Some people who are entitled to compensation for injuries that they have sustained in road traffic accidents caused by the negligence of third party drivers choose not to make a claim for compensation because they are of the view that the process is time consuming and ultimately not worth it.
At the end of the day, it is up to you whether you want to make a claim for compensation – no-one can force you into this – but the reality of claiming for compensation in what are considered as straightforward road traffic accidents, for instance where someone drives into the back of you, is actually equally straightforward and takes little time at all.
At the end of April 2010 a new protocol was introduced which streamlined the claims process for low value road traffic accidents. Under previous rules it could take up to 4 months for the Defendant to admit or deny liability, and then several months thereafter to settle your claim. This was far too long; under the new protocol the Defendant has 15 business days after they are made aware of your claim to come back with their decision on liability. This is a vast, vast improvement from 4 months. So if people tell you that the claims process is a big hassle, all I can say is that it has improved significantly – and with the right injury lawyer on your side you won’t have to lift a finger.
Read More