Government data shows personal injury claims falling across the board

Personal injury claims associated with motor vehicle accidents reached a record low in the third quarter of 2025, with just 72,000 applications made in the period.

The figure represents only the latest decrease in a long-term downwards trend, which has seen overall motor-related injury claims drop from 667,000 in 2018 to 328,637 in 2024.

The data – received from the government’s Compensation Recovery Unit following a freedom of information request from the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (Acso) – also revealed downwards trends in other claims areas.

Clinical negligence claims shrank from 17,400 to 14,900 between 2018 and 2023, as did employer-related claims, which fell from 88,000 to 44,000.

Overall claims associated with personal injuries – which include miscellaneous categories and claims of unknown category – fell dramatically, down from 876,000 in 2018 to 476,000 in 2023, a fall of 45.6%.

Record lows

Matthew Maxwell Scott, executive director at Acso, said: “Road-traffic accident injuries for the third quarter of this year are once again at a record low, at just under 72,000 between July and September 2025.

“For the year to date, overall, such claims are down nine per cent on the equivalent period in 2024 and we see little reason why that downwards trend should not continue.”

He continued: “At face value, fewer claims could mean fewer accidents, but equally, it could mean that injured people are not claiming because it’s too difficult, too time consuming and the compensation for injuries is derisory.

“As the government puts the finishing touches to the Motor Insurance Taskforce report, these latest figures confirms that the case for further personal injury reform is wafer thin, especially with motor premiums continuing to fall.

“These numbers should give extra impetus to the insurers to reduce bills even further, giving hard-pressed consumers a much needed break.”