How Do I Make A Personal Injury Claim Following An Accident?

Whatever the accident, whether it was a road traffic accident, a workplace accident, an accident while visiting a public place, or while abroad, if you have suffered personal injury as a result, then you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim for compensation. This may include interim payments to help with funding specialist treatments that will aid your recovery while your personal injury claim is ongoing.

Depending on the severity of your injuries you may find it appropriate to write a letter of complaint to the organisation that you think is responsible, to explain what happened and what compensation you want. It is also possible to request mediation to negotiate a settlement, or you may wish to take legal action.

It is important to note however, that there are time limits to when you must begin legal action. Please be aware that if the accident was due to negligence then court proceedings must usually be issued within 3 years of the accident.

For this reason it is advisable to get legal advice as soon as possible after an accident if you want to make a personal injury claim. Also, there are many reasons why accidents occur and it may not be obvious at first who was responsible for the accident, or who you should make a claim against. For example an accident at work could be the result of faulty equipment, which could result in a claim against the manufacturer of the equipment rather than your employer. Sometimes the most appropriate action is to make a claim against business insurers. Talking through your situation and options with a professional will give you the information that you need to make the best decisions on how to proceed.

Whichever route you decide to take it is important that you gather as much evidence as possible regarding the event, such as photos, details from witnesses, and records of any medical treatments that you may have received. You may need to consult specialists to find out how long your injuries will take to heal and to find out if there are any long-term impacts of your injuries.

Compensation for personal injuries is split into three parts (known as ‘heads of damage’), which are the consideration of what you have lost, what you may lose or need in the future, and how much you have suffered as a result of the accident. It will be necessary to gather as much information as possible regarding these considerations, from the cost of travel for treatment to potential adaptations to your home, or missed career opportunities as a result of any injuries.

Even minor injuries can be very painful and disrupt your everyday life. It is unacceptable to simply put up with these consequences due to someone else’s negligence. You have a right to redress and to help.

Whatever the accident or the injuries that you have suffered as a result, please contact us to discuss your individual situation.