If you've been in an accident either in the car, while on public transport or even at work, it can be a traumatic experience even if it was just a bump.
The injuries that can be sustained vary in severity and include whiplash, recurring joint or ligament pain and damage or other chronic pain that could put you out of work for days, weeks or years.
Personal injury claims have been on the up for several years now and while many complain of a compensation culture, for many involved in an accident that changes their life, a claim is vital.
This article will look at the steps you should follow from accident to claim.
The first thing to do straight after the accident is make sure that it has been documented.
This could be in the form of a report in an accident book at work, taking pictures on a mobile phone of damage to your car or to you, gathering witness statements and anything else that proves that you were there at the time of the accident and that the incident took place.
If you under-go any treatment for your injuries whether it be medical, psychological or other, keep receipts and records of the treatments you had.
Keep a record and receipts of any costs that you personally incur as a direct result of the incident.
If you're injury has prevented you from working or cost you a considerable amount to sort, it may be worth your while to make a personal injury claim.
Many solicitors offer a free initial consultation so to help you decide whether you do want to go ahead, make an appointment.
Your solicitor may be able to offer a no win no fee agreement for your personal injury claim.
This means that unless your case is successful, you won't have to pay your solicitor.
Do be aware however that you may have to pick up the costs from the other side.
Confirm any possible costs with your solicitor before agreeing to anything.
Your solicitor will need some things from you to help your claim.
These include the dates of the accident, witness statements, details of injuries and some more.
You can find more information here: http://www.
lawsociety.
org.
uk/choosingandusing/commonlegalproblems/personalinjury.
page Make the most of your consultation by making a list of any questions or anything important you can think of.
Solicitors aren't the scary creatures that are often made out to be! After your meeting, ask your solicitor to send you a letter confirming that they are happy to take on your case, how long the process is likely to take, who your main contact in the firm should be and what the confirmed costs are at this stage.
If you are happy with the letter you should ask them to proceed.
Your solicitor will next contact the defendant in writing, informing them of the details of your injury and reminding them of when it took place.
They must then reply usually within three months to say whether they accept or deny liability for your injuries.
Your solicitor at this stage will have evaluated your claim and will put together a compensation figure that is deemed reasonable.
If they accept, the case may well be settled out of court.
If it is denied, your case can then be taken to court and put in front of a judge.
You will need to attend a hearing at the court that your solicitor will help you to prepare for.
The judge will then decide whether your case is valid for compensation and will agree the amount that is to be paid.