Who will pay for my injuries?
By law all drivers must have at least third-party insurance cover – this is commonly referred to as “Third Party Fire and Theft”. As a result of being insured, the insurance company of whichever party is found to be responsible for the accident will pick up the bill for compensation and legal costs if the driver causes an accident and injury to any other party. This includes injuries which any passenger may suffer also, and they do not need to be related to the driver.
However, if the party responsible for the accident does not have insurance, this does not mean you cannot make a claim. Not only will the other party be breaking the law, but there is a Government body set up for scenarios such as this – this is called the Motor Insurance Bureau. Our helpful solicitors also have experience in dealing with these types of claims, so do not worry.
What do I do?
The first thing to do if you have been involved in a road traffic accident, is to take the name and address (and insurance details if possible) of everyone involved. This will make claiming much easier. If there were other vehicles involved also, do try and get the Vehicle Registration Number also.
You should then follow the below steps:
- Report the accident to the Police, especially if were you not able to get the other party’s details.
- Note down any damage to your vehicle and take photos of the scene of the accident if you can, and it is safe to do so.
- Get the names and addresses of any witnesses.
- Notify your insurance company of the incident.
If you believe you have been injured, even if it seems like a minor pain or ache, get medical attention. Whiplash is a term that we hear a lot, but it can also be extremely painful. It also does not come on straight away; after you have had an accident your body will be in shock, so it might not be until a few days later that you start to notice your pain.
The cost of claiming
As with other types of accidents that we deal with, you should be able to pursue a claim under a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement. If you’ve suffered an injury and you would like to discuss your options, contact us today to see how we can help make it right. Either complete our simple call back form or call us for free on 0800 170 7070.