If you have had an accident and suffered injuries, it can be an overwhelming experience depending on the type of accident and seriousness of your injuries. It could even be life-changing.
Bringing a personal injury claim can add to the already substantial challenges you may be facing. Here are some questions to consider asking when speaking to a solicitor, to help you make an informed choice and find someone who can get as much compensation as possible to support your recovery and recoup financial losses, such as loss or reduction of earnings if you have to take time off work.
How long does a personal injury claim take?
The short answer to this is, ‘How long is a piece of string?’
Each individual claim is unique and the time they take can depend on factors such as seriousness of your injuries and how long it takes for you to recover; whether the claim is initially admitted or denied; and how long it takes to gather all the information needed to resolve your claim.
How much is my claim worth?
This is difficult to assess at the beginning of a claim. The value depends on the seriousness of your injuries and how much you have lost financially. We can advise you of the types of losses you can claim for at the beginning of the claim. We would only be able to value your claim once we have got an approved medical report and calculated all your financial losses, if you have any. Do be cautious of any solicitor that tells you a definitive value at the beginning. This would just be a very rough estimate and your compensation could be more or less than the initial figure given.
Can i get financial help during my claim?
We understand that having an accident can cause some financial strain, for example, if you have to take time off work. A defendant is unlikely to agree to pay an interim payment if they do not consider they are to blame for your accident. If liability is admitted, however, we can request an interim payment to help you. There is still no guarantee that you will get such a payment but, if you do, it will be taken into account and deducted from the final amount of compensation you receive.
What if i have to claim benefits because of my accident?
Certain out-of-work and disability benefits you may have to claim as a result of your accident will have to be paid back at the end of your claim. This is because the law considers that you have been paid these benefits because of your accident and you can’t doubly recover your lost income or care costs, so the relevant amount of benefits received will be deducted from your compensation award if you have included a claim for lost income or care which reflects the benefits you have received. We can advise you further on this if it affects you and we would encourage you to claim any benefits you are entitled to whilst your claim is ongoing.
Will i have to go to court?
Most claims settle well before any court proceedings are necessary. In fact, only about 3% to 4% ever reach trial. Even if we have to issue your claim at court, which would have to be done by the 3 year anniversary of your accident, if not resolved, your claim could still settle well before a trial.
Further questions you may want to ask
What is your experience with my type of injury?
Do you specialise in my type of claim?
How many similar cases have you successfully resolved?
How will you keep me updated about my claim?
Who will be my point of contact?
Do you believe I have a good case?
Are there any weaknesses in my case?
What potential obstacles do you foresee? How will you address these?
If you’ve suffered an injury due to an accident and are considering making a claim, contact our specialist personal injury solicitors today on 0161 696 6235 for expert advice and support tailored to your situation.
Blog author: Angeline Holmes
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