Accident Claims - How you can help your solicitor

Even if you’re lucky enough to walk away from an accident with few apparent injuries, you could still suffer from shock and stress. Often, the trauma of the incident can prevent the clear thinking needed to record the details of the accident, which may be required later to support an accident claim on your insurance. There are certain things you could do to help your solicitor progress your accident claim quickly and efficiently. But don't worry too much if you did not manage to attend to any of these matters - your injuries or shock might have prevented you from doing anything at all at the time. Below is a short list of easy-to-remember pointers that would help if disaster strikes.

1.

If you are driving the first thing you should do is stop. Every year hundreds of motorists are prosecuted for failing to stop at the scene of an accident. You are required to exchange names and addresses and registration numbers. If anyone has been injured you must report the accident to the police even if the other driver did not stop, otherwise you may be committing an offence.  If you fail to stop at the scene of the accident you should report it to the Police as soon as you can - and no later than 24 hours. 

2.

Are there any witnesses to the accident? If yes, obtain their details, (name, address, telephone number etc). The information while not crucial, would certainly help the personal injury solicitors in progressing your accident claim. 

3.

Report the matter to the Police and ask for the Police Officer's name, number and station. If it is an accident at work, report it to your manager or superior and make sure that it is entered into the Accident Book. If it is in a shop or other premises report it to the manager or owner and obtain the person's details.

4. 

In a car accident, try not to move the vehicles until police have arrived. 

Take pictures of the finishing position of the vehicles if you have a camera with you.  

Sketch the finishing position of the vehicles if you cannot take pictures. 

5.

Notify your insurance company of the accident. You will probably find that your insurance policy requires you to notify the insurers as soon as possible. You will also probably find that your policy does not allow you to admit liability even if it is obvious that you were at fault.

6. 

Make notes of the accident as soon as possible while the details are still fresh in your mind. Write down what happened and what was said. To provide useful information for accident claims, your notes should include details of: 
6.1. The time
6.2. The date 
6.3. Make a note of the weather and traffic conditions, especially if it was a Road Traffic Accident.
6.4. Where was the nearest street light?
6.5. What is the state of the road?
6.6. Were any other vehicles involved?
6.7. Are there any other witnesses?
6.8. Make a note of any conversations that may have taken place.
6.9. Prepare a sketch plan. This should show the location of the vehicles, street lights and any traffic signs etc.
6.10. Take photographs of the scene of the accident and mark the view that they show on the sketch plan showing the direction in which the photograph was taken.

7.

If you are injured make sure that you seek medical advice as soon as possible. Get your priorities right - look after yourself first and get your injuries seen to before worrying about any material loss and accident claims. Some injuries may not become apparent for several days after the accident and, if that is the case, you should still seek medical advice when the injuries become apparent. However, while looking after your health by going to a hospital,  you are also providing an official record of your injuries for any accident claim later on.  If you were not taken to hospital, make sure you see your GP as soon as possible.

8.

Once you have been treated, and you are fit enough to do so, get expert legal advice – contact Accident Claims Direct (0800 01 53425) as soon as possible to speak to a specialist Personal Injury Solicitor.

9.

Remember – you should not incur unreasonable or unnecessary expense - even if the accident was someone else's fault. You have a duty to mitigate your losses in accident claims. If in doubt you should speak to your solicitor first.