If you were to glance at the various money claims pursued through UK courts, you’ll see that personal injury claims contribute by far the largest percentage of cases.
In fact, personal injury claims accounted for around 84% of all unspecified money claims in Q3 2019, while the corresponding number for the previous quarter was a whopping 91%.
If you find yourself injured in an accident where you’re not at fault, you too may want to pursue a claim. But this can be a time-consuming process, so here are some considerations to keep in mind when making a claim for compensation:
#1. There’s a Time Limit for Making Your Claim
You have to be relatively decisive when considering your claim, as there’s a time limit in place for the majority of personal injury cases.
More specifically, you’ll have a three-year window (starting with the date of the incident) in which to make your initial claim and start legal proceedings, after which time the court is under no obligation to hear your case.
A notable exception exists in instances where you’re making a claim on behalf of an injured child, as this will see the three-year time limit only commence once the claimant has reached their 18th birthday.
The same rule applies to people who are suffering from a mental impairment, so there is some flexibility in certain circumstances.
#2. Not All Legal Service Providers Have Been Created Equal
The UK is packed full of law firms operating in the UK, a growing number of which have moved to cover personal injury cases as the nation has become increasingly litigious.
However, not all such solicitors have been created equal, as while some are dedicated solely to the field of personal injury and operate a no-win, no-fee model, others provide standard representation as part of a much broader legal service.
Even then, the specific services offered by lawyers can vary wildly, with larger firms much more likely to provide a more comprehensive solution and one that extends far beyond securing a basic sum of cash as compensation.
#3. Personal Injury Claims Can be Arduous
As you can imagine, personal injury cases can be incredibly complex, especially as claimants are required to formally demonstrate the impact of an injury and how it has affected them.
Due to this complexity and the tendency of those who are the subject of claims to fight their corner, personal injury cases may take a great deal of time to be completed.
Overall, cases can take anywhere between two and five years to reach an agreeable settlement, so you’ll need to be prepared for this as a claimant.
Just remember, every single case, injury and claimant is different, and these nuances will have a direct impact on the nature and duration of every single claim.
