A lot of people who find themselves involved in a car accident end up not taking advantage of their right to file for a compensation claim because they do not know how to do it, and why should they? To make sure that you can truly exercise your right, we have outlined the steps for you below:

1. Call the police as soon as possible.

If you meet with a car accident and you are conscious and able, do the best that you can to get the police immediately on the scene. This way, a professional can obtain a more detailed record of what happened. If you are unconscious or not fully compos mentis after the accident then it is probably likely that a police investigation unit will have been sent to the scene of the accident and will document everything fully.

2. Get the police report.

Although the police will file the accident report, you need to have your own copy as well. The report is extremely useful since it contains the most vital data about the accident and even a police opinion, which can help identify the liability.

3. Gather all the needed documents.

At this stage, you may want to talk to an accident claims solicitor so you can have a thorough idea about what types of documents or evidence to prepare. Most likely, though, you will need to present the medical and police report, photographs, eyewitness accounts, and even insurance. You may also have to include all proof of expenses of treatments and other costs that are related to the accident, including loss of income from your employer if this is the case.

4. Discuss your case more comprehensively with the solicitor.

Once you have the documents ready, you can then go back to the solicitor for a more comprehensive evaluation. You may also be able to know if you can take advantage of the no win, no fee agreement, if the company offers one. In this arrangement, you do not spend money unless you have won the case. Depending on the agreement, usually it is the solicitor’s fee that is being waived.

Take note that you only have 3 years to file for car accident compensation claim. It can begin from the date of the accident or the date of knowledge or the time you determine that the injuries and other health issues are caused by the accident. Otherwise, you are considered time barred, and you can never fight for compensation unless in some instances there might be exceptional circumstances.

There is car insurance, so why file a claim?

All drivers in the UK are required to have their own car insurance, so the liable driver must have insurance also, although sometimes unfortunately this isn’t the case, and you can claim compensation from their insurance. However, it is common practice among these companies to settle the matter subtly and then offer you compensation that is much lower than you deserve.

To have a solicitor represent you is a good step to take. It is a way of ensuring you get the right compensation for all the pain, suffering, and loss you experienced due to the car accident. You are also more than likely to win a case when you have a professional helping you.