The time it takes to complete a
personal injury claim varies from case to case. Generally, much will depend on the seriousness of your injuries and whether your condition is likely to improve as well as the attitude of the Defendant’s insurers (the insurance company for the person you hold responsible for your injuries).
At Balinda & Co we do everything possible to ensure that your claim proceeds as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Here are seven tips to help you avoid unnecessary delay:
Tip 1 Choose the right injury solicitor
You need a solicitor experienced in handling your type of injury case. There are many law firms out there but not all of them can provide and guarantee high quality service.
Some firms are general practice in nature and may never have dealt with your type of accident or illness case. Because of lack of expertise, your claim will take longer than usual to be completed. You may end up with less compensation than you deserve. There is also the risk that you may lose your injury case altogether.
Take your time before choosing a firm of solicitors to handle your
accident claim because your choice of solicitor is important. If you give your claim to a claims management company, they will choose which firm of solicitors to sell your claim to. They will send your details to a solicitor who is prepared to pay them a fee for your claim, not necessarily a solicitor with the necessary experience in your type of
injury claim.
You should check out the solicitor’s credentials before making a commitment. Ask them how many cases similar to yours they have handled in the past twelve months. Look for genuine testimonials on their website. If in doubt check on the
Law Society website to establish their areas of specialisation.
Tip 2
Provide all relevant information to your solicitor from the start
Personal injury claims tend to delay because of lack of information either from the person making the claim or the defendant.
You can help speed up the process by getting all the relevant information ready before making a call to your solicitor or attending an interview with your solicitor. You should at the very least have details such as your, telephone number, national insurance number, address, date, time of accident, location where the accident took place and details of any witnesses. You should provide as much detail as possible how the accident occurred.
Tip 3 Cooperate with your solicitor
It is extremely important that you work with your solicitor as a team. If your choice of solicitor was right, you should trust her as you trust your doctor because she understands the procedures for making
personal injury claims.
If your solicitor advises you to take certain steps, you should follow that advice because it is based on many years of experience.
For example, if your solicitor advises you to issue your claim in court in order to speed it up, you should trust her. Insurance companies often gamble in the belief that some claimants will give up their claims after a delay of a few months. By issuing your case in court you demonstrate to the insurance company that you are determined to take the matter all the way if they are not able to settle your
injury claim.
Tip 4
Promptly return documents sent to you by your solicitor for approval or other documents requested by your solicitor
Most often, claims are delayed because claimants fail to return to their solicitors documents such as client care letter, conditional fee agreement (No Win No Fee Agreements) or authorisation letters. Without these documents, your solicitor cannot progress your injury claim.
Tip 5 Be honest with your solicitor
Your claim will be delayed if the Defendants suspect that you are not being truthful about what you are saying happened. They will refuse to negotiate and push your case all the way to a hearing before a judge. You will be put under a lot of pressure to explain everything about your case. At worse you may even lose your accident claim altogether. Stick to the truth all the time.
Tip 6
Don’t call your injury solicitor regularly
By calling your solicitor every day, you make it difficult for her to focus on moving your claim forward. You need to give your solicitor time to work on your case. Only call if you have new and relevant information to pass on to your solicitor or if your injury lawyer has asked you for additional information or documents.
Tip 7 Attend Medical Appointments
In almost all
personal injury cases (except the very minor ones) medical evidence is required to prove the nature and extent of your injuries. Without a medical report, you may not be able to prove the injuries you suffered and other related financial loses.
Balinda & Co have many years experience and have helped a lot of people who have suffered injuries to get compensation.
Injury Claim Help for You Now
Want help with your injury claim? Please
contact us or call
0800 321 3287 and let us talk it through.