Making a claim for personal injury compensation is a very personal experience, resulting from an accident which may have been traumatic and upsetting for both you and those close to you. Whether you were involved in an accident at work, a car crash, a slip, trip or fall or any other accident whereby someone else was to blame, you should take steps to make a claim for compensation as soon as possible.
Selecting an accident claim company
Choosing a legal representative for your claim can seem daunting, and with many options available to you, it is worth knowing what you should look for in an accident claim company. Generally speaking, you will have two options available – a compensation provider, or a personal injury solicitor.
Personal injury solicitors
A personal injury solicitor firm will have specific expertise in compensation claims, as opposed to general practices which may also work in other areas such as family law and criminal law. Whilst you may have a personal injury solicitor located in your home town or near to your workplace, it can be difficult to find these specialists without searching on the internet. This is especially the case if you live in a remote area, or a town with a small population.
If you are able to find an accident claim company in your local area who specialise in personal injury claims, you should still check the following:
- Do they have specific experience in your accident type? For example, one firm may have a large amount of expertise relating to work injuries, but very little experience in dealing with cases of medical negligence.
- Do they operate on a no win no fee basis? This is important to ensure you do not end up out of pocket, should your claim be unsuccessful.
- How do they process compensation claims? Will you be required to attend meetings and court? If your injuries have affected your mobility or emotional state, then a face-to-face format may be less desirable.
You should not settle for an accident claim company solely based on location. You should always ensure they are the best team for the job, to ensure you have the maximum chance of success.
Compensation providers
A compensation provider usually operates on a national scale, working with claimants across the country. Some will have in-house legal teams, whilst others will work with a team of independent legal partners. The latter is usually of greater benefit to you, as the compensation provider will be able to select representation from an extensive network of legal experts. This means that no matter where in the country they operate from, you will have the best team representing your case, with proven experience in your specific accident type.
If available, it is also worth reading any reviews relating to an accident claim company before beginning the claims process, as well as reading any client testimonials or case studies.
