Sadly, road traffic accidents are a common occurrence, happening on a daily basis throughout the country. Have you been involved in a road traffic accident that was not your fault? If so, there is a very high chance that you will be entitled to compensation, and in this post, we will provide you with all of the information you need to know, including advice on hiring a solicitor in your area and tips for making a successful claim.
The first thing you need to do is determine whether you have the basis for a successful claim. Aside from proving that someone else is at fault for your suffering, you must have also seen a doctor for your injuries and the incident must have occurred within the past three years, as this is the time limit on all personal injury cases. If you still feel you have the grounds for compensation, the next step is to hire a solicitor.
Advice on hiring a solicitor
If you take a look at the Internet, you will see that you have an abundance of different solicitors to choose from. You should go for a solicitor that is happy to work to a no-win-no-fee payment agreement. By doing this, you will only need to pay legal fees if your case is a success. As per the experts at James Hoppe, it is always better to hire an attorney who has a considerable amount of experience when it comes to road traffic accident claims specifically. It is also advisable to read reviews that have been left by previous customers to see what they have had to say.
Top tips for securing compensation
Once you have hired a solicitor, they will largely be responsible for ensuring you get the full amount of compensation you deserve. However, this does not mean that you do not have a role to play. You should try to get the contact details of anyone that witnessed the incident, as witness statements can help to strengthen your case. Aside from this, you need to keep proof of any expenses you have encountered because of your injuries, such as treatment costs or vehicle repair expenses, as you will be able to claim for these as special damages.
Do you need to call the police?
You may be wondering whether you need to call the police and make an accident report regarding the incident. This depends on where you are based. In some states, it is mandatory for the police to be informed about all road traffic accidents. In others, this is not the case. However, there are a number of different situations whereby calling the police would be imperative. For example, if the person that caused the crash has fled from the scene, this is known as a hit and run, and it is a criminal offense, so you need to get in touch with the police as soon as you can. Moreover, if you have been involved in a car crash and the incident is causing a risk of more damage to oncoming traffic because you cannot move your vehicles out of the way, you will also need to get in touch with the police as soon as possible so that they can section off this part of the road and prevent any future damage.
A guide to claims for cycling accidents
Sadly accidents involving cyclists are not uncommon. Nonetheless, if you have been injured whilst on your bicycle and the incident was not as a consequence of your error there is every chance that you will be entitled to personal injury compensation. Read on to discover more about this…
Do you have a case for personal injury compensation?
This depends on whether you can prove the following to be true…
– The accident happened because of someone else’s negligence or error.
– The incident occurred within the last three years.
– You received professional medical attention for your injuries.
If these three statements apply to your case, there is a very high chance that you will be entitled to compensation?
What should you do if you have been involved in a cycling accident?
– Get the contact details of the person that caused the incident – their name, telephone number, address, details of their insurer and their registration number.
– Take photographs of any damage to your bike or the road.
– Get the contact details of any witnesses.
– See a doctor.
– Make a note of everything that occurred.
– Keep track and proof of any expenses that have been encountered because of your injury.
What will you be able to claim for if you have sustained an injury whilst cycling?
– General damages for the injury itself
– Medication costs
– Treatment expenses
– Travel costs
– The cost of having your bike repaired or replaced
– Loss of income
– Childcare fees
– … And much, much more!
Do you need to see a doctor for injuries sustained in a road traffic accident?
People suffer injuries on a daily basis thanks to the fast pace of modern life. Such incidents can occur in a whole host of different ways – from accidents in the workplace, to road traffic incidents, to slips and trips. The situations vary. Nonetheless, no matter what has happened to you, there is one consistent factor and this is the need to see a doctor.
A lot of people go to make no win no fee claims and then are disappointed to discover they don’t have the basis to make a case. One of the main reasons why this is the case is because they fail to see a medical professional. This is a common occurrence when people suffer minor injuries. There are those that literally hate the thought of going to see a doctor and thus will only go if they have to. If they have sustained a minor injury they elect to cope with the injuries themselves. However, if you do this you will find it impossible to make a claim, as there will be no proof of your injuries.
This is something that happens a lot of whiplash injuries. Whiplash is a type of injury that often occurs as the result of a road traffic accident, as it happens when the head jolts forward and then back. This is what typically happens in a car accident. Because the symptoms of whiplash often do not reveal themselves right away, people assume they are fine, and so they simply go home after the crash. However, whiplash symptoms tend to then appear after a couple of hours, and sometimes even a couple of days. This is why it is vital to make sure you see a doctor straight after the crash regardless of how you are feeling.
Answering your common queries
How do I know if I am entitled to compensation? Essentially it comes down to blame. Who caused the incident? You will need to prove that someone else acted negligently or erroneously and this resulted in your suffering. If you caused a car crash for example, then you will not be able to claim. However, if you were partially to blame, you still may be entitled to a small sum of compensation.
Can I make a claim if the perpetrator fled the scene? If you have been involved in a hit and run you will still be able to make a compensation claim. The process can be a little bit more complex. Nonetheless, this is something quality accident lawyers can help you with.
How long do I have to make a claim? The time limit on all personal injury claims is three years from the date of the incident. Therefore, if you were involved in a motorbike accident on the 5th August 2018 you will have until 5th August 2021 to make a claim. Please note that court proceedings must be issued within this time frame.
Do I need to see a doctor? The simple answer to this question is yes. If you do not see a medical professional you will find it extremely difficult to make a claim. The medical report is imperative when building a strong case. Without it, how are you going to prove that you ever suffered any injuries in the first place?
I don’t have any money to make a claim, is there anything I can do? You should look into no win no fee accident lawyers in your local area. By doing this you will not be required to make a big payment upfront to start the claim process. Financial risk is eliminated as well, as you will only pay legal fees if your case is a success. All of our solicitors work on this basis.
Will I need to go to court? It is highly unlikely. Did you know that less than three per cent of personal injury cases actually end up going to court? It is in the interest of all parties to sort out the matter as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of everything you need to know if you have been injured on the road.