Being involved in an accident that was not your fault is a trying time for anyone. It can be confusing just thinking about which lawyer you should instruct, what happens next, how much you can claim for etc. There are so many questions, and so many different answers. So here’s a guide on what to do and what you need so you know what course of action to take.
What to Do
If you have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, there are two things you need to do right from the start.
Step 1: at the scene of the accident, exchange details with all relevant parties involved:
- Road Accidents: exchange names, addresses, telephone numbers, vehicle details (reg, make, model, colour), and insurance information with any other vehicles involved in the accident, and any witnesses to the accident. If your injuries are debilitating enough to prevent you from this, the police should always be called.
- Accident at Work: if you need help, shout for colleagues for assistance, and ensure your supervisor or manager is called to attend. If you are able to do so, ensure the accident is recorded in an accident book, and you note the names of any colleagues that may have seen what has happened.
- In / On Premises (Shops, bar, restaurant, etc): again, if you need help, call for it. Ensure you speak to a manager or person in a position of authority within the premises to ensure your accident is recorded – get a copy of whatever they record as well. If there were witnesses, make sure you get their information.
- On the Street (Council Claims): again, if you need help, call for it. You can also take the details of any bystanders that may have witnessed your accident, and taking photographs of the general area and whatever caused your accident is an essential thing to do. If you are unable to take any photos there and then, make sure you return to the scene as soon as you can to take some.
Step 2: Seek medical attention.
If your injuries are serious, call for an ambulance, or get to your nearest hospital / walk in centre. You can always visit your GP as well – as long you as see a medical professional, your injuries will be recorded in your medical records and can be relied upon at a later date.
What’s Next
You’re now ready to make your claim for compensation. First things first – chose your lawyer wisely:
Genuine No Win No Fee
Ensure you get a lawyer working on a Genuine No Win No Fee basis. This means that you never have to pay a penny to your lawyers, whether the case is wins or loses. This means you always get 100% of any compensation that you are entitled to get. The Genuine part of the agreement means your lawyer will limit their legal fees to whatever they recover from the other side – meaning you can never be charged for a successful claim.
Independent Experts
Always instruct an independent expert firm of specialist personal injury lawyers. Independence means there are no middle men (i.e. insurers or claims management companies) taking a cut from your claim or costing your solicitor valuable money in paying for a referral fee (leaving you with a solicitor with a tight budget!). Making sure you get an expert firm of specialists’ means you are in the best and most capable hands to ensure your claim is maximised and settled in the quickest possible time.
Get a Fantastic Service
Make sure you choose a lawyer with a proven history of client testimonials and a service standard that you can trust. For example:
- Regular Contact – your lawyers should contact you as often as they can – whenever anything new happens on your case, even if it’s just a quick letter from the other side, you should be informed immediately. You should be regularly contact in any event – say, every 14 days, so you know your lawyers are working hard on your file. Your calls and emails should be returned the same day as well.
- The Extra Mile: your lawyers should do all they can to go the extra mile for you – they should do all the leg work as well as all the legal work, so you don’t have to spend your time chasing up information from your insurers in a road accident, or trying to sort out vehicle repairs, or chasing your employer for wage information. Your lawyers should do all this for you.
- Treatment: your lawyers should have a private medical plan for you in place right from the outset of your case. From private physio, to chiropractic or osteopathic treatment, to any scans you need; your lawyers should sort out your medical needs right from the start with no costs to pay – even if your claim loses (yes, that’s right – No Win No Fee Medical Care as well!).S
I hope you have learned a little about what you need to do, and what you should expect in a claim for compensation – any further advice you need, feel free to get in touch!.
