Personal Injury FAQs
Questions:
- Personal Injury FAQs
- Are you connected to a Claims Management Company?
- Who has the right to claim compensation for injuries or illness sustained after an accident?
- What types of accidents can I claim compensation for?
- When should I claim?
- Do I need to keep any details after the accident?
- What can I claim for?
- What will it cost?
- Is it complicated to make a compensation claim?
- Can my employer dismiss me if I'm claiming for an accident at work or illness at work?
- How long will my compensation claim take?
- How much is my case worth?
- What is no win no fee?
- Will I be kept informed?
- Will I have to go to Court?
- What should I do now?
- I'm not happy with my solicitor. The insurance company says that I can't change - is this right?
Answers:
- Are you connected to a Claims Management Company?
Definitely NOT. We are specialist accident compensation and personal injury solicitors accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. As a firm, we have successfully won cases on behalf of clients who have not received their compensation in full due to the terms imposed by these types of companies.
As accident and personal injury specialists, we are recommended as a leading law firm by the prestigious 'Legal 500'. Amongst our accident and personal injury lawyers, we have members on the Solicitors Regulation Authority Personal Injury Panel, members of APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) and Headway's Brain Injuries Association Personal Injury Solicitors List.
- Who has the right to claim compensation for injuries or illness sustained after an accident?
The basic rule is that if some other party is to blame in any way (even if you were also partly to blame) for the accident, then you may have a claim for accident compensation.
Generally, you must bring a compensation claim within 3 years of the accident or incident (unless you were under 18 at the time, you did not know you were injured, or other unusual circumstances apply, in which cases the time limits may be different).
It is important to get advice from qualified personal injury and accident solicitors as soon as possible so that the evidence to support your compensation claim can be obtained quickly.
- What types of accidents can I claim compensation for?
Claims for accident and personal injury compensation can include for example: road accidents, accidents at work, accidents abroad, trips, slips and falls, accidents on landlord property, motorbike accidents, industrial diseases, military accidents, fatal accidents, chronic pain, accidents due to faulty goods, serious accidents and injuries, sporting accidents, illnesses caused by working conditions and many more.
- When should I claim?
You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. There is generally a 3 year time limit to claim (subject to certain exceptions, including for example, children under 18 or somebody who did not realise they were injured).
Contact our accident solicitors online or call for a FREE consultation on 0800 24 34 09 to find out whether we can help with your accident compensation claim.
- Do I need to keep any details after the accident?
If you are able to, it is a good idea to try and get the names and addresses of any witnesses to the accident and if necessary take a photo of the scene.
If you incur any expenses (e.g. taxi receipts, prescriptions etc) keep the receipts as they will assist in recovering any money you have spent as part of your compensation claim. It is also a good idea to keep a diary detailing any care or help you have received from friends/family due to your injury or illness (e.g. help in getting dressed, housework etc.) Your personal injury solicitor should advise you of what details you should keep to help with your compensation claim.
- What can I claim for?
Generally, you can claim compensation for personal injury, loss of earnings, medical treatment and expenses such as car repairs. Speak to one of our Freeclaim Solicitors for more information.
- What will it cost?
As specialist accident solicitors, we take all cases on a no win no fee basis. Therefore you don't have a penny to pay (win or lose) and under our double guarantee, you keep all of your compensation - we make no deductions. Our fees are recovered from the other side.
- Is it complicated to make a compensation claim?
There is no reason why the compensation claims process needs to be complicated. Your accident solicitor is there as an expert representing you and will act in your best interests. They will explain how the claims process works and will help with any paperwork and should make the process as simple and as stress free as possible for you.
- Can my employer dismiss me if I'm claiming for an accident at work or illness at work?
Your employer does not have grounds to dismiss you just for making an accident claim or industrial illness claim - if they do, it could amount to unfair dismissal. Your employer by law has to have insurance which covers them for accidents therefore you will normally be claiming against your employer's insurers and they will pay any accident compensation not your employer.
- How long will my compensation claim take?
It is very difficult to predict with any accuracy how long an individual case will take as this depends on a number of factors including when, if at all, the Defendant admits liability, the severity of your injuries and the willingness of the Defendant to make a reasonable offer. Your personal injury lawyer should be able to give you guidance on how long your compensation claim could take.
- How much is my case worth?
This depends on the severity of your injuries and what other losses you have incurred as a result of the accident. The correct valuation is an essential part of your accident solicitor's expertise and people are often surprised at how much their accident claim is valued at.
- What is no win no fee?
No win no fee means that you won't have to pay a penny to pursue your compensation claim. You should always ensure you are dealing with a solicitor on a no win no fee basis AND who ensures you receive 100% compensation.
At Freeclaim Solicitors, we operate a DOUBLE GUARANTEE whereby you won't have to pay a penny win or lose (our fees will be recovered from our opponents) and we guarantee that you receive your compensation in full - 100%. Plus, all enquiries are free and there is no obligation.
- Will I be kept informed?
Definitely. At Freeclaim Solicitors, as part of our Client Care Charter, we will keep you up to date regularly with the progress of your case and respond promptly to any queries.
- Will I have to go to Court?
Generally, most cases are settled without going to court. Less than 2% of cases go to trial.
- What should I do now?
Speak to one of our accident solicitors who will quickly assess your case. You can call free on 0800 24 34 09 for immediate advice, or complete a brief case assessment online and we will call you back as soon as possible.
- I'm not happy with my solicitor. The insurance company says that I can't change - is this right?
No. Insurance companies sometimes tell clients that they must use a solicitor on their panel - this is incorrect. Many of the solicitors can also be located far away and do not offer home visits. All accident victims are free to instruct a personal injury solicitor of their choice and if they're not happy with their current solicitor, they can speak to another personal injury solicitor to transfer their case.
If you're unhappy, call Freeclaim Solicitor today. All enquiries are free and we offer free home visits. As a firm, we are recommended by the Legal 500 for our personal injury work. Contact our accident solicitors online or call to speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor 0800 24 34 09.
What our clients say
G.Q.,
I would like to mention the level of service I received from my solicitor was excellent. She kept me up to date with any developments and was always available when I had any questions. I would have no hesitation in recommending Freeclaim.