With busier roads and people having busier lives, it seems that maybe the necessary care and attention needed to travel safely is not always being utilised – this can easily lead to road traffic accidents. At The Injury Lawyers, personal injury claims stemming from road traffic accidents are one of our more common types of claims. An increase in claims has led there to be a change in the system that deals with road traffic accidents that occurred after 30th April 2010 and are between a value of £1,000 and £10,000. This system makes the process of claiming faster, simpler, and more stream-lined – this can only be good news for you as it means you get answers, and your compensation payout, quicker.
What to do after a road traffic accident?
We realise that it can be difficult after having suffered the trauma of an accident to have your wits about you enough to remember to do certain things. In case you do, here are a few things that may strengthen a personal injury claim:
- Report the incident to the Police – this should be done as accurately as possible as a Police report can be used as evidence if needed.
- Seek medical attention for your injuries – this allows a medic to assist with your injuries, and also allows for a record to be placed in your medical notes; these notes can be used as vital evidence for a personal injury claim.
- Check for witnesses at the scene – if any are present, approach them and obtain their contact details – their evidence may be useful at a later date to support your claim.
- Seek the assistance of a specialist personal injury lawyer – this is best done as soon as possible when the events are fresh in your mind.
What is advisable to avoid after a road traffic accident
- Legal Expense Insurance (LEI) – you may be contacted after an accident by your insurers informing you of LEI which you have attached to your own insurance policy which entitles you to free legal representation. The insurers here are likely acting as middlemen, selling your claim onto a law firm. The law firm will lose a huge proportion of their budget on buying your claim – leaving you with a poorer service, and less compensation.
- Third Party Capture – this is legal speak for the potential Defendants insurers approaching you at an early stage to settle your claim. At this stage you may not have gained advice from a lawyer and so cannot know what your claim is worth. By settling early, you may be at risk of undervaluing your claim – if the settlement is full and final, it means you cannot go back.
The above may seem at little daunting – but if you have any further questions, please feel free to call The Injury Lawyers for a free claim assessment.
