If you have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you have the right to claim compensation for your injuries and expenses incurred as a result of the accident. For example, if you were in a road traffic accident caused by another driver driving into the back of your car when you had stopped at a junction and were waiting for traffic to clear before moving, you could claim accident compensation from the other driver’s insurers.
The recommended way of doing this is to speak to an experienced accident claim solicitor or lawyer who would run your accident claim on a genuine no win no fee basis so it wouldn’t cost you a penny. Such a solicitor would arrange for an independent medical report so that your injuries can be properly assessed to ensure you get the accident compensation you deserve.
However, some insurers are approaching injured accident victims in the aftermath of an accident and offering compensation, often without medical evidence. This can led to accident victims being under-compensated, particularly if what seemed to be a straightforward whiplash injury later develops into something more serious. As accident compensation is agreed on a full and final settlement basis, an injured accident victim cannot go back to the insurers and ask for the compensation to be increased.
Lawson-West solicitors would remind accident victims that if they are approached by an insurance company offering accident compensation to:-
• Insist on time to consider the offer properly. If the offer is fair and reasonable, the insurer won’t object to this.
• Seek independent legal advice. You have the right to do this and you have the right to choose your own legal advisor. You do not have to use any legal advisor recommended by the insurance company as they may not be independent.
• Do not be tempted to settle without medical evidence. Medical evidence will reveal the extent of your injuries and ensure you get the accident compensation you deserve.
• You are also entitled to be compensated for loss of earnings if you have had to take time off work and have not been paid or paid at a lower level that usual because you could not do shifts or regular overtime, and expenses resulting from your accident, eg travel to and from medical appointments. Does the compensation offer from the insurance company also cover this?
If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, whether or not you have been approached by an insurance company offering to settle, please call Mikhaila Grant on 0116 212 1000 now or complete one of the on-line forms or text ‘accident’ to 07968 888857 and we’ll call you back.
