People are often concerned that they may not be able to prove their claim and make it successful. People are often worried that the insurance companies or the company / person responsible for the accident will try and do all they can to undermine the accident victim and prevent a payout.
Well, in all honesty; you probably should be worried
In my experience, insurance companies, claims representatives, solicitors, and the company / person responsible for the accident will do all they can to prevent a payout. If they believe they can defend the claim, they will – regardless of whether your claim is genuine or not. Its possible those on the other side will even lie, or bend the truth in order to defend the claim. We’ve seen it happen – and the truth has come out.
So – how do you prove your claim and win the case? Here are some tips on protecting your position and making sure there is no way your genuine claim can be undermined by the other side!
At The Scene
OK – so most people won’t think of this after an accident. You’re probably in too much shock. But if you do, then here are some things you can do:
- Take Photos: the camera never lies! Taking photos of the scene at a car accident, the defect you have fallen over on the pathway, or the condition of the broken work equipment that has just injured you can definitely help your claim. If it’s possible to do so, return to the scene and take some snaps. Taking some photos of your injuries can help you out as well.
- Get Witness Evidence: if anyone witnessed the incident, kindly ask them for their details. Their firsthand account could provide your claim and help you out a lot!
- CCTV: Look up and around, and smile if you’re on CCTV. Then ask the owners, or whoever is responsible for the cameras, to keep the footage. Normally it will be destroyed within 2 – 4 weeks.
Next Steps
Go and get medical help as soon as you can:
- Advise Your Medic: Provide a detailed account of how and what caused your injuries to the doctor / nurse / consultant that treats you when you either visit a local hospital or walk in centre, or when you visit your GP. Your detailed account should be recorded in your medical notes, and these can be relied upon at a later date.
- Write It Down: Take a moment to write down the events somewhere and keep them safe. If your memory fails you at a later date, you should have everything noted down.
- Loses: If you have to pay for any medication, or for public transport to get to a medical appointment, or anything else that is directly related to the accident and your injuries – keep the receipts / invoices safe. You can claim these back at a later date!
Time to Claim
If the accident was not your fault, you should speak to an expert independent injury lawyer as soon as possible to get the ball rolling for a claim sooner rather than later. Events will be fresh in your mind, CCTV footage can be acquired at an early stage, and you can get private medical care free of charge to help you on your road to recovery.
There is, in most cases, a three year time limit in which to claim, which generally runs from the date of the accident. Leaving it too later can jeopardise your claim.
Make sure you get a proper personal injury expert to fight your corner for the claim and ensure you get the winning result you deserve.
