Often, personal injury claims take a substantial amount of time to fully resolve; doing some research might help you understand the typical timeline of a claim and how long you should expect to wait before receiving compensation. With personal injury claims, the length of time depends on the severity of injuries and the number of parties involved in the accident. With the majority of claims, the case will last a year from the complaint being filed to the injured party receiving compensation. Some claims can be shorter and last only six months. The following guide lays out the process of personal injury claims step-by-step to speed up the process and receive compensation sooner.
What Is The Process of a Personal Injury Claim?
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Seek medical attention as soon as possible
Following an accident, it is crucial that you visit a doctor immediately in order to be assessed for accident-related injury. Even if you don’t believe you’ve been seriously injured and do not need urgent care, it is within your best interest to get checked out. The medical report could serve as part of your evidence if you wish to take legal action against the other party.
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Report the incident
If you wish to claim compensation you must report the incident. In most cases, you will obtain a police report (a written document that is usually generated at the scene of the crash). Within this report lies vital information about the crash and the people/vehicles/property involved. The police report will also include statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses and a sketch of the incident (location, path of vehicles, point of collision). The report may also exhibit the police officer’s conclusions as to how or why the accident might have happened.
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Take photographs of the scene where it took place
Taking photos of the scene of the accident is the key to a successful claim. Taking photos of the scene helps to speed up your claim and your recovery of compensation. Often, these photos will determine who was to blame for causing the crash. Don’t miss this important step!
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Take photos of your injuries
It may sound gruesome but taking photos of your injuries is crucial when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. Take clear photos of any visible injuries you sustained in the accident and try to capture the type, severity, size, and location of your accident-related injuries.
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Make a record of your expenses as a result of the injury
Keep a record of any bills that have accumulated as a result of the incident. This can include medical bills, physio, and also any household replacement services if you need someone to clean your house, take care of your children, or otherwise take care of your personal needs. If you haven’t been able to work because of your accident-related injuries it is important to keep note of your loss of earnings.
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Be aware of deadlines!
The standard time limit for making a claim is three years. In other words, you have three years from the date of the accident to issue your claim in court. There may be some leniency depending on factors such as the severity of injuries but most claims have to be filed within a 3 year period.
Get in touch
Here at TDP Solicitors, we understand how a personal injury can dramatically affect your life. Our team of experienced personal injury solicitors will help you along the way; we will be there for you throughout the entire personal injury compensation process. Although money cannot always compensate for the traumatic effects of an accident, through our No Win No Fee basis our personal injury solicitors will ensure that you receive the maximum amount of financial personal injury compensation and medical support that you are entitled to.
To find out more information about our No Win No Fee compensation process, please call our team of friendly, professional personal injury solicitors today on +0151 242 5111.