Following on from the Law society’s recent twitter hour we thought it would be useful to summarise some of the key points that were highlighted to give you a better understanding of the personal injury claims process.
The process of making a personal injury claim can vary depending on the type of accident and the type of injuries suffered.
In general, the first step is to get the Defendant to admit that they were at fault. In some cases, this can be straightforward and liability can be established early on however in other cases your solicitor may be required to argue liability throughout. Solicitors will often need to obtain detailed witness statements in order to argue the case and they may be required to carry out a number of site inspections in order to establish what happened. Trying to find out who was to blame for the accident can often be very difficult especially if it’s just your word against the defendants. It is always advisable to get as much information as you can at the time of the accident. Photographs and details of anyone that saw what happened are always vital in personal injury claims.
The next step is to obtain medical evidence. Depending on the severity of your injuries you may need to see a number of experts in order for a final prognosis to be given. Medical experts often recommend treatment in order to assist with your recovery and we can look to obtain this treatment for you on a private basis to get you back to full fitness as soon as possible. It is once we have the final prognosis that solicitors are able to value your injuries and thereafter enter into negotiations with the Defendants to try and settle the matter.
In addition to the medical evidence, solicitors will also obtain information about your out of pocket expenses, these expenses include things such as travel expenses, medication expenses and loss of earnings to name a few. It’s always useful to keep receipts where possible so that these can be claimed back easily.
There are lots of issues that can arise in personal injury claims so it is important to contact a solicitor as soon as possible. If you have been involved in an accident and suffered injury and loss then contact Rhian Lowe on 01206 700113 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.