Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident that was not your fault? You might be eligible for a car accident compensation claim.
Whether you are simply looking for friendly advice after being involved in an accident, or are all set to start your compensation claim, our team of accident claim specialists in Edinburgh is here for you. With years of accident claim know-how and experience, our panel of solicitors and trained team members will listen to what you have to say, and guide you through the entire car accident claim process.
How do I Make A Edinburgh Car Accident Claim?
You should always get help from a legal professional who specialises in accident claims. Making a personal injury claim can often seem like a daunting task, but the team at Free Legal Justice is here to support you every step of the way. Our accident claims team in Edinburgh is happy to offer every potential client the chance to have their accident claim evaluated before they decide to make a claim. We want to give all victims of car accidents a voice, and the chance to discuss their personal injury claim fully and freely with a legal professional that specialises in accident claims. Our expert legal team deals with each case sensitively and discreetly, and will strictly protect your privacy and security throughout the entire process. The accident claims team in Edinburgh is here to listen to you and will give you a free assessment of the merits and value of your car accident claim after the first free consultation, with no obligation to appoint us as your lawyer.
Free Legal Justice has been working with car accident claims for a long time. We know and appreciate that accidents, whether minor or serious, can affect people in different ways. Free Legal Justice takes each case seriously and deals with each client on an individual basis, giving 100 percent of our efforts to ensure that you receive the rightful compensation you deserve.
Who Can Make A Car Accident Claim that happened in Edinburgh?
It isn’t just drivers who can claim for injuries sustained on the road – car accidents can cause injuries to all sorts of people, including passengers, drivers, and innocent bystanders. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you have a potential compensation claim.
Some frequently asked questions about Scotland and Edinburgh car accident claims:
Can I Make An Accident Claim If I Was Not Wearing A Seat belt?
As long as someone else is to blame for the personal injuries that you have suffered in a car accident, will most likely have a valid claim for compensation. You are not disqualified from an accident claim simply because you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. That being said, if the evidence shows that by not wearing a seatbelt, you made your injuries worse, then your compensation amount will be reduced. You will be found partially to blame for the car accident and your compensation payment will be reduced by your percentage of your blame.
Can I Make An Accident Claim if The Car Accident Was Partly My Fault?
Car Accidents are often caused by a combination of factors and, and can be the result of collective actions of different people. Even if you believe you were at fault in the car accident, this may not be the case in purely legal terms. If you are found to be partially to blame for the car accident, you won’t be automatically disqualified from making an accident claim. Instead, your total compensation amount might be reduced by the percentage of your blame. It is always worth talking to one of our legal professionals in Edinburgh about car accident claims, even if you think you have been partially at fault.
Can I Make A Car Accident Claim On Behalf Of Someone Else?
If the person who suffered injuries in a car accident was younger than 18 years old, or considered a ‘protected party’ who is mentally incapable of making their own decisions, then a parent, guardian or close family member may make a compensation claim on their behalf. If a family member has died as a result of a car accident, you may be able to claim on their behalf. If the deceased has a valid will, the executor of the estate will be responsible for pursuing any claim on behalf of the dependents. If the deceased did not have a valid will, the law sets out exactly who can make a claim following the death of a loved one. Making an accident claim for fatal injuries can get very complicated, so it is important that you seek the help of an accident claims solicitor before you make your claim.
One of the Free Legal Justice accident claim team members in Edinburgh will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to discuss your case, and will be happy to give you more guidance on the process of making an accident claim on someone’s behalf.
How Long Do I Have to make car accident claims in scotland and edinburgh?
Generally, you need to make a claim for compensation within three years of the date of the car accident, or of the date of diagnosis of your injuries. There are exceptions to this rule, for example you may be allowed a longer time period if you are claiming on behalf of a child or protected person. On the other hand, if the car accident was the result of criminal activity such as a hit and run, time limits may vary if the claim is instituted through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
what is the process of starting accident claims for scotland victims?
