If you live in the UK or Northern Ireland and you have been injured when it wasn’t your fault, you could claim compensation. Lost on how to do so? Let us help.
When you become injured from an accident in public it might not be your fault. If your accident was the result of another person or company’s negligence or thoughtlessness, then you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation against that third party’s insurer. But how do you actually start a compensation claim when you live in the UK?
Let’s discuss.
How to Claim Compensation After an Injury Following an Accident (UK/NI)
The first step towards making a claim for compensation is always to raise awareness of the issue. You should do this in writing, either through sending a letter or raising a complaint. This might solve the issue if the complaint does not involve serious harm.
If you are not satisfied with this outcome due to the rising costs associated with your injury, then you ought to consult with a professional personal injury solicitor. They can advise you of what to do next. We recommend you take this step first if you do not wish to represent yourself or if your injuries are anything other than minor.
If you have a minor injury and wish to proceed without a lawyer:
- Use the Official Injury Claim Service
- Make a claim through civil courts
- You must act before the Statute of Limitations runs out – 3 years in the UK and Northern Ireland for most instances
- You must complete and file all paperwork by the deadlines requested by a judge
Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Compensation Claim?
One of the common misconceptions about claiming compensation after a personal injury is that you must hire a lawyer. While a specialist personal injury lawyer has the skills and experience you will need to give yourself a chance at a successful claim, it is your legal right to proceed without one.
Should You Hire a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim?
If you have been in an accident that was not your fault and your injuries are anything other than minor, then a personal injury lawyer is the best way to make sure that your medical expenses, time off work, and other costs are compensated.
Personal injury claims cover everything from road traffic accidents to medical negligence claims, and everything in between. Unfortunately, a large portion of personal accident claims are not minor. A good rule of thumb is that wherever you suffer an accident or injury which keeps you from working then you ought to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Next Steps
Just because you can represent yourself does not mean that you should. There is truth in the saying that even the best lawyer knows not to represent themselves in court. You will be up against the third party’s team which will include professional lawyers. The choice is yours.
