Accident claims: What to do
When you’ve suffered an injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, knowing what to do isn’t always clear. But one thing you might know you want to do is to get justice for what happened to you.
Accident claims for compensation can help you get some peace of mind. It can force the person or organisation responsible for your accident to admit liability – something that could help you come to terms with what happened.
We know how difficult it can be to know what to focus on first when it comes to accident claims. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help.
After an injury
Regardless of the way you were injured – whether it was in a road traffic accident, an accident at work or any other incident – there are some things you should do straight away.
First, if you’re able, check whether anyone else has been hurt. If you or another person need emergency medical care, call 999 as soon as you can. Try not to move too much if you’ve been seriously hurt. This can help prevent further injury.
If your personal injury was not severe enough to require immediate medical care, you should first tell an authority about what has happened. Who this is will depend on the situation you find yourself in.
For example, if you’ve been hurt in a car accident, the police need to be informed. Meanwhile, if you’re injured at work, make sure you tell your supervisor and any health and safety representative. And if you’ve suffered an injury in a supermarket, tell the store manager.
Then you’ll need to arrange medical treatment. This could be by visiting A&E or making an appointment with your GP. Just don’t leave it too late – some injuries may not initially be noticeable but could lead to complications. Accident claims can also rely on your medical records to prove how you were injured.
Another important form of evidence you can get right when you are hurt is photographic. If you can, take photos and video of the accident, the environment and your injury. These could be vital later on.
Gather your evidence
After an injury, an accident claim can help you get your life back on track. To help you put the strongest case possible forward, you’ll need evidence. So it can be hugely beneficial to start gathering your evidence before starting the process of making a claim.
Your medical records will play a big part in your claim. Your solicitor will usually get hold of your medical records for you. They will also typically arrange for you to have a medical assessment by an expert professional. This will help to show just how your injury has affected your health.
If anyone else present when you had your accident, they can provide a witness statement to strengthen your case. Make sure you get their details at the time of the accident and find out whether they’ll be willing to provide a statement. They could be colleagues if you were hurt at work or pedestrians if you had a car accident.
You can also provide a statement of your own. In it, you can detail what happened and how it has affected you. This could be because you’ve had to give up work or a hobby you loved.
As well as photos of what happened when you had the accident, you should also keep taking photos of how your injury is progressing. This will help to document how long it takes for you to recover and how badly you were hurt in the first place.
Get some help
Knowing who to turn to can be difficult. When you’ve been hurt, you might need to rely on those around you for support. But you might also decide that you want to pursue legal action. And you’ll need help to do that.
Accident claims are civil cases that can help you get the justice you’re entitled to. The solicitors First4Lawyers work with are experts in their sector. This means that if you decide to get help from us, you’ll be getting help from some of the best.
Your solicitor will work to get you the maximum compensation to help you get back on your feet.
Our No Win No Fee accident claims service means you won’t face any financial risk and you’ll only pay a fee if your claim is successful. This can be hugely reassuring during such a distressing time, when you have so many other things on your mind.
If you’re not sure whether we might be able to help you, just get in touch. We’re happy to talk you through the accident claims process and whether you are eligible.
Accidents you can claim for
There are a huge number of accidents you can make a claim for. In general, if you were the victim of someone else’s negligence – including that of a company – in the last three years, you could make a claim. Some of the most common types of accident claims include:
Road traffic accidents
Regardless of what kind of road user you are, if you were hurt in a road accident that wasn’t your fault, you could claim compensation.
Accidents at work
Your employer has a duty of care to you and your colleagues to ensure you are safe. If they have been negligent in this duty, you could make a workplace accident claim.
Medical negligence
These incidents are rare but they can be devastating. If you have been the victim of medical negligence, you could be able to make a claim.
Slip, trip or fall
You should be safe when you’re out and about. If you suffer a slip, trip or fall in a public place, such as a supermarket or on council property, you could take legal action.
If you think you have an accident claim, give us a free call, request a call back or start your claim online. We’re here to help you through.
