Frequently Asked Questions

My accident was a year ago, can I still claim?

Yes, you can claim compensation for an accident that no more than 3 years ago.

What is "No Win No Fee"

"No win no fee"is a term used to indicate that there is no fee to pay whether you win or lose your accident claim. When you sign a "no win no fee" agreement you are signing a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) which is a written agreement between your lawyer and yourself. It is drawn up in accordance with Law Society rules and protects you in respect of your own legal costs. There is also insurance available called "after the event" which cover the costs you will have to pay to your opponent if you lose. 

What are "disbursements" ?

Disbursements is the money which your solicitor has to pay to third parties to help prepare your case. For example, court fees, fees for medical or other expert reports.

How much compensation will I get?

Your compensation award will depend upon the extent of your injuries, your loss of earnings and any out of pocket expenses. The more severe your medical problems, the more damages you will get. A lot will depend on the extent of your disability and whether your condition is likely to progress to a more serious level.

Will I need to go to court?

It is very unlikely that you will be required to go to court as around 90% of claims are settled out of court which is why you can hire a lawyer from another town and not actually have to meet them. Some of the better lawyers may not live in your town so hiring a lawyer from another part of the country is not a problem.

Have I got a good claim?

To be awarded compensation in an accident case you have to prove that your opponent is at fault. This will usually involve proving that they have been negligent or have breached statutory duties. In other words you need to establish "liability". You also have to show that you suffered "damage" as a result of your opponent's negligence. "Damage" is the physical injury that you have suffered. A medical report will be required to prove that you have suffered an injury and the extent of that injury. If you have suffered psychological or emotional this will have to be proved too.

How long will my claim last?

This depends on your whether your opponent admits liability or disputes it. Also it will depend how serious your injury is and the extent of your disability. Generally, for less serious conditions, where liability is admitted, your claim could take around 12 to 18 months. For serious conditions, or where liability is disputed, the claim may take several years.