Advice following an accident

Unfortunately accidents do happen and for those lucky few who escape injury the experience can be filed in the mishap box. However, for most, an injury will be a natural consequence of any accident, be it a car accident, accident at work or an accident while out in a public place.
The shock caused by any accident is always an unpleasant experience. Depending on the severity of the injury sustained, our thoughts turn to preservation and safety rather than evidence gathering and protecting our legal position.
It is for this reason that we wish to set out the necessary steps you should take following an accident in order that you have all the information to hand should you wish to consider making a personal injury claim for compensation.
• If possible, try to take photographs/video of the accident scene. Mobile phones are an excellent tool in this regard. If you have been involved in a car accident you should photograph/video the damage to the vehicles involved and their positions immediately after the accident. If the accident occurred while at work, on the street or in a building, take photographs/video of the scene of the accident, clearly recording any defect in question. If you have sustained an injury that is visible, e.g. bruising, cuts, swelling, take photographs as a record of your injuries.
• Make a note of any witnesses to the accident: this should include their name, address and telephone number. Please note that witness evidence can be invaluable should you need to prove the other party was responsible for the accident.
• In the circumstances that the police are called to the scene of the accident you should take the details of the investigating officer, such as: their name, collar number and their police station.
• If you have been involved in a car accident you should always make a note of the other driver’s registration, make, model and colour of their vehicle. Always ask for their insurance details as this is important should you make a claim for compensation. If this is not forthcoming your solicitor can trace the other party’s insurance company via the vehicle registration.
• Should the accident occur at work or while in a building you should always report the accident to your employer or the shop/building manager. You should ensure that the accident is recorded in the accident report book. If you have been hurt and suffered an injury this must also be noted.
• Even if your injury appears minor following the accident you should always consult your GP. Cases involving whiplash injury can often present very mild symptoms at first but severe pain often follows. It is also important that your injury is recorded by your GP as this is evidence of the injury itself.
• If your injury is so acute following the accident that you are unable to carry out normal everyday tasks and require care and assistance from friends and/or family you should make a note of when the assistance was provided and by whom. This is important, as the notional cost of any care provided can be added to your compensation claim regardless that it was actually given free of charge.
If you are considering making a claim for personal injury compensation, following an accident that wasn’t your fault, the next step is seeking expert legal advice. We will be happy to discuss the details of your claim with you on a no obligation basis. We have many years’ experience dealing with personal injury claims of all types. We can advise you of the merits of your claim before referring you to one of our specialist personal injury solicitors who will act for you on a no win no fee basis. This means that should you win or lose, you never pay a penny.