Accident-Legal-Advice : Frequently Asked Questions

I have been injured but am not sure who was at fault. What can I do?

The first thing you should do is contact us. An experienced lawyer will evaluate your injury and the circumstances of your accident, and provide clear and straightforward advice on whether you can claim.

If I have an injury claim surely your personal injury claims service will charge me as the case progresses and/or take something out of any damages recovered?

No. If you are successful, all of our costs are claimed from the other side. You keep 100% of any compensation recovered. If you lose, we foot the bill.

I am worried, as my accident was at work - could I lose my job if I
pursue a case?

We have dealt with many such concerned clients. Your employer is not allowed to sack you if you are injured in an accident at work. By law, your employer has to have insurance to cover their employees for accidents at work. In reality, the insurance company will deal with the claim. We will deal sympathetically with your case and advise you fully.

How much will my claim be worth?

This depends on many factors and is individual to you and your claim - no two cases are ever the same. You will be advised further once all the necessary information has been gathered by the lawyer assisting you. Whatever happens, you can rest assured that we will fight to recover your rightful compensation.

How long will the claim take to be dealt with?

Even in general terms it is very difficult to say at this stage, but we will provide more information when the case has been assessed. Much will depend upon issues such as the liability of the other party being established, the medical evidence relating to your injury and when it is considered appropriate for the claim to be settled. However, you can depend on us bringing your claim to the right conclusion as promptly as possible.

More questions? We are pleased to answer them - simply click here to contact us

Jargon Buster for Legal and Insurance Terms

ATE: After The Event legal fees insurance
Legal expenses insurance is a relatively new form of insurance cover having only been available in the United Kingdom since about 1975. The purpose of the insurance is to provide protection to the insured against the costs of bringing or defending legal action where this is necessary to resolve a dispute.
BTE: Before The Event legal fees insurance.
This is usually sold as an 'add-on' to a motor insurance policy or household policy. The insurance provides 12 months cover for the cost of legal advice you may require during that period. The insurer of the policy will provide you with a solicitor or you may be able to use the Solicitor of your choice.
Claimant: You, the person making the claim.
Prior to 1996 the word Plaintiff was used but this has now been dropped by the courts.
Contributory-negligence: An argument raised by lawyers on the other side that you contributed to the accident or your injury happening.
The most well known Contributory Negligence is not wearing a seat belt. Courts regularly reduce compensation by 25% if you are not wearing a belt but it could be a 100% reduction if the belt would have prevented you being injured at all.
Disbursements: These are the legal expenses a solicitor pays out on your behalf.
These cover such things as court fees, hospital records fees, barristers, doctors and consultants fees.
Fast-track: A system at court designed to cover the majority of injury and other claims.
It is a series of rules and procedures that solicitors have to follow to bring a case through the courts. Introduced by the Woolf reforms in 1996/7.
LEI: Legal Expenses Insurer.
An insurance company that provides Legal Fees insurance. The term usually refers to Before the Accident insurance companies (see above) but increasingly is used to cover After the Event insurers too.
Liability: Another word for fault.
If you are liable it is your fault.
Mitigation: The duty upon you (the Claimant) to keep your losses to a reasonable to a minimum.
For instance do not hire a Rolls Royce whilst your Mini is being repaired!
Negligence Fault: To win your claim you must prove that the other driver owed you a duty of care and failed to perform that duty reasonably. Lawyers call this "negligence".
RTA: Road traffic accident.
Small Claims Track: A system at court designed to cover minor injury and other small claims.
It is a series of rules and procedures that solicitors have to follow to bring a case through the courts. It currently covers injury cases worth less than £1000 and other cases worth less than £5000. Generally, even if you win you cannot recover your legal fees from the other side.
Third Party: The other driver or drivers.
You and your own insurance company are the first and second parties. Any other person involved in an accident with you is a third party.Third Party Insurance means you are only covered for claims against you not for damage to your own vehicle.

DISCLAIMER : Please note that the above information is provided free and in good faith and believed to be accurate. However, no liability is accepted for any loss howsoever arising from any action taken as a result of relying on such information. You should contact us for further help and assistance in respect of your case.