Prettys

ROAD ACCIDENTS MAY INVOLVE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS OF CARS AND LORRIES, RIGHT THROUGH TO PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

Road traffic accidents can cause serious injury and distress to those involved, as well as affecting a person’s immediate family and friends. When an accident has been caused by someone else and you or a loved one has suffered as a result, enlisting a legal expert you can rely on is the best way to get the justice you deserve.

We deal with a wide variety of claims in this area, which could involve:

Accidents involving any type of vehicle where you were either the driver or passenger in that vehicle
Injuries sustained whilst you were a cyclist, either on a pedal or motorbike
Incidents where you were involved in an accident as a pedestrian
Accidents that occurred when riding a horse

If you have been hurt as a result of an accident on the road for which someone else was either wholly or partly to blame, contact our team today. Our accident injury lawyers can advise and support you through a No Win No Fee claim for compensation.

No matter what the circumstances of the accident, we understand how significant the potential impacts of one are. This is why we are dedicated to providing tailored, straightforward advice, enabling you to reach the outcome you’re looking for and get back to focusing on recovery.

To support your recovery, our lawyers ensure any legal aspects of your road traffic accident compensation claim are dealt with swiftly and effectively.

Why Choose Prettys?

Drawing from a wealth of practical experience in the area of personal injury, Prettys’ road accident lawyers have helped clients from all walks of life navigate the legalities associated with a road traffic accident.

Our client-focused approach ensures you’ll benefit from pragmatic legal support that is tailored to your individual needs. Our aim is to provide you with the legal advice you need to secure compensation and get back to the life you were living before the accident occurred. It’s this same commitment to client care that has seen us be awarded the Law Society’s Lexcel quality mark, meaning you can rest knowing that your case is in safe hands.

If you would like to speak to our personal injury team about a road traffic accident or injury, contact us today on 01473 232121, complete our enquiry form or send us an email via enquiry@prettys.co.uk.

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Expert

Louise Plant

Senior Associate

Jade Boyle

Litigation Executive

FAQs

Who can make a claim for personal injury?

If you have suffered injury as a result of someone else’s negligence or breach of duty, then you are entitled to bring a claim for compensation.

Can I claim if I am a child?

If you are a person under the age of 18, then you can still bring a claim, but the courts will need to appoint what is known as a “Litigation Friend” who is a person that can conduct the claim on your behalf. That person generally tends to be a family member or friend.

Can I claim for loss if I am the relative of a person who has died as a result of an accident / incident that was the fault of a third party?

If the case involves an accident that resulted in a fatality, then that person’s dependants may be able to bring a claim for the loss of that dependency, and the estate of the deceased may be able to bring a claim for personal injury on behalf of the person that has died.

When can I make a personal injury claim?

There are strict time limits involved in bringing claims for personal injury and these time limits depend upon the accident and injuries sustained.

Generally, the rule is that you have three years from the date that either:

(a) The accident and therefore the injury occurred; or
(b) From the date that you were aware that the injury sustained was caused by the negligence / breach of duty of a third party.

However, not all accidents and injuries have the same time limits applied to them.

For example, if you wish to bring a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, you have two years to submit a claim, and accidents that take place abroad may be subject to different legal jurisdictions in which either shorter or longer time limits apply.

It is therefore important that if you wish to bring a claim for personal injury, you contact a legal representative as soon as possible who can advise you as to the appropriate time limits that apply to your case.

Can I get medical assistance to help my recovery through the claims process?

Generally, if it is the case that your injuries have been caused as the result of the negligence / breach of duty of a third party and they admit that they are at fault, then your legal representative can arrange for you to undergo treatment on a private basis that can aid you in your recovery from your injury / illness.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that there is a Rehabilitation Code that operates in personal injury claims that allows for the provision of rehabilitation to those that have suffered more serious and debilitating injuries, even if responsibility for the claim is denied.

