It is important to follow the right steps when making a personal injury claim in Cardiff. The UK law gives you the right to get compensated for a non-fault injury after an accident. However, the amount of compensation you receive or your eligibility to make a claim depends on the steps you take after the accident.
We have put together an insightful Cardiff accident claims guide for everyone who got hurt by a non-fault accident in Cardiff and is planning to make an injury claim. It explains what steps to take immediately after an accident, the different stages of the claim process and the rights of a claimant when making a personal injury claim in Cardiff.
What Steps to Take After a Non-Fault Accident?
Prompt action after a non-fault accident is necessary. It documents the incident in official records and helps in preserving key evidence that might disappear later on. Here are some important steps that should be followed immediately after a non-fault accident:
Record the Accident Scene
Take pictures and short videos to record the details of the accident scene. Cover your injuries, damaged property and hazards that led to the incident. Also, there might be people present at the scene of the accident who witnessed everything. Request them to provide a brief testimony and their contact details.
Report Your Accident
During the claim process for injuries in Cardiff, the court and insurers might require an official report of your accident to the concerned authorities. Hence, you should report your accident to the responsible party at your earliest. A workplace accident should be reported to the employer and an accident in a public place should be reported to the property owner. Likewise, for road accident injury claims in Cardiff, a police report might be needed.
Get Medical Reports
Obtaining medical reports for your injuries is one of the most important steps to claim compensation in Cardiff after a non-fault accident. They explain how an injury affects your life and how long will it take to recover. These hard facts cannot be denied by the court or insurers and play a key role in determining your compensation amount.
Record Your Losses and Expenses
You should keep a record of all your injury-related losses and expenses. This includes wages lost due to reduced working hours or leave from work, loss of future income, cost of medical treatments, aid equipment and paid support hired for household tasks. Maintain a diary or create a spreadsheet on your computer to record every loss and expense.
Hire an Expert Solicitor for Your Claim
The claim process for injuries in Cardiff might be complex for some cases. This is where specialist no win no fee solicitors Cardiff come in. They provide expert personal injury advice in Cardiff accident claims to ensure protection of your rights. In addition, they handle all the legal paperwork, negotiate with the insurers and assist in gathering key supporting evidence.
What Are the Different Phases of the Claim Process?
Not every case goes to trial when making a personal injury claim in Cardiff. Most of the claims get settled outside court through negotiation with insurers. Here are the different phases of a claims process in Cardiff and other parts of the UK:
Pre-Action Protocol
This is the initial stage where your solicitor sends a letter of claim to the defendant’s insurer. This letter explains the liability and a fair compensation expectation. The defendant’s insurer has 21 days to acknowledge the letter of claim and around 3 months to respond back after investigating the matter.
Negotiation with Insurers
Negotiation with the defendant’s insurer starts as soon as liability is admitted. This involves a series of offers and counter offers made by both, your solicitor and the insurer. Moreover, your solicitor keeps you updated on the available offers and guides you the best course of action.
Court Proceedings
The claim goes to court if the defendant’s insurer denies liability or no settlement is reached during negotiation. Both, your solicitor and the defendant’s insurer, submit evidence or reports to back their stance. The court then determines your claim’s validity and awards an amount of compensation to cover your losses.
What Are Your Rights During the Claim Process?
Claimants hold certain rights when making a personal injury claim in Cardiff. These rights ensure fair treatment at every stage of the claim process. The following are some of the most important ones:
- You can change your solicitor during an ongoing claim.
- You have the right to reject an offer made by the defendant’s insurer.
- You can ask questions from your solicitor and expect honest answers.
- You have the right to receive regular updates about your claim’s progress.
Bottom Line
Prompt action, solid evidence and knowledge of your rights maximise your chances of winning an injury claim. Do not hesitate to consult experienced solicitors, like RU1NJURED’s panel solicitors. They provide expert personal injury legal advice in Cardiff accident claims to safeguard your best interests and ensure a fair compensation award.
FAQs
1) What is the time limit for making an injury claim in Cardiff?
You have three years from the date of your accident to initiate an injury claim in Cardiff as well as other parts of the UK.
2) How much does it cost to start an injury claim in Cardiff?
Many solicitors in Cardiff, like the panel solicitors at RU1NJURED, offer no win no fee arrangements. Hence, you can start an injury claim with zero upfront fee.
3) What is the average settlement time in Cardiff injury claims?
The settlement time of a claim process for injuries in Cardiff depends on the complexity of a case. It can be between a few months to three years.
4) How to find the best personal injury solicitors in Cardiff?
Contact RU1NJURED today. They will connect you with some of the best personal injury solicitors in Cardiff who are ready to help.
