What is involved in a personal injury claim?

A personal injury claim is made against the person or organisation who was at fault - a third party. To win your claim for compensation your solicitor will have to show that a third party was responsible (liable) for your accident and that you have suffered injury and loss as a result. In a road accident it could be another driver, or in an accident at work , the employer. If the third party or their insurers dispute liablility, your solicitor will need to provide evidence to support your claim. This may involve police reports, photographs and witness statements.

Most of the time a claim will be against the third party's insurance company, but even if you were injured by a driver who was uninsured, or in a hit and run accident, a claim can still be pursued.

If your accident was caused at work you can make a claim against your employer, who will have compulsory insurance for this sort of case.

Even if the accident was caused by a friend or member of your family, such as a child injured in a car driven by a parent, then a claim can still be made. This isn't as awful as it sounds, as the claim would be dealt with by the driver's insurance company, or if the accident happened in someone else's home, their household insurance policy.

When third party liability is established, your solicitor will have to prove the value of your claim by obtaining independent medical evidence to substantiate the nature and extent of your injuries and the effect they will have on you in the future. He will also need to gather information about your financial losses and expenses. A Schedule of Financial Losses and Expenses is produced to prove these losses and show the Court they are reasonable.

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Can I claim?