This is the sixth of a series of monthly legal columns by Grantham-based multi-service law firm JMP Solicitors. Established in 2000, JMP provides services for a diverse range of local and national clients from individuals, to companies and organisations.

Personal injury solicitor Neil McKinley considers the implications of the Civil Liberty Act 2018:

From April 2020, the law surrounding road traffic accidents is changing as the Civil Liability Act, which was passed in 2018, finally comes into effect.

These changes will mean the amount of money people could receive in compensation for soft tissue damage, or whiplash, could be reduced.

For those with a genuine injury and a genuine claim, it makes receiving compensation even more stressful as they will have to navigate the legal proceedings without any help and this will leave claimants worse off as they will receive a significantly reduced sum.

The current small claims court limit for road traffic accidents is £1,000, but from April this will increase to £5,000 meaning anyone injured in a road traffic accident will not be able to use a lawyer to make a claim of £5,000 or less.

For those with a case in the small claims court, solicitors' fees won't be recoverable, and injured people will have to pay for legal costs directly or represent themselves.

There will also be a fixed amount for injuries that last for less than two years, ranging from £235 - £3,910, which is a substantial decrease in what claimants can receive from the current system.

The new law will allow claimants to receive; £235 for less than three months, £805 for between six and nine months, £1,250 for between nine and 12 months, £1,910 for between 12 and 15 months, £2,790 for between 15 and 18 months, and £3,910 for between 18 and 24 months.

Receiving compensation can be essential for covering medical costs, recovering loss of income from time taken off work and compensating for injuries suffered.

Under the new act, as well as claimants having to submit their own proceedings, they will also have to handle all medical proceedings alone including paying for medical assessments if necessary and appropriate treatment before receiving any form of compensation.

If you have been injured in a road traffic accident in the last three years, it is advised that you submit your claim before April 2020, to ensure that you receive vital legal support and a fair amount of compensation.

For further advice please call Neil on 0800 085 9966 or email [email protected]

Neil McKinley is a leading personal injury solicitor with nearly 40 years' legal experience, specialising in serious personal injury claims, road traffic accidents and industrial disease cases.