If you have been involved in an accident that has resulted in a whiplash type injury - you need to read on.
There are many articles that explain why you should use a solicitor to make a claim and what the likely outcome may be. The difficulty in reading these articles is that they seldom give things to you straight. Vital questions go unanswered and you may be more confused than ever by the time you have concluded your research.
Here we summarise a number of key questions and answers to help people wishing to make a claim:
1) Where do you start with a claim? Speak to a law firm about your case - most accident lawyers will work by way of a NO WIN NO FEE agreement which means you can claim without risk. You DO NOT need to claim through your own insurers contrary to popular belief.
2) Why bother claiming? Two key reasons. Firstly you can receive FREE physiotherapy because once liability is dealt with, insurers will pay for any treatment to boost your chances of recovery. A quicker recovery means a cheaper settlement. Secondly you will receive a compensation award of at least £1000 and maybe as high as £3000 for a standard claim.
3) How long will the claim take? No more than 6-8 months usually. You must allow time for the injury to heal BEFORE you wrap the claim up. It would be a mistake to settle any sooner, assuming of course that the injury is a genuine one.
4) Why use a lawyer? Because they will ensure you receive the right compensation award at the right time. The solicitor will take on all the hassle and inconvenience for you. An insurance claims department will try their best to pay the bare minimum to settle your claim - thats the job they have to do. A solicitor will level the playing field. Do not claim without one.
5) How much is a whiplash claim worth? This can depend very much on WHO the insurer is, how SEVERE the injury is and WHEN a recovery is likely to take place. Average figures range from £1500-£3000 for injuries healing fully within twelve months
