If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be wondering if you need a solicitor to make a compensation claim. In very straightforward cases, the answer is no – you can usually make a claim through the insurer of the driver who caused the accident.
However, if you were to ask a personal injury lawyer about the situations where they can help you receive appropriate recompense, then these are the ones that they’re likely to come up with:
When The Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance
As if being in a car accident isn’t enough, when you discover that the other driver doesn’t have insurance, then that just makes a bad situation even worse.
In this situation, you should seek legal assistance as your only option for making a claim may be to take legal action against the driver themselves. This can be a costly and time-consuming process, so it’s often best to get help from a solicitor.
When You Have Been Injured
Another situation where it may be worth hiring a solicitor is if you’ve been injured. The degree of your injuries will obviously play a part in deciding whether or not to get help, but if you’ve suffered anything more than just minor cuts and bruises, such as in those shocking accidents you see on some of the gore videos posted on Hoodsite, it’s probably a good idea.
Do bear in mind that not all injuries are immediately apparent, so if you’re involved in an accident, then you should be careful not to say that you’re ‘fine’ as this may hinder your chances of receiving compensation in the future.
This also means that your solicitor will need to wait until the severity of your injury is fully understood, along with any long-term implications to your wellbeing.
Making A Claim Against A Large Company
If the driver who caused your accident is employed by a large company, then you may be better off getting help from a solicitor. This is because large companies will often have legal teams who are experienced in dealing with car accident claims. These teams will try to reduce the amount of compensation you receive, so it’s best to have someone on your side who knows what they’re doing.
If You’re Unhappy With The Settlement Offered By The Insurance Company
If you have already made a claim through the driver’s insurance company that caused your accident and you’re unhappy with the settlement offer, then it’s worth getting in touch with a solicitor. They may be able to get you a larger payout, as they will have more experience negotiating with insurers.
What Can Solicitors Offer?
So, you’ve seen that there are some situations where it can be worth getting help from a solicitor when making a car accident claim. What can they offer you that you can’t get on your own?
Legal Knowledge
There’s no getting around it; even with the help of good old Google, your legal experience just isn’t going to be as good as a legal professional. Solicitors have studied and trained in the law, so they know exactly what they need to do to get you the best possible outcome.
Procedural Knowledge
When it comes to matters of the law, the are procedures to be followed. Filing the wrong document at the incorrect point could mean a massive difference to the success of your claim.
Solicitors and their paralegal teams will check paperwork before submission and ensure that everything is completed correctly at the right point in the process.
Support And Guidance
Making a car accident claim can be a daunting process, especially if you’ve never done it before. A solicitor will provide you with support and guidance every step of the way, making sure that you don’t get overwhelmed or confused.
Access To Expert Witnesses
If your case goes to court, your solicitor will be able to access expert witnesses who will help to prove that the driver who caused your accident was at fault. This can be vital in getting the compensation that you deserve.
Negotiation of Compensation
Few of us really know what the compensation should be for, say, a broken leg or a dislocated shoulder. This is where a solicitor can really help. With their years of experience and access to data on previous settlements, they will be able to negotiate for a much higher sum than you would be able to on your own.
So, if you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s definitely worth considering whether or not you need a solicitor. They can offer you legal knowledge, support, guidance, and access to expert witnesses that you wouldn’t have on your own. And, they may also be able to get you a larger compensation payout than you would receive if you went it alone.
