The last thing on your mind if you have been in a traffic accident will probably be whether you can claim compensation or not. Physical and psychological injury for such incidents, however, can not only affect your day to day life but also have financial implications both in the short and long term.
If you are not able to work because of your injuries or need specialist treatment, for instance, claiming compensation for a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault is going to be important. It’s important to sit down with a qualified personal injury solicitor when this happens and talk through your options.
When Can You Claim Compensation?
If you have been involved in a road traffic accident, you can claim compensation if it wasn’t your fault and the other driver or someone else was to blame. You may be able to claim if it was partially your fault but not entirely – the level of compensation you receive, however, will certainly be less. You cannot make a personal injury claim if the road traffic accident was entirely your fault.
Of course, the circumstances of a road traffic accident will vary from case to case. Some people aren’t even sure whether they have a right to claim or not.
When To Seek Legal Advice
You need to contact a solicitor as soon as possible after the accident to discuss your situation. This is going to depend on how serious your injuries are in the first place but the quicker you can talk through everything, the better. A solicitor will not only be able to look at the legal side of the accident but also make sure you have access to services like rehabilitation if you need them.
At Forster Dean, we offer a no win no fee service. That means you don’t have to worry about finding the upfront costs for any legal action. You only pay when the case has been successful and you have been awarded compensation. At this time, we normally charge a percentage of the settlement which is agreed beforehand.
How Long Will the Claim Take?
This will depend on the nature of the claim and the whether the person who you think is responsible admits their liability. A relatively minor injury such as whiplash can often be settled within a few months. More serious injuries can take longer as medical evidence is gathered. If there is no admission of liability, you may have to wait until any criminal case is resolved before settling a full claim.
There can also be delays if the person causing the accident cannot be found. For example, if you have been the victim of a hit and run, it may take time to bring the perpetrator to justice.
How Much Compensation Will I Get?
This is going to depend on the nature of the injuries and the impact on your life. For serious injuries, for example, you may suffer permanent disability and have to make modifications to your home, you may have had time off work or you might have ongoing medical expenses. All this will be taken into account when considering the final settlement.
Making a Claim
If you have been involved in a road traffic accident and it wasn’t your fault, contact the personal injury legal team at Forster Dean today to discuss your case and find out if you have the basis for a claim.
Contact Us
With offices in St Helens, Runcorn, Widnes and Crewe, the team at Forster Dean are here to help. Call us on 0808 278 4612