Claiming Compensation
If you’ve had an accident and you want to claim compensation there are a number of things that you can do to maximise your compensation and make the process go smoothly.
Gathering as much evidence, at the time or as soon as possible after the accident, will help us to work on your claim quickly and efficiently.
Below is some guidance on the sort of evidence you will need:
Who are you claiming against?
Get as much relevant information as you can about the other party or parties, including:
- Full Name
- Address
- How do they fit into the chain of events?
- Another driver?
- The owner of a building?
- The employer of the person who allegedly caused the accident?
- Insurance details - name of their insurer and policy details
- Registration number of the offending vehicle
- If a company, get the full registered Company name
Witnesses?
Obviously independent witnesses are ideal but if the accident was witnessed by a friend or relation their account can be valuable too.
- Name
- Address
- What were they doing at the scene?
- What did they actually see/hear?
- This should be written down by the witness as soon as possible after the accident
Your memory
Your memory of the accident is key. It may seem obvious but, as soon as possible after the event, write down everything you can remember ie:
- Date
- Time
- Speeds
- Distances
- Weather conditions
- Witnesses
- Anything that was said
- What did you do/how did you feel, after the incident?
- Anything else you can remember!
Photographs
Photographs can help tell the story and are often more powerful than words.
- If the accident involves vehicles, take a photo with a camera or mobile phone BEFORE the vehicles are moved
- If the accident is a road traffic accident take a photo of the other driver
- Photograph the damage and any items which have become detached from your vehicle
- If you’ve tripped, photograph the defect and where possible use a ruler to show the height/depth. If you don’t have ruler use a coin e.g.: £2 coin
- Photograph any visible injury. It may be useful to keep a photographic record of the healing process and record how long it takes.
Police
If the police were called write down the officer’s details.
- Name
- Collar number
- What station are they from?
- Does the incident have a reference number?
Accidents at work/on business premises
If you were injured at a workplace or on business premises:
- Insist that the incident is recorded in any accident book and get a copy
- Write down details of the employer or business owner and the full Company details
Medical information/expenses
Shock can mask injury and some injuries may take 24 – 48 hours to become apparent. It is vital to your case to establish that the accident did actually cause your injury, so always:
- See your doctor as soon as possible afterwards
- Make sure you are properly examined even if you feel OK
- Record any expenses you have incurred and keep all receipts eg: travel, medical etc
How do you feel?
Any compensation is based on how the injury has affected your life, always:
- Keep a diary of how you are feeling
- Note any pain or problems you encounter as a result of the injury, e.g.: problems sleeping
- Write down any chores that you are not able to do because of the injury, e.g.: "had to have help with washing/ironing/shopping, broken arm prevented me from lifting"
- Write down any hobbies, that you used to enjoy before the accident, that you cannot do, as a result of the injury, e.g.: "used to play football every Sunday but can’t with injury"
- TELL THE TRUTH AND DO NOT EXAGGERATE!
Let Sydney Mitchell maximise your compensation, contact us today!
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