If you’ve been injured in an accident which wasn’t your fault, then you’ll certainly have enough to deal with in the immediate aftermath, that’s why we’ve put together the top 10 things you should know when making a personal injury claim.
Healthcare, recovery and any rehabilitation will demand a lot of your attention and time. There’s also the matter of seeking justice for the accident which you were unwittingly involved in and pursuing the personal injury claim compensation which you are legally entitled to.
The very thought of making a personal injury claim might fill you with a sense of dread. What do I have to do? Who do I need to speak to? Is it worth the hassle? Will I get turned down? While the questions might seem endless, the answers however are far simpler and stress-free than you might have imagined.
Let DIYPI Steer You in the Right Direction with Your Personal Injury Claim Journey
We outlined 10 key things you should be aware of when making a personal injury claim for compensation, to help you make the right choices throughout your claim. And of course, our team will be by your side through the whole thing, to answer any questions you may have along the way. Basically, we’re encouraging you to do it yourself, with a little bit of help from us.
1. Get Help From the Experts
First things first, and it’s imperative that you seek advice from a personal injury specialist if an accident has befallen you. Then we can actively pursue your claim on your behalf. There’s nothing we don’t know about personal injury claims, be they sustained in a road traffic accident, workplace accident or through a case of clinical negligence. Our nationwide personal injury claims service will guide and support you if you ever find yourself in an accident that wasn’t your fault. By choosing us to manage your personal injury claims journey, we’ll take care of everything, meaning all you need to worry about is getting your life back on track.
2. Obtaining Proof of Negligence
Call it the blame game or liability, but ultimately someone is responsible for the accident which resulted in your personal injury. It’s crucial that you help us to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a party was culpable by their negligent actions. They could be an individual, an employer, a business, an organisation or a public service provider.
3. Make – and Keep – Notes About Your Accident
Ensure that you document all the principal details surrounding your accident as soon as you can. Core information which will always strengthen a personal injury claim typically include:
- Confirmation of what happened to you
- When it occurred (date and time, etc)
- Where it occurred (address, road names, any company/organisation details, etc)
- Description of the injuries you sustained (noting the medical treatment you required both at the scene and in the aftermath)
- Any other parties involved (names and addresses are very important when it comes to proving liability)
- Taking down registration plates of the other vehicles cited in the accident (should it have been an RTA)
- Compilation of personal details of any witnesses who saw the accident unfold
- Report the accident to the police
- Keep your insurance company in the loop
4. Images Build Bigger Pictures with Personal Injury Claims
The best way to strengthen a personal injury claim case is to include photographic and video material. In terms of what imagery should be captured on camera phone footage we’re referring to the location of the accident (road, pavement, office/warehouse), the cause of the accident (spillage, unseen obstacle, defective equipment), dashcam footage (especially in RTA cases), vehicle of property damage sustained, and any visible injuries to your person, such as bruising or lacerations, for example. Along with photographic and video evidence, noting significant measurements are also useful to personal injury solicitors.
5. Make an Accident Report
If your accident happens in the workplace then it’s imperative that it’s officially recorded. Reporting it to a supervisor or manager is equally as important as logging all the core details in an employers’ accident book. Should your accident occur on retail premises or in other public spaces, then again, this needs to be reported to staff members and acknowledged in an accident book. As mentioned above, in the event of an RTA, then the details of all parties involved need to be exchanged at the scene, with particular emphasis on vehicle registration numbers for future reference.
6. File Any Losses or Expenses Incurred, Post-accident
If you experience any financial losses after being involved in an accident of any sort which was someone else’s fault, then this information needs to be journaled. As should receipts for any expenses run up, as a direct consequence of the personal injury you sustained. Primarily we’re talking about travel expenses, the costs of medication, loss of earnings and the value of any damaged items/personal property.
7. Acquire Medical Evidence
To lend substantial support to your personal injury claim, it’s necessary to consult with medical professionals, either at the scene of where the accident takes place or as soon as possible thereafter. Be this at hospital or your local GP practice, depending on the severity of the injury. Whilst collating medical information pertaining specifically to the accident in situ, we will ensure that you have access to independent and impartial healthcare experts once we’ve been instructed to take on your personal injury case. On the back of this, a far-reaching medical report will be put together to accompany your claim for compensation.
8. Diarize Impact of Your Personal Injury
Keeping notes on the impact of your injury will pay dividends in the long run. Recalling any care you received from family, friends or professionals due to the extent and legacy of your injuries is always advised. Chronicling ways in which your day-to-day life has been adversely affected by your post-accident physical and mental health status. You can include how work, everyday activities and your social life have changed, which will ultimately help shape compensation figure outcomes.
9. You and Your Personal Injury Claim Are Unique to Us
Your claim is unique. There’s no one size fits all approach to personal injury claims, despite many appearing similar on face value. We provide bespoke claims journeys and approach each case diligently to establish the precise nature and impacts of it from day one, with the help of clinical expert witnesses.
10. Some Aspects of Personal Injury Claims Have Changed
If you’re looking to pursue compensation for a small personal injury claim relating to a road traffic accident (whiplash-related and for an injury worth less than £5,000), there has been some changes from the government relating these types of claims. The Official Injury Claims Portal created by the Ministry of Justice was created for those suffering from low-cost whiplash injuries to run their own claims without the support of a solicitor. However, we can still help you with these types of claims, by running the whole process for you without the need for you to navigate the potentially complicated portal.
And don’t forget the 11th thing you need to know when making a personal injury claim….
You have a limited time to start the compensation ball rolling. A maximum of 3 years from the date in which the accident took place and the subsequent personal injury befell you. This ruling applies to the majority of personal injury claims pursued, so as to conform with stipulations surrounding any court proceedings which might ensue.
We hope this guide gives you a better insight into the things you need to know and do when making a personal injury claim. However, for more information about any aspect of claims management be sure to get in touch with our friendly team today. Or start your claim right here.
