Spotlight: HCC Solicitors

What is the very first thing you do when someone comes to you looking for legal support after a road crash?

The first thing we do when someone contacts us is visit them in person, regardless of whether there will be a civil case. We take the time to really listen to what the individual or family are going through – it is vital that they feel heard and their specific concerns are understood. In the aftermath of a collision, we ensure our actions earn our clients’ trust. Sometimes, we introduce our Client Support Manager, who can provide quick and practical help with everything from accessing benefits to support groups.

What kinds of things might a road victim be able to claim for?

A bereaved or injured person has so much to worry about, so the last thing they need is financial stress. We work to secure early interim payments and benefits advice, lessening at least one concern immediately.

What can be claimed for will vary, but for people who are injured it will include swift access to treatment, rehabilitation and therapy. We’ll look at ongoing care and adaptations that might be needed, and loss of earnings – sadly, some people may never be able to return to work. It is about ensuring those with lifelong injuries can rebuild their lives as best as they possibly can.

For people who are bereaved, it is very difficult to attach a value to the life of their loved one, and we are clear that no amount of money can ever compensate. However, working with the family, we will look at everything the person who has died provided, from their income, to tasks they undertook around the home (such as cooking or gardening), and childcare. The aim is to ensure family security for the future, despite their loss. Bereaved families have totally unexpected funeral costs – sometimes simply being able to get the costs towards a headstone can make a difference.

However, it is not only about what can be claimed for, financially, but the advice we provide throughout the process. Post-crash processes are complex, and we do our best to explain each step. We accompany families in criminal trials and at inquest to ensure they are supported and have their voice heard.

How has your partnership with Brake changed your perspective on working with road victim families?

Brake offers such immediate and intensive support that it really is a lifeline. When people may be traumatised and in total shock, their Brake caseworker provides crucial guidance. Brake reminds us that every individual is unique and that we can never take a one-size-fits-all approach but adapt to the needs of each person. Brake’s campaigning work also pushes us to do more – while our primary focus is support, we have a role to play in improving the post-crash response and advocating for safer roads.

How do you support Brake?

We are so proud to work with Brake. Our partnership includes fundraising, sponsorship, volunteering, and active participation in events. As regular sponsors of Brake's Golf Day, we help bring together organisations from across the sector and raise thousands of pounds. We also take part in challenges such as 10k runs and hold bake sales during Road Safety Week.

In 2025, we were the headline sponsor of Brake’s inaugural Rowan Tree Ball, and we also regularly sponsor the After the Crash conference, an important day that brings together professionals dedicated to improving post-crash support and sharing best practice.

And in previous years, we were deeply moved to attend and sponsor Brake’s Family Liaison Officer Awards, a prestigious event recognising the outstanding compassion and dedication of FLOs.

Last month (July 2026), we hosted some of Brake’s caseworkers and members of the emergency services from across the north of England at a fantastic learning and networking event. It was an opportunity to strengthen multi-agency collaboration and professional learning. At the day-long event in Leeds, we discovered more about how Brake supports and works with clients, including sharing some lived experience and best practice for maintaining caseworkers’ wellbeing. Brake’s northern regional manager, Gaynor, talked about the benefit of therapeutic resources for clients. There was also a discussion about some of the challenges police forces face when investigating road crashes.

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