01329 822 333
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elitusmut labore etsectetur adipiscing dolore magna aliqua 
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time and dealing with the legal consequences can be an overwhelming and daunting prospect. Our personal injury lawyers at Churchers are here for you every step of the way through this process.
We cover all aspects of personal injury including, but not limited to, criminal injury, road traffic accidents, workplace injury, injury in the home and injury resulting in fatality.
To make sure we achieve the best results for your claim, we have compiled a list of our top ten tips on how and what to consider when thinking about a legal claim for a personal injury.
1) Make Sure You Seek Out Medical Advice
If you have been involved in an incident and have been injured, physically or mentally, it is important you seek a professional’s advice and/or diagnosis before making any kind of claim. Not only will this help your overall recovery but will time stamp the incident, in which you may need to refer back to later.
It’s important to note that failure to go through this process may decrease the amount of damages you are able to recover.
It’s also important to note that in road traffic accidents, we recommend you note down the offending drivers’ vehicle registration number and any damage that they caused, which can be used as future evidence.
2) Make The Claim Immediately
To make sure you get the best out of a bad situation, put in your personal injury claim as soon as possible. Processing a claim as soon as you can will ensure all the details of the incident are fresh in your mind and there is less chance of any important fact going missing.
If you choose to wait until you can no longer work, this can lead to even worse financial problems and make the claim much more difficult to pursue.
3) Be Careful With What You Say In Person And Online
Particularly at the scene of the incident, be careful to avoid making statements that could make things more difficult in the future. You are under no obligation to state whose fault the incident was or offer up any additional information.
Take care with what you post on social media. Potential insurers often view anything that is published in the public domain and can misinterpret what you might think is a casual remark to a friend or your family.
4) Keep A Record Of Your Journey
As soon as the incident happens make sure you keep a record of anything that may be relevant to your claim. This could include things such as hospital bills, insurance records, care and assistance received from friends and family because of the accident, medical diagnosis papers and records of any loss of wages if the incident has caused you to miss work without pay.
5) Do Your Own Research Into The Legal Process And The Type Of Solicitor You Will Need To Hire
If you are feeling a bit confused by the legal process, make sure you seek advice about the local rules that apply in your area as not all personal injury claims are the same. Having some basic guidelines will help you through the process and alleviate some of the stress.
It is important to remember that not all personal injury lawyers have the same skills, and may be trained specialists in certain areas. There may be a solicitor more suitable to your situation than another.
6) Don’t Sign Any Form Of Documentation Unless You Have Full Understanding Of It
Make sure you take time to read through any documentation regarding the claim before you sign on the dotted line. Be aware that some forms may be sent to you some time after the incident has happened.
Be especially cautious if the document asks you to waive your right to a solicitor or release the other party from liability. Also pay particular attention to funding agreements and make sure you understand what deductions will be made before signing any document.
7) Don’t Be Tempted To Accept The First Offer You Get From An Insurer
If this is your first experience dealing with a legal matter it can be tempting to just accept the first sum of money that is offered to you by an insurer. Don’t!
Until you have completed a full medical examination and the case has been checked by a solicitor, resist settling the claim as there may be future costs that have not yet been identified.
8) Avoid Settling The Claim On Your Own
If you are not sure what it is you need to do, trying to settle a claim on your own can be a complicated process. Working with a solicitor that you have selected, will help reduce any costly mistakes that could be detrimental to the case and avoid any negative impacts on the overall claim.
This is especially important if the other party is also using a solicitor, as this can be very intimidating.
9) Don’t Feel Embarrassed
It is quite common for someone to feel awkward and embarrassed about submitting a personal injury claim. Do not be put off by what other people may think about you claiming on an incident as it is personal to you.
10) Find A Personal Injury Solicitor You Can Trust
Taking the first step in submitting a personal injury claim can be a daunting process, but it’s important to remember that your insurer is there to provide financial support and a trusted solicitor, which you can find at our firm. We are all on your side and are here to help you through what can be a difficult time.
If you have any questions or wish to seek advice on any matter concerning personal injury claims, please contact Claire Bond or someone from her team on 023 9282 0747.
