adults who lack the capacity to manage a claim themselves. Time limits work differently in these cases, so early advice is helpful.

Speak to a personal injury solicitor in Manchester today

If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, do not leave it too late to get advice. The team at MCR Solicitors is ready to listen, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today on 0161 466 1280 for a friendly, no-obligation discussion about your claim.

Personal Injury Solicitors in Manchester - No Win No Fee Claims