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Last Updated 21st April 2026. You may be able to claim compensation for your injuries sustained in a snow and ice car accident if you can prove that either another driver’s negligence or someone’s failure to maintain the road properly caused the incident. Snow and icy conditions can make roads unsafe, which is why anyone using them should take extra precautions when driving in adverse weather, and those responsible for road maintenance should ensure they are properly gritted or cleared.
Settlements for these types of road traffic accidents could include compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the driver and/or passengers, as well as their financial losses, such as lost wages and domestic support costs. In order to claim it, you will need to submit compelling evidence that proves the other driver or the poor road surface caused the accident.
A solicitor could increase your chances of making a successful claim for a car accident caused by snow and ice. Our solicitors offer their services under a No Win No Fee arrangement, which means you won’t be asked for upfront solicitor’s fees or have to pay these as the claim moves through the stages. We have many collective years of experience supporting these types of claims.
To find out if you can pursue a compensation claim with the support of one of our road traffic accident solicitors, speak with an advisor. As part of your free consultation, an advisor will assess whether you have a strong case and estimate how much compensation your claim could be worth. Get in touch today:
- Calling us on 0161 509 2856
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
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Select A Section
- Could I Claim For A Snow Or Ice Car Accident?
- Determining Fault In Snow And Ice Car Accidents
- How Long Do You Have To Claim For A Snow And Ice Car Accident?
- What Is The Snow Or Ice Car Accident Claim Process?
- How Much Can You Claim For Snow And Ice Car Accidents?
- Why Claim For A Car Accident On Ice Or Snow With Advice?
- No Win No Fee Snow And Ice Car Accident Claims
- Advice For Victims Of Road Accidents
Could I Claim For A Snow Or Ice Car Accident?
While using the roads, all road users owe each other a duty of care to navigate in a way that prevents injury and damage to themselves and others. To uphold this duty, road users must comply with the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. This includes rules intended to prevent snow accidents, which are covered by Rules 228 to 231. Some of these rules are found in legislation as well. They include:
- Ensuring that all snow and ice is cleared from vehicle windows.
- Vehicles must have clean and clearly visible lights.
- Ensuring that the mirrors and windows are demisted.
If you suffer a road traffic injury due to an accident on ice, you may like to know whether you meet the eligibility criteria to make a road traffic accident claim. To make a snow or ice accident personal injury claim, you must be able to prove that:
- You were owed a duty of care
- This duty was breached
- You suffered harm as a result
Direct any questions about seeking personal injury compensation to one of the advisors from our team. They can offer more information on the road traffic accident claims process and can help you identify whether you have a valid claim.
Determining Fault In Snow And Ice Car Accidents
It is essential that fault can be assigned in claims for snow and ice car accidents. The Highway Code has specific rules for driving in adverse weather. However, those responsible for maintaining the roads, such as the local council, owe drivers a duty of care to take steps to ensure their reasonable safety, such as gritting icy surfaces.
Examples of accidents that could occur in snowy and icy conditions include:
- Another driver was unable to see because they failed to clear all the snow off their windows. They crashed into the vehicle in front of them. In this case, the driver’s inability to see caused the accident and is therefore at fault.
- The council claimed that certain roads were gritted. However, one of the roads, which is also a major bus route, was not gritted. Despite driving safely for the conditions, your car veered off the road, and you suffered minor injuries. In this case, the council could be at fault.
These aren’t the only situations where another party was at fault for your injuries. To discuss your snow and ice car accident and find out if you can claim, speak to an advisor now. Alternatively, you can skip ahead to read about what sort of evidence you could collect to prove fault.
How Long Do You Have To Claim For A Snow And Ice Car Accident?
It is vital that your snow accident claim is filed within the personal injury claims time limit. This is set under the Limitation Act 1980 as generally three years from the date of the ice or snow accident.
However, in certain snow accident claims, there are limitation period exceptions. These include ice accident claims for:
- Those without the mental capacity to initiate their own compensation claim – These parties have an indefinite suspension applied to the limitation period that lasts for as long as they are without this mental capacity. During this time, a litigation friend can be appointed by the courts to start the claims process for them. However, if the injured party recovers this capacity, they will have three years from that date to start civil proceedings if a claim has not already been made for them.
