Q) How long after my accident do I have to make a claim for compensation? Do I have to make a visit to my GP?
A) The simple answer to this question is normally 3 years from the date of the accident. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, if you were a child at the time of the accident or if you have been affected by an industrial disease, you may have longer to bring your personal injury claim for compensation.
We can advise you about this in more detail during our initial free discussion.
Q) Do I have to make a visit to a GP?
A) If you have suffered injuries, no matter how small, it is sensible to visit your GP. Your injuries and visit will be recorded on your medical records which will be used as evidence.
Q) What compensation can I claim?
A) There are many types of compensation that can be claimed. You are entitled to compensation for your injury and financial losses suffered as a direct result of your accident to put you back in the financial position you would have been in had the accident not occurred.
Q) How much compensation am I likely to receive?
A) It is very difficult to estimate how much compensation a person will receive until the full circumstances of your accident and injuries are known. Contrary to popular belief, there is no standard amount of compensation for any particular type of injury.
Our personal injury calculator will give you an indication of the amount you may receive. Your compensation claim will however be dealt with individually and on its own merits.
Q) Do I have to visit you at the office?
A) No. We can deal with your claim by letter, telephone or e-mail which eliminates the need for you to take time out to visit us at our offices. However, if you would like to have a face to face meeting, we can arrange that.
Q) Will I have to pay legal costs?
A) No. We provide a free legal consultation to all of our personal injury clients. There are a number of different ways to fund your claim. Which funding option you choose will depend upon your individual circumstances and the facts of your potential claim.
Because we recover our costs from the responsible party's insurers, you will not be asked to pay anything to us to pursue your claim. If we take your case on, you can be sure that win or lose, our service will not cost you a penny.
Q) Can a child claim?
A) Yes. The basic rule is that you have three years from your child's 18th birthday to make a claim for compensation.
Q) There are no witnesses - can I still claim?
A) Quite possibly. It depends on the circumstances. Why not take advantage of our free initial interview (by telephone or in person) to discuss the case in more detail. We can give you our expert opinion on whether you have a claim.
Q) The other driver was not insured - can I still claim?
A) Yes. You can still claim but your claim will be against the Motor Insurers Bureau under the Uninsured Driver's Scheme.
Q) The other driver cannot be identified - can I still claim?
A) Yes. This normally happens in so-called hit and run accidents. You can still claim against the Motor Insurers Bureau under the Untraced Driver's Scheme.
Q) I think I was partly to blame - can I claim?
A) Yes. If you are held partly to blame your compensation may be reduced. For example, if you were found to be one third to blame for the accident, your compensation would be reduced by 33%.
Q) I think I was fully to blame - can I claim?
A) Maybe. Often people think they are to blame but in practice they are not or someone else is also partly to blame. This applies particularly in accidents at work. Often the employer has broken some legal duty and as a result there is a valid claim for compensation.
Q) Will I have to go to Court to obtain my compensation?
A) Maybe. Very few personal injury claims proceed to Court. If there is no dispute regarding who was at fault for the accident and no dispute about the level of injuries sustained, an insurance company will rather settle the claim outside of court to avoid paying the bill for the increased legal costs.
Where there is a dispute you may have to attend Court. However, we will talk you through the whole process to ensure you are comfortable with it long before the final decision needs to be made.
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