Personal Injury: Legal Advice
It’s possible for anyone who has been injured in accident that was caused by negligent or careless behaviour, anyone considering making a claim should seek legal advice from a personal injury solicitor. The law does not look kindly on those who fail to take basic precautions preventing others from coming to harm and seeks to compensate their victims as much as is required.
Making a claim for personal injury can be a complicated process, there are several stages involved, all of which will benefit greatly from expert legal advice:
Gathering Evidence
It will have to be proved, on the balance of probabilities, that the party you are claiming against were responsible for the injuries suffered, whether through negligence or as a matter of strict liability. Doing this will require detailed evidence, often including testimony from medical professionals or other expert witnesses, photographs from the scene of the accident, impact statements about the effect of the injury on your life and anything else that is relevant. Having the right legal advice can ensure that any case put forward is cogent, organised and backed up by sufficient evidence.
Negotiations
The majority of personal injury claims are settled outside of court, as this is usually the quickest and cheapest way for both parties to reach a settlement. Having the right legal advice will ensure that you do not get tricked into settling for a lower amount than the courts would award or have your claim ignored or fobbed off.
Court
If those responsible for the injury will not admit fault or offer settlement the claim will have to be decided in court. It’s always best to seek legal advice before having any involvement with the UK Courts Service, as dealings with them can be complex and expensive. If the claim is successful the Court will order the other side to pay an appropriate amount in compensation, plus all legal expenses and court fees, allowing the injured party to keep all of their compensation.
Personal injury solicitors will usually give legal advice and services on a no win no fee basis, meaning that the injured party will not have to pay anything up front and will only be charged a fee in the event of a successful claim. Claimants should be warned, however, that an unsuccessful claim could result in them becoming liable for the other side’s legal fees.