subject: What Is A Personal Injury Accident Claim? [print this page] Under United Kingdom law, a personal injury accident claim may be filed for a vast variety of accidents which cause personal bodily injury of varying degrees. The two most important facts you need know is firstly, you may only begin proceedings if you are the victim of an accident, not the liable party; and secondly, your claim must be filed within three years of the actual accident.
Most solicitors, as well as numerous on-line internet sites, offer legal services on a 'no win, no fee' or 'Conditional Fee Agreement' basis which, in 2000, replaced the old legal aid system. This simply means that you will not have to pay up front for your legal representation, making the entire process of filing a claim available to everyone and is not related in any way to their financial standing.
Should your claim be successful, you will most likely be paid 100% of the amount awarded in compensation, as the liable party's insurance company will be expected to cover your legal costs as well. Even if you do not win your claim you will, in most cases, not be liable for the legal costs involved, as an insurance policy to cover this eventuality is established as part of the 'no win, no fee' arrangement.
An important fact to bear in mind is that if you are have been injured in an accident and you have personal accident cover as part of your insurance policy, it would still be more beneficial to take legal advice and go the route set out above. This is simply because your insurance company will impose an excess which could reach as much as 500 pounds, as well as the possibility of losing your no claim bonus.
A personal injury accident claim in the UK may be filed for any number of injuries suffered from numerous occurrences. The most obvious are those related to motor vehicle accidents. It is to be noted that even if you were injured in an accident where the driver is found to be liable, as a passenger you will still be eligible for compensation. Also, your relationship to the driver should not prevent you from making a claim, as the liable party's insurance company will pay the compensation, not the diver personally.
When it comes to accidents in one's place of work, the most important point to note is that your employer may not terminate your employment based on such claim; and if he does, he may be brought before a tribunal for unfair dismissal. Most employers have insurance to cover their employees and it would be this insurance which would pay any compensation awarded to you, not the employer.
It should be borne in mind that you will have to prove the negligence of the liable party, as well as provide proof of your injuries. It is therefore of utmost importance to consult a doctor or go to an accident and emergency department of a hospital as soon after the injury has occurred as possible, so that your injuries can be documented.
by: Lawrence White
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