How to make a personal injury claim with us

What is a personal injury claim?

It's a legal case you can bring if you've been hurt in an accident that was wholly or partially someone else's fault. It's the official process of recovering compensation from the other party responsible. The compensation is paid by the other side's insurance company. There are no upfront costs and you pay nothing if your claim doesn't succeed. This is possible by using a no win no fee agreement. You may need special legal protection which pays the costs if your claim were to fail and ensures making an injury claim is risk free.

Usually, you can claim if you or a loved one were involved in an accident that:

• Happened within the last three years.
• You suffered financially and physically from.
• Was caused entirely by someone else or only partially by you.

Nobody expects to be hurt unexpectedly and it can be a real jolt to the system. That's why we're proud of our years_since year heritage helping people who have been. We offer free, impartial advice about how to make a personal injury claim We can guide you through the first important steps if you're eligible and decide to make a claim.

If you've suffered an injury that you feel was someone else's fault, contact us today to see how we can help make things right. Either complete our simple call back form or call us direct on . Our friendly and personal injury advisors are available 7 days a week.

Do I qualify to make an injury claim?

With the help of a specialist solicitor, we'll help you find out how to make a personal injury claim. Anyone who's been injured in an accident that was wholly or partially someone else's fault can make a claim. 

Our job is to give you the support and help you need - at a pace and in a way that suits you.

We sometimes hear from people who've been hurt in an accident but who initially dismissed it. We also talk with people who've been hurt and aren't aware that their injury is more serious than they originally thought. 

For instance, you may have taken time off work to get better. 

If you're still seeing your GP or receiving medical treatment for an accident injury that took place less than three years ago, then get in touch with us free on .

We have decades of experience helping people like you make a claim. We'll let you know if we think you've got grounds for making a personal injury claim. If you do, it's your decision if you'd like us to pair you with one of our approved personal injury solicitors.

If you're not feeling ready to speak to us just yet, try our compensation claim calculator. Confidentially answering a few short questions online will give you a rough idea of how much you might be awarded if your claim is successful.

What happens when you make an injury claim

We carefully choose the legal firms we work with and monitor the customer service they provide. They take care of everything for you and will keep you updated about what's happening. All you need to do is follow their advice and pass on the information they need, when they need it.

Stage 1: assessment

By now, you may already have talked with one of our advisors about claiming after an accident. This is where we assess whether you're eligible to do so. If you are, we'll explain your options in plain English. If you decide you want to make an injury claim, we'll pair you with a specialist solicitor with the right experience.

Stage 2: consultation

Your solicitor will investigate the facts with you, judge how the accident has affected you and then decide what to do next. This will include asking you to share specific evidence to support your claim, such as medical records and photographs.

Stage 3: submission

When they have all the details and have valued your claim precisely, your solicitor submits it to the other side (often called ‘the defendant'). This officially notifies the person or organisation you think caused your accident injury.

Stage 4: negotiation

Your claim moves through a set of legal processes designed by the Ministry of Justice. The other side might accept liability or deny it and if they deny responsibility, you claim will likely take longer.

Your solicitor handles all the negotiation with the other side on your behalf. If they can't agree, the claim usually then goes to a hearing at court in front of a Judge. Most claims are settled out-of-court.

Stage 5: finalisation

After all the processes have been completed, your claim settles. This will either be by negotiation or very occasionally in court. If your solicitor has won your claim, the other side's insurance company will pay your compensation and this usually comes through in a month or so.

Your solicitor will be paid from your compensation.

How do I pay for making an injury claim?

You do this with a no win no fee arrangement, also known as a conditional fee agreement. It's the contract between you and your no win no fee personal injury lawyer.

If you win the claim, you'll be asked to pay any costs and expenses, not paid for by the other side, out of your compensation. This is likely to happen in most cases, as the other side is only required to make a contribution to your legal fees.

These costs may include:

• A ‘success fee' which compensates the solicitor for the risk they take, as they won't be paid at all if your claim is unsuccessful.
• Any other legal costs or expenses not recovered from the other side, such as the costs of any legal expense insurance.

These costs will only be deducted when your compensation is paid, and there are no upfront costs or hidden charges.

Your solicitor will discuss this with you at the start, so you'll know what to expect when claiming after an accident and your case is successful. If you don't win your no win no fee claim, you pay nothing to anyone. It's as simple as that.

How much compensation might I receive if I make an injury claim?

Compensation is also called damages. There are two types your solicitor will consider when you make an injury claim.

• General damages: This amount is for pain and suffering of your injuries and loss of amenity (the impact they've had on your life).
• Special damages: These reimburse you for any financial expenses or losses you suffered as a direct result of the accident. 

The amount of damages you could be paid in a successful claim depends on your injury or illness, how severe it was and its overall effect. When you make an injury claim through us, we'll pair you with an experienced personal injury solicitor. 

They'll investigate what's happened to you so that you get the compensation you deserve.

Special damages include:

• Time off work and any lost income.
• Any related reduction in future earnings.
• Any impact on your actual ability to work.
• Potential psychological damage.
• Care you've had, even if given freely by your family and friends.
• Any changes you've had (or might need) to car or home.
• Any medical treatment costs, travel or accommodation expenses.
• Any physio or rehab courses that a medical professional has prescribed you.
• Any additional daily financial expenses you have incurred as a direct result.

You'll have a firm idea about how much your claim is worth when your solicitor has valued it and started negotiating with the other side's insurers.

UK compensation guidelines are set by the Judicial College, part of the Ministry of Justice. Here are some examples based on the injury type from their latest edition. The figures only include general damages for pain and suffering. Any special damages will be calculated on top. Your solicitor will talk you through the details with you.

For how long after an accident can I make a claim?

When claiming after an accident, you usually have three years from the date the injury occurred. In medical negligence claims, it's three years from when you noticed the condition or it was first diagnosed. There's an official process your solicitor must follow when you make an injury claim so if you're close to that three-year deadline, call us as soon as you can on .

There are some exceptions to the limitations. These are:

• If the claimant has suffered a serious brain injury that impaired their mental capacity, there's no time limit 
• A parent, or legal guardian can make an injury claim for a child at any time until they reach 18 years old. If no claim has been made up to that point, that child then has until their 21st birthday to make a claim.

Will making an injury claim take up a lot of my time?

Not often. Your solicitor will be doing all the legal work and we're always working to make things as light-touch for you as we can. The important thing for you is recovery. Just be prepared to share the information your solicitor needs as quickly as you can. 

The same goes for signing and returning documentation. Also be ready to attend any medical assessment booked for you.

Who pays the compensation?

Sometimes we hear from people worried that if they make an injury claim against their employer, or even someone they know, it will leave the other party out-of-pocket. That's not the case. 

The other side's insurance company pays the compensation in a successful claim. All employers are legally obliged to have insurance in place for such circumstances. Others are legally obliged to have insurance in place to cover claims against them - like vehicle drivers or councils.

Can I change solicitors if I'm disappointed with their service?

Yes, but only if you have genuine reasons for switching. If you're worried about how your claim is being managed, share how you feel with your law firm first. Professional solicitors will always try and fix things.

If they can't sort it out to your satisfaction, get a free second opinion from another solicitor. It's your right by law.

We regularly monitor the service standards of all the solicitors with whom we work. Having our own law firm (National Accident Law) and being regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) helps us get things right. It also helps ensure you don't experience such unwelcome issues.