If you think you might be eligible for an accident claim, it is important to take steps as soon as possible to start your compensation claim. The first step in finding out if you have a valid car accident claim is to speak to one of Free Legal Justice’s friendly team of accident claim experts in Edinburgh. Our accident claim specialists will help you through the entire claim process, from beginning to end. Free Legal Justice will help you to collect all the necessary details and information about the car accident, and quickly be able to assess the best way to help you make your accident claim and get the justice you deserve.
If you contact a member of our accident claims team in Edinburgh now, you will receive free professional advice on the merits of your accident claim, so that you can know where you stand before you take any further legal steps. To correctly advise you on the merits of your car accident claim, a member of the accident claims team will need as much information as possible about the accident. You should have as much information as possible ready for your free consultation with one of our accident claims experts in Edinburgh, including details such as:
- How the car accident happened, and nature of the injuries suffered or damage caused as a result of the car accident;
- Your car registration details;
- The name, registration number, and contact number of the individuals involved in the car accident;
- Any police reference numbers or emergency service attendance details; and
- Location of where the car accident happened.
As a standard part of the accident claims process, we will send you for an independent medical examination, where a medical officer will conduct a full assessment and write a report based on your injuries. This medical report will be used in support of your compensation claim and will help to value the amount of compensation that you are entitled to.
Once Free Legal Justice has started your claim, we will also ask you to share any possible evidence that you have collected at the scene of the accident with us. This evidence will be used in support of your accident claim, and may include:
- Details of any witnesses
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Photographs of your injuries
- Details of medical appointments that you have attended
- Details and receipts of any medication that a doctor has prescribed to treat your injuries
It is important to keep detailed records of all other data, reports, and receipts which could be used in support of your claim. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this information right now. With a single call to our helpful team, we will explain the merits of your claim based on the information that you can provide. The important thing is that you get in touch with Free Legal Justice as soon as possible- the sooner we have the details of your car accident claim, the sooner one of our accident claims experts in Edinburgh can get started on your case, and help you get the maximum compensation that you deserve.
What Is My Edinburgh Accident Claim Worth?
The amount of compensation that you can claim in can vary considerably depending on the type and severity of your injuries. No matter how minor or how serious your injury, we are specialists in claiming for everything from fairly minor to serious injuries. One of our accident claims experts in Edinburgh will be able to value your claim once you have given us the details of the accident and the injuries you have suffered.
As a victim of a car accident where your injuries were caused by another person, you can potentially claim for any costs of any medical bills, loss of income due to your injuries, as well as the cost of repairs for the damage caused to your car. There are many elements that can form part of your claim, and the compensation amount will vary based on the seriousness of the injuries and the overall impact that the injury has had on your life.
A car accident claim can include what we call general and special damages. In summary, general damages are compensation for personal injuries, and special damages are compensation for out of pocket expenses. One of our accident claims experts in Edinburgh will explain to you in detail what you can include as general and special damages if you decide to make a car accident claim.
General Damages In Accident Claims
The general damages part of your accident claim is calculated by comparing the independent medical report with the approved Judicial Board Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases. This prescribed guideline sets out how much can be claimed as general damages for different levels of injury. The amount of compensation will depend on aspects such as how serious your injury was, complicating factors surrounding the injury, as well as the length of the recovery period.
There are many injuries that can be included in car accident claims. Some of the common injuries that the Free Legal Justice team deal with include whiplash, head and brain injuries, loss of limbs, breaks, fractures, and loss of life.
Head Injury In Car Accident Claims
Any injury to the head is a serious issue, because the brain is also at risk of injury. The amount of compensation that you will be entitled to claim will depend on how severe the brain injury is. A person suffering from minor head injury, with no injury to the brain, may be entitled to claim compensation in the region of £3,000 to £6,000. If there is major damage to the head and the brain has also been affected, the compensation claim can be over £20,000. The most serious cases would be those where the individual is left completely unresponsive and has suffered permanent severe brain damage. Such severe head injuries could fetch a compensation of over £200 000, and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Mental or Psychological Injuries In Accident Claims
Again, the amount of compensation that you can claim for a mental injury will depend on the seriousness of the mental or psychological injuries you have suffered. If you have suffered psychological harm that is ruled as temporary, and things are expected to return to normal soon, your compensation claim can be anything between £4,000 and £10,000. Where mental and psychological injuries are more severe or permanent, the compensation claim can reach up to £50,000.
