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- The first step is to contact us either by telephone or email or to fill out an on-line application.
A lawyer from our team will then contact you within 24 hours to take further details of your claim and to answer any questions you may have. The lawyer will also discuss methods of funding your claim with you. You may already have legal expenses cover through an existing policy of insurance, for example through a credit card, house insurance or motor insurance. An existing insurance policy may cover your costs of bringing the claim and you would not need to take out a further insurance policy to protect you against costs, which may become due. If you do not already have insurance cover a member of the team will advise you on the funding options available to you.
- You will then be invited to attend an initial consultation.
This will either take place at our offices, at your home or over the telephone, whichever is most convenient. Once you have provided us with further information at the initial consultation we will then assess whether your claim has good prospects of success. Providing we are satisfied that it does have good prospects and you are still happy to go ahead with your claim, if you have no alternative funding we will then explain and sign you up to a "conditional fee agreement." This basically allows you to proceed with your claim, knowing that you will not become responsible for legal fees. This will be entered into and supported by an insurance policy if necessary so that should you lose your claim you will pay nothing.
- We will then start work on your claim.
The first step is for us to send a "letter of claim" to the Defendant (the person/company who caused your accident). The "letter of claim" sets out all the details of your claim and your accident circumstances.
- The Defendant then has 21 days to respond to the "letter of claim" and then 3 months from the date of response in which to investigate your claim.
At the end of the 3 month period the Defendant will then provide his/its views on whether he/it is responsible for your accident, i.e. whether they are willing to pay you any money in order to compensate you. This compensation is known as "damages."
- If the Defendant does decide to pay you compensation you will then need to attend a medical appointment.
At the medical appointment you will be examined by a medical expert and a medical report will then be prepared to show what injuries you have suffered. The amount of money you receive will be based on the contents of the medical report. You will also be able to claim for any out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred as a result of the accident.
- If the Defendant will not accept responsibility we will put maximum pressure on the Defendant.
If the Defendant continues to deny responsibility, we may then have to issue court proceedings, although we would only do so upon your instructions.
- The majority of cases are settled without going to court and it is therefore unlikely that you would have to attend court.
However, we offer full guidance and advice throughout the whole process of making your claim and you will be updated regularly on progress being made.
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