ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CLAIM UK

Injuries whether they are minor or major that occur at home, at work or on the road, are now a fact of life. In the UK, over 10 million accidents are recorded each year, and more than 2 million of these are caused by another person’s negligence. If you are injured, and it was not your fault, you are entitled to make an accident compensation claim for damages and compensation.

We represent a group of specialist personal lawyers operating throughout the United Kingdom. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions and you will not be expected to fund or finance your claim as it proceeds to settlement. We guarantee without reservation that our claims are completely risk free.

The amount of damages either agreed with the other side or their insurers or awarded in an accident compensation claim after a court hearing depends on a variety of factors including the severity of the injury sustained, the amount of pain and suffering and whether there are any resultant long-term effects together with a number of other more technical factors.

The amount claimed can include awards for general or special damages.

• General damages are usually difficult to estimate because they cover rather subjective parameters, such as pain and suffering for any immediate injury and for any enduring disability caused by the accident. It also covers any loss of amenity, that is loss of a lifestyle or the previously chosen entertainment in life, and disadvantage on the open job market because of any permanent injury sustained due to the accident.

• Special damages are relatively easier and logical to calculate accurately and may include:

  • Loss of past earnings
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Medical expenses and therapies
  • Damage to property or vehicle
  • Insurance surfeit
  • Special care aids and equipment
  • Car hire or traveling expenses
  • Costs of assistance for household chores
  • Cost of care and assistance
  • Adapted accommodation or transport
  • Out of pocket expenses

There are time limits on the maximum period after an accident that a claim can be instigated. In general terms an accident compensation claim is ‘statute barred’ if the claim has not been settled or proceedings have not been issued in a court of law within three years after the accident. There are certain important exceptions to this general rule and the court has a wide discretion to extend the time limits. The advice of a professionally qualified solicitor should always be obtained if there is any doubt about the limitation period even if the claim looks hopelessly out of time. It is to your advantage to seek professional advice as soon as possible after an accident has occurred.

Our lawyers appreciate the difficulties and the emotional problems that often occur in taking legal action. Whilst we cannot guarantee that a claim will not go to court what we can say is that court hearings for personal injury claims are now relatively rare and by far the majority of cases are settled by negotiations with the insurers of the person to blame for the accident.