Back Injury In Car Accident Claims
Back injuries are risky, painful and draining. If your back has been injured in a car accident, there is a high risk of spinal damage and it is important that you get a medical assessment to prevent any further potential damage. A back injury can result in decreased mobility, or even result in you becoming paralysed. A claim for minor back injuries can reach up to £9000, while severe permanent back injuries to nerve root or spinal cord can give you a compensation claim of up to £120 000.00.
Upper Body Injuries In Accident Claims
If you have suffered minor injuries to the upper body area, including the neck and shoulders, you may have a compensation claim in the amount of up to £6 000, depending on the nature of your injuries. If you have suffered more serious upper body injuries, for example dislocation and fractures, you could have a claim of up to £29 000.00. The biggest compensation claim that you might receive will be for severe, permanent injuries such as paraplegia, where the amount of compensation could be anything between £35000.00 and £100 000.00
Lower Body Injury In Accident Claims
Injuries to the lower body include various injuries to ankles, knees, hips and legs. Similar to other forms of injuries in accident claims, the amount that you can claim for lower body injuries will vary depending on the nature of your injury. Compensation claims for minor lower body injuries can reach up to £10 000.00. If you have suffered lower body injuries that lead to permanent disability, loss of limb, or consistent and permanent pain, then your compensation claim could be up to £25 000.00.
Your accident claims solicitor in Edinburgh will be able to estimate the value of your compensation claim once you have provided us with all the details and reports about the injuries that you suffered. The totals that we have mentioned above are not in any way fixed, and they are to be merely used as a reference point for the type of personal injury claims available to accident victims. Your case will be carefully assessed by one of our accident claims team in Edinburgh in a free, confidential consultation once you provide us with all the details of the incident.
Special Damages in Car Accident Claims
Special damages forming part of your accident claim will include compensation for any additional expenses that you’ve incurred as a result of the car accident. This is a broad category of damages, and can range from loss of past and future income, to costs of counselling and therapy sessions, to traveling expenses, additional childcare expenses, as well as nursing and household adaptations that you have made to help you live with your injuries. Whatever extra costs you have incurred that are connected in some way to the car accident that was not your fault, our accident claims solicitors will explain to you which of these amounts will form part of your claim.
It is important to know that special damages can only be claimed if you can show proof of the expenses that you have already incurred or will incur in future, for example by presenting receipts, reports, payslips and other documentation relevant to the damages.
If you have any questions about the claim process, or the calculation of your general and special damages claims, please get in touch with us by filling out the online form or by calling us on 0800 567 7074. Our accident claims team in Edinburgh is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are happy to answer any questions you might have about your potential accident claim, without any cost or obligation on your part. If you are unable to get to one of the Free Legal Justice offices, one of our friendly accident claims solicitors in Edinburgh will be able to conduct a complimentary home visit, so that you can consult easily from the comfort of your own home.
How Much Will It Cost Me To Make A car Accident Claim?
Our accident claims solicitors in Edinburgh are happy to conduct all of our client’s car accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that you will not pay a thing unless your compensation claim is successful. Free Legal Justice will carry all the upfront costs of your accident claim, meaning that you will only be charged the success fee if we help you to win your case. For victims of car accidents, a No Win No Fee agreement is a great funding option to pursue compensation claims, without the risk of being out of pocket.
No Win No Fee Agreements for edinburgh and scotland victims
A No Win No Fee agreement lets you continue with a compensation claim on the condition that if the claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us any money. Put simply, it is a way for you to take whatever legal steps necessary to claim compensation for your injuries, without any financial risk weighing over your head. Our highly skilled accident claims solicitors in Edinburgh are happy to offer No Win No Fee agreements to clients seeking rightful compensation for personal injuries, because they are extremely confident in their legal abilities and they have a track record of successful claims behind them.
