Accident Claims - A Solicitor's Guide

If you have had an accident that caused you a personal injury within the last three years, then you may be entitled to claim for compensation. The accident must have involved a 3rd party whom are partly or fully to blame. Examples of such accidents are those caused at work, in road traffic incidents and slips or trips in a public area, including public transport.

The First Steps.

Your accident claims solicitor will need to take details of the circumstances of the accident in a meeting with you. Your solicitor will use all the relevant facts from your accident to establish who is legally to blame. They can then advise you as to the prospects of success and consider the funding of the action. Your solicitor can explain to you the option of entering into a Conditional Fee Agreement, sometimes known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. After the necessary information is assembled, your solicitor will then write to the third party or the insurance company setting out the reasons why you hold them to be responsible for the accident.

What you should do.

It is crucial that all documents relevant to the accident are accessible but safe. These will include:

- Any expenses and receipts relating to your injuries e.g. receipts for taxis and any prescriptions, as well as for any specially adapted equipment that you have had to buy.

- All documents relating to your treatment eg hospital appointment cards.

- Keeping a diary of the accident's effects can be very helpful.

- If the claim is against your employer you will need your contract of employment and your job description.

- All payslips from you pre and post accident employers should be kept for reference.

Evidence that you will need.

- The evidence in support of your claim for the personal injuries you have suffered will be in the form of a medical report. The accident claim solicitor will use his/her experiences in order to select the correct medical expert for your particular injuries. For example, if you have muscular-skeletal injuries you will need to obtain medical advice from a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, whereas in cases of physical deformities the advice will be sought from a Consultant Plastic Surgeon.

- If you have suffered a serious injury then it is likely that we will have to obtain more than one medical report.

You will also need evidence in support of your specific losses and future losses, such as loss of earnings, by way of receipts, payslips, P60s and audited accounts where necessary.

Personal injury claims are often multifaceted and require detailed legal advice from a specialised accident claim solicitor. It is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible as legal time limits apply in these type of cases.


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Tim Bishop is senior partner at Bonallack & Bishop, a firm of experienced no win no fee solicitors specialising in accident claims. He is responsible for all major strategic decisions, seeing himself as a businessman who owns a law firm. Tim has expanded the firm by 1000% in 12 years and has plans for its continued development.