- Young persons under the age of 18 – These parties cannot file their own compensation claim until they turn 18. A litigation friend may be appointed to act for them at any time during the pause. If a claim has not been made on their behalf by their 18th birthday, they will have three years from this date to begin their own legal proceedings.
If you have any questions about making a compensation claim for injuries suffered during poor weather conditions, including limitations or how to become a litigation friend to claim on behalf of an injured party, please speak to an advisor from our team.
What Is The Snow Or Ice Car Accident Claim Process?
The snow or ice car accident claim process involves gathering evidence of third-party negligence, complying with the time limit, and seeking legal advice. Below, we have detailed several steps to take to strengthen your road traffic accident claim.
Get Medical Help
After a collision in winter conditions, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention. Whether you were a passenger, driver, pedestrian, or cyclist at the time of the snow and ice car accident, this ensures you are properly diagnosed and treated. Taking this step also creates an official medical record that can serve as valuable evidence in a compensation claim.
Secure Information About The Incident
If it is safe to do so, try to gather evidence at the scene of the snow and ice car accident. This may include photographs showing weather conditions, vehicle positions, skid marks, and the extent of damage to your car. You should also exchange information with the other party involved in the accident, including names, addresses, insurance details, and vehicle registrations.
Create An Official Record Of The Accident
You will need to report the snow and ice car accident to your police and the insurer. This creates an official record of the collision, which can provide further insight into the circumstances of the incident.
Track Your Losses And Injuries
Following the snow and ice car accident, keep a diary detailing your pain levels, mobility issues, and sleep disruption. You should also record the financial losses you incur because of your injuries, including lost earnings and medical expenses.
Speak To A Personal Injury Solicitor
You should seek advice from a personal injury solicitor experienced in navigating the nuances of winter weather-related road traffic accident claims. At Advice, we provide clarity throughout the legal process by advising you on the strength of your evidence and taking a hands-on approach to building a strong case.
Ensure That You’re Within The Time Limits
In most cases, you will have 3 years from the date of the snow and ice car accident to start your claim. However, some exceptions may exist, as outlined in our time limit guide.
To learn more about evidence gathering, please contact one of our friendly advisors today.
How Much Can You Claim For Snow And Ice Car Accidents?
If you make a successful personal injury claim for an accident on ice, your settlement could consist of two parts. These are called general and special damages.
General damages compensate for the physical pain and mental suffering you experienced as a result of the accident. For guidance when valuing this part of personal injury claims, those responsible for evaluating your claim may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This text lists guideline compensation brackets for different types of injuries.
In our table below, we look at a few figures for injuries relevant to snow and ice accident claims from the JCG. However, the top row is not from the JCG. This is included to show how much compensation your settlement could include if you suffered multiple serious injuries and are also claiming for incurred expenses. We’ve also included 2 examples of the tariffs found in the Whiplash Injury Regulations (we explain shortly). As claims are valued on their individual merits, this table is only provided for guidance.
| Injury Type | Details | Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Serious multiple injuries and special damages | Settlements may include compensation for more than one severe injury and incurred expenses, including loss of earnings and home help. | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | In this bracket, there will be very little evidence of the injured party showing any meaningful response to their environment. Additionally, they will have little or no language function, alongside double incontinence and require full-time nursing care. | £372,570 to £533,720 |
| Leg Amputation - Below Knee Amputation of Both Legs | In this bracket, both of the claimant's legs have been amputated below the knee with the award considering the level of amputation, phantom pains, psychological problems from the injury, prosthetics, degenerative changes in remaining joints or risk of and other effects. | £266,200 to £356,840 |
| Severe Back Injuries (i) | In this bracket, the damage to the nerve roots and spinal cord result in serious consequences including severe pain and disability, incomplete paralysis and/or impairments to the functioning of the bladder, bowels or sexual functioning. | £120,340 to £212,670 |
| Severe Neck Injuries (i) | Cases in this bracket are associated with incomplete paralysis. | In the region of £195,970 |
| Severe Arm Injuries | Cases found in this bracket involve injuries that are so severe that the injured person is little better off than if their arm had been amputated. | £127,050 to £172,970 |
| Severe Injuries to the Pelvis and Hips (i) | The claimant has suffered extensive fractures resulting in substantial residual disabilities. | £103,580 to £172,970 |
| Very Severe Foot Injuries | Cases in this bracket result in permanent sever pain and/or really serious permanent disability, such as the traumatic amputation of the forefoot. | £110,930 to £144,860 |
| Severe Knee Injuries (i) | This bracket includes serious knee injuries with joint disruption, osteoarthritis development, gross ligament damage, extended treatment time, considerable pain and the loss of function. | £92,130 to £127,110 |
| Whiplash Tariff | To claim this tariff, the injured party must suffer from whiplash symptoms alongside a psychological injury for 18-24 months. | £4,975 |
| Whiplash Tariff | This tariff is for claimants who suffer with the symptoms of whiplash for 18-24 months. | £4,830 |
You could also be awarded special damages to compensate for any financial losses you’ve incurred due to your injuries. Here are a few examples of what you could be compensated for under special damages:
- Care and nursing costs.
