This will be a brief guide to securing compensation for those who have been in a car accident that was not their fault. In this guide, we will address what a personal injury claim is and when a claim might be made. Then, we will recommend that you collect evidence of the crash, the fault and the losses and damages that you have suffered. These damages include but are not limited to physical, psychological and financial. Finally, we will look at choosing the right lawyer for your case. Follow these steps to have the best chance of receiving compensation for your losses.
How to secure compensation after a car accident
A car crash that was not your fault
If you have recently been in a car accident that was either in part or totally caused by the negligence of a third party, then you might be entitled to compensation. This is true even if the accident was also partly due to your own recklessness, as you can still be compensated on a percentage of the damages – the percentage that is attributed to the third party.
Let’s look at an example. If you drive a van for your job and your company provides the vehicle with the assurance that it is safe to drive and fit for the road, your employer (the liable third party) has a duty of care to you. So, when the van has an issue that either went undiagnosed or was ignored, and you have an accident, your employer has broken their duty of care to you. As a result of their negligence and recklessness, you have suffered physical, psychological and financial damages.
The same can be said for a driver who willingly uses their phone and crashes into you because they are distracted behind the wheel. You get the idea.
Save all evidence
If you have experienced a road traffic accident that can be attributed, at least in part, to a third party individual or company, you should save all evidence of the accident. Anything that can point to the liability of the third party will help your car accident lawyer win you compensation in court. Take photos of the scene, retrieve dashcam footage, request CCTV if there is any, take the names and contact information of witnesses, save medical and police reports, incident reports and so on.
Moreover, collect evidence of the damages you have suffered. For physical damages, make sure you have doctor’s notes, lists of treatments and medications, any details of ongoing care and permanent damage if it is applicable and photos of injuries. For psychological damages, you can cite difficulty sleeping and any mental health problem such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that arose as a result of the accident. Make sure to have medical records that substantiate these claims.
Finally, evidence of financial damages would include proof that you have had to take extended leave from work or you have lost your job as your injuries have prevented you from being able to work as you did before. Moreover, property repairs, ongoing care and legal costs are financial damages and could be covered by compensation. The more evidence you can present, the more likely you will be to win compensation and get even.
Get great legal representation
In order to successfully seek compensation for your physical, psychological and financial damages, you will need to hire great legal representation. A personal injury lawyer who specialises in car accidents will be able to use the evidence and their keen skills to argue your case in court and, all going well, secure your compensation.
When you are looking for a legal representative, you will want to consider their years of experience, success rate and overall mannerisms. Make sure you get along with your lawyer, that they are communicative and that they seem compassionate. You want to be supported through this tough time. Moreover, check their website for testimonials and search their name online to read reviews and get an idea of their public reputation. This will all help you to find the right match for you.
End note
This has been a quick look at how to secure compensation after a car crash. First, we looked at what a personal injury claim is and what kind of scenario might lead to such a claim being made. Then, we recommended that you begin saving evidence of the accident, liability and damages immediately. Anything that proves the fault and extent of damages will help you and your lawyer in court. Finally, we looked at choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your needs. It is important that you trust your lawyer. This is the best way to secure compensation for your losses. Best of luck!
Featured image: Magiclantern/Motion Array
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