Road Traffic Accident Claims
Have you have been injured in a car accident which was not your fault? If so, you could be entitled to compensation. We can advise drivers, passengers and pedestrians on a range of injury claims, from minor whiplash, cuts and bruises, or even serious brain injury.
If you make a successful claim, the compensation will usually be paid to you by the insurance company of the driver at fault. However, even if the driver at fault was not insured or cannot be traced, we can still help you to make a potential claim under the Motor Insurance Bureau Scheme.
In the Event of an Accident
By law a driver involved in an accident where a person or property is damaged must stop immediately, moving vehicles away from the traffic if possible. Property can include gardens, fences, houses and other vehicles.
At the scene of an accident
The following information should be given within to anyone whose property has been damaged or who has been injured:
- Name and address of the driver of the car
- Name and address of the owner of the car being driven, if the driver is not the owner
- Car registration number and driver licence details
- Any other details necessary to identify the vehicles
- Insurance details
Involved parties should not admit liability or offer any payment to an injured person or the owner of damaged property after an accident, as insurance companies may investigate any negligence which contributed to the crash.
In the event of an accident, full insurance details should be collected from everybody involved so that when a claim is made as much detail as possible can be provided.
- Names and addresses of all drivers involved in the accident
- Insurance details of every driver involved
- Names and contact details of anybody who witnessed the accident
It is advisable to note the time and date of the accident as well as the weather conditions. If possible the scene should be photographed or a sketch made. In more serious accidents a police report needs to be completed. This should be done honestly, and as much detail as possible should be provided.
Making a Claim
Following an accident, the company providing car insurance should be contacted straight away. This should be done even if a claim is not made by the policy holder, as other people involved may make a claim against an individual at a later date. Many insurance companies refuse to honour a claim if the accident was not reported immediately.
Insurance claims are usually made by filling out a claim form. Many companies have telephone services and online facilities to do this. The more information that is recorded when the accident happens, the easier a claim is to make.
Please contact us now if you would like to speak to a solicitor in confidence about making a claim for compensation.