A No Win No Fee agreement is a stress-free, financially-savvy way to claim compensation for personal injuries. Once you have discussed the details of your case with a member of the Free Legal Justice accident claims team, and given them the permission to continue with your compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis, your section of the work is mostly done. You can then sit back, unwind, and let your dedicated accident claim solicitor in Edinburgh do all the hard work for you!
How Much Will I Be Charged If My Accident Claim Is Successful?
The good news is that you will never pay us any legal fees in advance. A No Win No Fee agreement means that we only get paid if your claim is successful.
Our accident claims solicitors in Edinburgh work on an average success fee of 25% of the total compensation received for your claim. Your chosen solicitor will make sure to discuss the success fee upfront, and this success fee will be agreed in writing between the parties before you make your accident claim. If Free Legal Justice helps you to win your accident claim, we will receive the success fee as payment for the legal services that we have provided. Your trusted accident claim solicitor in Edinburgh will be able to answer any questions that you might have regarding the success fee.
What Happens If My Accident Claim Is Unsuccessful?
Free Legal Justice carries the risk of your claim being unsuccessful. If we cannot help you to win your compensation claim, Free Legal Justice will not charge you any legal fees for the work done by your designated accident claims solicitor. That means that you will not need to pay Free Legal Justice a thing if your claim is unsuccessful.
To ensure that you have full protection and are covered for all possible financial risks, the Free Legal Justice team will help you to secure ‘After the Event’ insurance. After The Event insurance will cover you in the event that you are unsuccessful with your claim, and in case the court rules that you need to pay a part of your opponent’s legal costs during the case.
How Long Will My Edinburgh car Accident Claim Take?
Every car accident is unique, as is the compensation claim process that follows the incident. Some accident claims can be settled in a matter of months, while others are more complicated and will take longer to resolve. The length of time needed to resolve a matter will rest on the facts of the case and the actions of both parties. Our experienced accident claims solicitors in Edinburgh have handled many of these types of accident claims before, and will be able to provide you with an estimate of how long your claim is likely to take once they have evaluated your case.
In general, the time it takes for your case to close will depend on how complicated it is. Car accident claims can become more complicated as the injuries become more serious, if the parties fail to agree on the facts, or if the accident was caused by a ‘hit and run’ driver, as this may make it more difficult to prove fault and legal responsibility.
No matter how your accident happened or who you think is to blame for the accident, it is important to speak to a legal professional from Free Legal Justice as soon as possible to determine whether you have a valid accident claim. Our experienced accident claims team in Edinburgh handle every car accident claim through a fast-track assessment and allocation process; so that our clients get the compensation they deserve as soon as possible.
The sooner you get started on your car accident claim, the sooner you will get the justice that you deserve. Contact Free Legal Justice for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our accident claims team members in Edinburgh today!
why choose our no win no fee personal injury claims solicitors that are based in edinburgh and scotland?
Free Legal Justice is here to guide you every step of the way. We appreciate that each car accident claim is unique and each victim of a car accident is affected in a different way. We aim to treat each car accident claim with the same care and attention, and we devote all our efforts to ensuring that clients are kept updated on the progress of their case. We will give you free legal advice on the merits of your accident claim, and give you an estimation of the maximum compensation possible based on the facts of your case. Our passionate accident claims team in Edinburgh is available 24 hours day, 7 days a week to answer any questions you might have about the claims process.
Whether you are suffering from whiplash, have lower back pain or are partially disabled because you were in a car accident, our team is here to help. Our car accident claim team is devoted to getting our clients the maximum compensation that they deserve as soon as possible, so that their lives can return to normal. With a free consultation and absolutely no financial risk to you, you have nothing to lose- get in touch with one of our experienced legal experts to chat about your car accident claim.
Contact Free Legal Justice at any time of day, on any day of the week, by filling out the short online form and waiting for us to call you back for free, or by calling one of our friendly accident claims handlers on 0800 567 7074. If you would like to discuss your case from the comfort of your own home, please request a complimentary home visit from one of our friendly accident claim handlers in Edinburgh today, so that you can start your accident claim.
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