Ten Ways to Safeguard your Compensation Claim
1. Obtain names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses and keep them safe - they could be crucial later on.
2. Do see your G.P. or (in appropriate circumstances) the Accident and Emergency Department of your local hospital.
3. Ensure that the doctor treating you accurately records the circumstances of your accident and the injuries you have sustained. (Note - it is not a good idea to tell the treating doctor that a claim is to be made as this can affect the treating doctor's assessment of the genuineness of symptoms.)
4. Keep receipts of all expenses you incur such as taxi fares, replacement of damaged items of clothing, prescriptions, private medical treatment etc. It will assist in the recovery of these items of expenditure if receipts are provided.
5. Keep a diary detailing the care and assistance you have received from friends and family necessitated by your injury, e.g. help in getting dressed, help with housework, etc. It is possible to claim damages for the care received even if this has not been paid for.
6. Consider taking photographs and measurements at the scene of your accident. It is usually, however, important to take early legal advice to ensure that such evidence is collected professionally. For example, if photographs are not taken of a defect to a pavement which you have tripped over before it is repaired by the local authority, this can reduce your chances of success in your claim.
7. If you have been involved in a road traffic accident and your car is off the road, it is advisable to obtain specialist legal advice straight away. If the accident was somebody else's fault, we as specialists in road traffic accident claims will, in all likelihood, be able to provide you with a hire car on credit and if you are not insured fully comprehensively arrange for the repair of your car, again on credit, i.e. the cost of the car hire and repairs will be claimed from the other driver's insurers at the conclusion of a successful claim.
8. It is important to remember that when you have been involved in a road traffic accident involving personal injury, details of the accident must be reported to the police as soon as possible and in any event within 24 hours. You may be committing a criminal offence if you do not do so. When notified, the police will carry out investigations and prepare a report which may help you with your claim.
9. If you have some form of legal expenses insurance, remember that such policies are of variable quality and the worst examples achieve little more than to assign a solicitor to your claim who is not of your choosing. Get independent advice first. A solicitor of your choosing (ourselves included) can usually help with the terms of any reputable legal expenses policy which you hold. Remember you do have the right to choose your own solicitor.
10. If you are housebound or in hospital, there is no reason to wait to contact a solicitor. We can arrange a home or hospital visit to provide you with the advice that you need at your convenience.
We have extensive experience of dealing with all types of compensation claims. Even if you are not sure, whether you have a valid personal injury compensation claim, you can telephone us now FREE on 0800 24 34 09 for confidential advice or you can contact our accident compensation solicitors online.
Remember it won't cost you a penny to pursue your claim and we guarantee 100% compensation.