When someone is injured in an accident they are entitled to claim for compensation for their injuries and financial losses provided it can be shown that someone else was at fault and that their negligence caused the injuries. In some cases this is straightforward, but in others, evidence has to be obtained to prove the negligence, usually by way of witness statements and expert evidence.
There are a number of factors to be considered before Howells Solicitors will agree to act for you, and should you get in touch, we will assess your claim at the outset and advise you on whether we feel you have a good chance of winning. In most cases, this is assessed on percentage terms, and your case would need to have over a 51% prospect of success to be accepted. All the evidence available would be reviewed, and you would be advised early on as to the prospects in your case. If your claim was rejected you would be given clear advice as to why.
The Personal Injury Claim Process
Generally, personal injury cases have a three-year deadline, which means you must issue you claim before the expiry of this limitation period. It is therefore vitally important that you contact Howells as soon as possible after your accident. Howells may reject claims which are nearing the 3 year-deadline as we would have a short timescale within which to complete the work required.
Once your claim has been accepted, the Defendants will be contacted and medical and other evidence will be gathered as to the value of your compensation. Compensation falls into two categories; general damages and special damages. General damages are the compensation you will receive for the pain and suffering you have endured due to your injury, and is quantified or valued based on the contents of a Medical Report and the nature and extent of your injury. Special damages encompass other financial losses, such as past and future loss of earnings, medical expenses, care and assistance, the cost of house adaptations and disability equipment etc.
During the course of a claim, you may suffer financial hardship if you are unable to work. Interim payments can be applied for to cover this, although this can be more difficult if there is a significant dispute as to who was to blame. If blame has been accepted by the opponents, this is a reasonable request which is often granted.
Once the final compensation has been paid, in many cases there is no mechanism for returning for further compensation in the future. Howells advises that you only settle your case when you have made a full physical and psychological recovery. Of course some injuries are permanent; if this is the case Howells would ensure that the medical evidence is final.
Hiring Howells Solicitors
Often, people who are injured in a car accident use the law firm allocated to them by their insurance company, or deal with the third party insurers direct. Often insurance companies will try and settle a claim directly with you and tell you that solicitors complicate things and that they will get a better settlement without the solicitor’s fees. This is nonsense, because most personal injury lawyers use a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement.
Howells has dealt with a number of cases where clients have been dealing with the insurance company direct. After taking over the file, Howells has obtained significantly more compensation from the insurers than was originally offered to the client.
If you are looking for an expert personal injury claim solicitor or expert legal advice in Cardiff or South Wales, Howells Solicitors can help. Our personal injury service is friendly, and we will put you at complete ease. Contact Howells today on 02920 404012 for expert advice now.