- Travel expenses.
- Loss of earnings, including pension contributions.
- The cost of mobility aids.
- Expenses for home adaptations.
- Prescription costs.
You should submit proof of your expenses, such as bank statements, wage slips, and receipts.
Whiplash Reform Programme
Your claim might be impacted by the Whiplash Reform Programme. This brought in changes to how some personal injury claims for road traffic accidents are made in England and Wales. The reforms apply to those who are aged 18 and older, with injuries valued at £5,000 or less as a driver or passenger in a vehicle.
If you suffered a whiplash injury, it will be valued in accordance with the tariff set out in the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. These are fixed amounts. We’ve listed a few examples in the table above. Any additional injuries that are not covered by the tariff will be valued in the traditional manner.
Direct any questions about claiming for snow accidents to an advisor from our team. They can also value your claim as part of your free consultation.
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Why Claim For A Car Accident On Ice Or Snow With Advice?
If you claim for a car accident on ice or snow with Advice, you benefit from tailored legal support informed by decades of collective experience. By managing all correspondence and handling all other aspects of the claims process, our expert solicitors allow you to fully focus on your recovery. This client-focused approach also includes:
- Giving regular updates about the status of your snow and ice car accident claim, so you always know where it stands.
- Helping with gathering evidence that may be difficult to obtain, such as CCTV footage, dashcam recordings, and reports from roadside sensor stations or gritting inspections.
- Providing expert insight throughout the snow and ice car accident claims process, ensuring details such as a local highway authority’s failure to grit or maintain the road surface are not overlooked.
- Accurately valuing your claim by assessing the full scope of the physical, psychological, and financial impact of your injuries.
- Applying our deep understanding of the Highway Code and weather-related road safety rules to strengthen your case.
To discover more about the benefits of working with our specialist solicitors and how Advice will help you pursue compensation for a car accident in ice or snow, please get in touch with our team today.
No Win No Fee Snow And Ice Car Accident Claims
Our specialist team of No Win No Fee solicitors work under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), ensuring that claimants are able to access high-quality legal representation without any charges for service fees throughout a claim. This includes:
- No solicitor service fees at the start of your case.
- No ongoing fees for the work of your solicitor.
- No service fees payable if you do not receive compensation.
If your ice or snow car accident compensation claim is successful, a success fee will be paid to your solicitor. This is kept small by legislation that places a legally enforced cap on the percentage deducted from your compensation.
There are several ways you can get in touch with our team:
- Phone us on 0161 509 2856 and discuss your case with an advisor.
- You can also reach us online using our contact form.
- Or you can speak with us in live chat.
Advice For Victims Of Road Accidents
We understand that you may still have questions. Below you can find additional and related guides which could be helpful after being involved in a snow and ice car crash.
- Car Accident Claims – A Comprehensive Guide
In this guide, you can find out more about how to claim compensation for a car accident in a variety of circumstances. - Passenger Car Accident Compensation Claims
If you have been injured in a car accident as a passenger, find out how to make a personal injury claim in this guide. - Bus Accident Caused By Emergency Brake Compensation Claims
Especially when driving in snow and ice there can be a lot of accidents which involve emergency brakes, if this happened to you click on the guide above to find out more - Driving In Snow And Ice
Advice from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency about how to drive in snow and icy conditions.
Thank you for reading our guide about claiming after a snow and ice car accident.
