Car Accidents and Injury Claims – A Five Step Checklist

Being involved in a car accident can be an incredibly traumatic experience, even if you are lucky enough to escape unhurt. The inevitable paperwork and time spent on the phone to your insurance company is a hassle most people would rather avoid.

If you are hurt in the accident, however, things can be much worse. Not only do you have to overcome the physical consequences of the accident - the pain and inconvenience caused by your injuries, but you may be faced with financial repercussions. Treatment costs and physiotherapy bills can mount up, especially if your injuries mean you're unable to work. In this instance, making an injury claim with a personal injury solicitor in order to recover your losses may be a sensible option.

1. Find out if you're eligible to make an injury claim

There are a number of different injuries that can be sustained in a car accident, the most common injury being whiplash. Caused by a sudden impact, whiplash can result in ongoing pain in the neck and back, and can even cause dizziness and loss of feeling in the shoulders and arms. Lower limb and ankle injuries are also common among road accident victims, especially where a head-on collision causes movement in the driver's pedals.

It's important to remember that injury claims can be made for any type of injury. To make a claim, you must be able to prove the accident was someone else's fault.

2. Get the right help with your injury claim

There are lots of claims companies out there, all offering a no win no fee injury claims service. Choosing the right solicitor isn't a decision to be taken lightly - the right solicitor can make your life a whole lot easier. Things to bear in mind include the level of experience held and whether they can guarantee that you receive 100% of compensation awarded or if they deduct fees from it. Also, it may be more efficient to deal with a solicitor in your local area to speed up communication and avoid any unnecessary travel expenses.

3. What if you were involved in a car accident abroad?

If the accident took place within Europe, you can claim compensation from the ‘at-fault' driver's insurance company with the help of an injury claims solicitor in the UK. The Fourth European Union Motor Insurance Directive (2003) has made it considerably easier for someone involved in a road accident in Europe to claim compensation by requiring the faulty party's insurance company to nominate a representative in the injured party's country to handle the claim.

If, on the other hand, the accident took place outside of Europe, UK solicitors can help you pursue your injury claim in the country where the accident took place.

4. The more information you have the better

The more information you have regarding your claim the better. Details can be the difference between a successful claim and an unsuccessful one. Retain all correspondence with insurance companies and any receipts you have for the treatment of injuries. Additionally, keep all details recorded at the time of the accident, this may include photos of the damage to the vehicles involved or the contact details of witnesses.

5. Timing is crucial

Most claims companies are only able to help with injury claims if the accident took place within the last three years. The sooner the claim is initiated the better, as the details of the accident will be much clearer to all parties involved.

National Accident Helpline are experts in injury claims. Find out what your claim could be worth using the tailored compensation calculator.