How might the personal injury reforms affect you?

Changes to the way personal injury claims for people involved in road traffic accidents are handled - increasing the small claims limit from £1,000 to £5,000 - could be in force by next April.

The Government believes some whiplash claims are 'minor, exaggerated or fraudulent' but others worry the reforms will disadvantage people who can't afford a lawyer, affect their access to justice and right to compensation.

New compensation limits proposed for whiplash claims:

• £225 total damages for injuries lasting less than three months;
• £450 for injuries up to six months;
• The maximum fixed tariff for a whiplash injury, applying where victims have suffered up to 24 months, is £3,725.

Wards Solicitors' Angela Carnell has more than 20 years' experience of representing claimants injured as a result of road accidents. For help on this area of the law, please contact her or any member of the Accident and Injury team.