Legal Help After a Traffic Accident

If you’ve been unfortunate enough to be involved in a traffic accident, there are a variety of options available to you post-accident with regards to legal representation. In many cases, hopefully the accident will have been so minor, there will be no need to seek further legal assistance, but in some cases you may wish to pursue a personal injury claim or a property claim against the other individual involved in the accident. In these circumstances, it’s difficult at times to know where to begin or who to ask for help. There are a few different forms of legal help you may consider, dependent on the situation.

First Things First

When you’ve been involved in a traffic accident, there are a few pointers that you should keep in mind before you contact anyone. Try to get as much information as possible on the scene. It’s extremely important to collect details such as the other individuals name, address, phone number and of course the same details of any witnesses who are in the vicinity. Also, if possible take photos of the other driver and the scene of the accident. These can help with claims further down the line.

If the police are in attendance, get the names of the police officers dealing with the accident and identify any injuries to them and to the other driver. Keeping all the details of what happened is very important as when you go on to seek legal advice, they will want to know as much information as possible about what happened.

All accidents should be reported to the police within 24 hours and you should inform your insurance company as quickly as possible. If you don’t inform them in a timely manner, they may have the right to refuse insurance for you as the policy you signed may state all accidents are reported within a set time.

Speak to Your Citizens Advice Bureau

One of the best places to consult after a traffic accident is your Local Citizens Advice Bureau. They will be able to tell you whether you may have a claim for personal injury or for property damage. If you’ve spoken to your insurance company and you feel there may be further compensation owed to you, speak to someone at your Citizen’s Advice Bureau before employing the help of anyone else.

They can advise you on whether legal representation is needed and if they think you have a chance at a claim. They will also have a variety of specialist accident claims solicitors on their books so you’ll be secure in the knowledge that if you do follow this route, you’re getting a reliable solicitor.

Seeking Out a Specialist Solicitor

If you decide to contact someone to help with any legal issues you may face after a traffic accident, you will most likely need to contact an accident claims specialist. These individuals and companies generally work solely on personal injury claims for compensation after an accident and therefore have a vast amount of experience. They will be able to take you from your initial consultation right through to your final payout, usually without too much stress.

Dependent on the nature of your case, you may be eligible for a no win no fee basis or a 100% compensation basis. Always read the small print if you’re employing a solicitor to act on your behalf. They shouldn’t ask you for any money upfront and many won’t charge you at all. They tend to seek monetary compensation from the insurers of the individual you’re claiming against.

Specialist solicitors can advise you on the chances of a successful claim as well as organising your case into a concrete claim for compensation. They will help you collate all the evidence you need to prove you have suffered from the accident and that it wasn’t your fault. They should generally be your first port of call when you truly believe you have a traffic accident claim, but always look for someone that others have deemed reliable and trustworthy. Spend time speaking to a few different accident claim specialists before deciding on one for you.