If you are unfortunate enough to be injured in an accident, making a claim for your injury can feel very daunting and many people believe their injuries are not severe enough to contact a solicitor.
Often people will try to settle directly with their insurers as they are worried about paying out for legal fees.
Always remember - most personal injury lawyers work on a 'no win no fee' basis - so it costs nothing to enquire!
Even a minor injury can be very painful and can disrupt someone’s life in terms of time off work, trips to the GP/pharmacy etc.
Have you also considered any psychological injuries as well as the cost of damages to any personal property in the accident?
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The psychological element of an injury can often be the worst bit – and it can be as serious, if not more so than the physical injury.
Coles Miller Solicitors have an extensive list of local and countrywide experts in this field. They would need to establish that it is a recognised psychological injury but the scope of such injuries is getting wider as medical research, much advertised in the press, increases.
Possible symptoms can include anxiety, sleepness nights and recurring nightmares - all of which can be treated. Numerous clients have found great benefit in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Sometimes the severity of an injury isn't known until much later and it is important that you describe all injuries suffered when you have the initial assessment with your legal advisor.
Broadly speaking, personal Injury damages fall into two categories; general damages (for the injuries suffered in the accident) and special damages.
Special damages are all the incidental costs incurred because of the accident. These can be as little as the cost of paracetamol right up to a cancelled Caribbean cruise and everything in between.
Wherever possible, it is important the client tries to keep receipts for all expenses incurred but, often some research on the interned can reveal the cost of clothing or equipment that may have been damaged.
Make sure the solicitors you are dealing with have expertise in the right area. Do your research, look at testimonials and check accreditations.
There are no stupid questions - ask away - this is your claim and you have a right to know what is going on. Claims can often be complex - make sure you are fully aware of of all the pros and potential cons of starting a claim.
We’ve helped hundreds of people to claim the compensation they deserve. We want to help you, too.
Our personal injury solicitors will handle your claim using a No Win No Fee arrangement – so there is no financial risk to you. Find out more here about No Win No Fee claims.
Most personal injury claims are settled out of court. Very few of the cases we handle ever need to go to court. The defendant usually admits liability long before then.
For more information, contact Serious Injury Paralegal Crispin Cormack. He specialises in personal injury cases, notably: road traffic accidents; injuries at work; slips, trips and falls; public liability claims, and criminal injuries.
Crispin provides the media with expert legal comment on personal injury litigation. He has been interviewed by ITV News and BBC Radio 5 Live.