If you have been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, then you could be eligible for financial compensation. If you are thinking about making a claim, or if you would simply like additional advice, then it’s definitely worth contacting a law firm to discuss your case. You will be able to get expert advice and find out your eligibility to make a claim.
- Choose a good solicitor to represent you
When it comes to maximising your whiplash settlement, the best way to do this is to choose your legal representation wisely. Not all accident solicitors are created equal and ideally you want somebody working your case who has successfully handled similar cases before. It’s also helpful if you get on with your solicitor as a person as this makes the claims process much more palatable. Once you have decided you would like to make a claim, you will meet up with your solicitor or be interviewed over the phone about your claim.
- Be truthful but do not admit liability
To maximise your pay-out, it’s important that you are as truthful as possible during your interview about how your accident happened and the extent of your injuries. It’s important also that you do not admit liability for your accident in any way. Admitting liability even partially can cut the value of your claim in half. If you are not sure about who actually caused your accident, state this. Your solicitor will build a compelling case for compensation for you, and you can have complete faith in him or her to do right by you.
How long will my claim take?
Plenty of whiplash claims only take 6-8 weeks to be processed if they are straightforward but some take months. Your claim will be against the other party’s insurance company and insurers are always slow to respond to claims. It’s also important to remember that they will investigate the claim themselves and this will take a few weeks at least.
What is the average settlement for whiplash?
The average settlement for whiplash is £1,000 – £2,500 for minor whiplash injuries with a recovery period of a few weeks but this rises to £3,000 – £5,000 for moderate whiplash injuries with a recovery period of a few months. Any whiplash injuries with a recovery period beyond six months have an average settlement of £8,000 – £12,000. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to depends on the extent of your injuries, your estimated recovery period and your prognosis for the future. All of these will be ascertained by a specialist in your injuries during a medical examination set up by your solicitor.