Ask your legal representative about obtaining treatment such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy or counselling to assist in your recovery in conjunction with your claim being progressed if this will assist you to get back on your feet quicker.

How much is my claim worth?

There are often two parts to a claim for compensation that can be brought against a third party.

(a) The first part of the claim is called “General Damages” and this is compensation for the actual injury and therefore the pain, suffering and loss of amenity that you have suffered as a result of the accident / incident in question.

The extent of the value of this part of the claim will depend upon the injury itself, the extent of the symptoms that you are suffering, how much those symptoms have interfered with your home and working life and how long you are likely to suffer the symptoms for.

If it is the case that you recover quickly and completely, then the value of this element of your claim is likely to be less than that of a person who has suffered permanent, painful and restrictive symptoms that are likely to continue indefinitely.

(b) The second part of your claim is referred to as “Special Damages” and this is compensation for the financial losses that flow from the injury and symptoms suffered.

Examples of special damages include:

Loss of earnings and pension
Care received (often from family members or friends)
Travelling expenses (for example to attend upon your GP or other healthcare providers)
Treatment and medication expenses
Any home adaptations required
Vehicle repairs
Damage to belongings

Claims for special damages can include costs / expenses that you have incurred in the past, or costs that you will incur in the future as a result of the injuries that you have sustained arising from the accident or incident.

Again, the extent of these losses will depend upon the extent of the injury that you sustained, and therefore the impact that this injury has had in terms of your home and working life.

What is a “No Win No Fee” agreement?

The majority of the personal injury cases we take on at Prettys are on a “No Win No Fee” basis. This is a contract between the client and Prettys that confirms that if we are not successful in pursuing your claim for personal injury against the third party, we will not seek to recover the legal fees we have incurred from you.

At Prettys, we will not take on a case unless we think that we have a good chance of succeeding with the claim against the third party, and we will be upfront and honest with you at all times in respect of the progress of your case, and therefore whether we can continue with the matter going forwards.

If you would like any further information about the terms upon which we could conduct your claim for personal injury, please do not hesitate to contact us.

How long will my case take to settle?

It may only take a few months to settle your claim for personal injury if responsibility is accepted quickly by the third party and your recovery from your injuries is such that Prettys can value the matter swiftly and proceed with your claim to settlement.

Accidents / incidents that cause more severe injuries and symptoms and which result in the client requiring extensive and ongoing treatment before we can obtain a final medical opinion and prognosis may take much longer before a settlement can be reached and the claim is brought to a conclusion.

Can I obtain interim payments to help me if I am off work following an accident / illness or if I require medical treatment?

If the third party admits responsibility for your accident and it is apparent that the injuries / illness that you have sustained are a result of that accident or incident, then we can look to obtain interim payments on account of your compensation to assist you whilst your case is being pursued.

These payments can also be obtained to pay upfront for any recommended treatment or immediate needs that you may have and to assist with your recovery.

Will I have to attend court?

The vast majority of cases settle without proceeding to court. In certain cases, for example when responsibility for your accident is not accepted by the third party or if there is a dispute over the value of your claim, then it may be that you would be required to attend a court hearing. However, if this is the case, Prettys will ensure that you are fully supported in taking part in the court process.

Road Traffic Accidents

ROAD ACCIDENTS MAY INVOLVE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS OF CARS AND LORRIES, RIGHT THROUGH TO PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

Why Choose Prettys?

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Louise Plant

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Road Traffic Accidents

ROAD ACCIDENTS MAY INVOLVE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS OF CARS AND LORRIES, RIGHT THROUGH TO PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

Why Choose Prettys?

Title Useful Links

What people say

FAQs

Our People

Request a call back

Dispute Resolution | Data Protection | Employment Law | Conveyancing | Family Law | Corporate and Commercial Law | Construction | Real Estate | Wills, Estates and Trusts

Latest Articles

Louise Plant

Joe (Joseph) Jordan

Sheilah Cummins

Liam Hendry

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Useful Links