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What evidence do I need to make a personal injury claim?

We specialise in helping victims claim the compensation they deserve. Here’s what you need to know about gathering evidence when making a claim for personal injury.

Making a claim for personal injury

A personal injury claim is a claim you can make if you were the victim of an accident where someone else was at fault. Thus, when you make a personal injury claim, your lawyers will require you to help gather and present all the evidence necessary to help make your claim successful.

Areas in which can make a personal injury claim can include, but are not limited to:

As a claimant, you need to be able to prove that you were injured directly as the result of another person’s accident or negligence when making a claim for personal injury.

The required evidence will vary depending on the type of personal injury suffered, however, there are multiple pieces of evidence you should provide for any claim. This evidence might include the following:

  • The names and contact details of anyone involved in the accident, including any witnesses to the event
  • The type and location of the accident
  • What type of injury or injuries you suffered as a result of the accident
  • The date and time of the accident
  • The names and wards of the doctors and medical staff who treated you as a result of the accident. Your solicitor may also recommend you be assessed by an independent medical expert who will produce a report to help substantiate your claim
  • The dates and times of any subsequent medical visits
  • Photographs of your injuries, including any subsequent scarring
  • Pictures of the accident site showing the aftermath of the accident (if possible)
  • Diagrams depicting how the accident occurred (e.g., which direction cars were travelling in an RTA)
  • Reports from police or emergency services if they attended the scene or a copy of the RIDDOR accident report from your employer
  • A diary detailing any appointments you had regarding your injury, as well as your physical and mental condition. Keep track of any things you need assistance with, such as if your spouse has to help you get dressed, or you are unable to do your grocery shopping without help.
  • Details and receipts of any expenses incurred as the result of your accident, including things like the travel cost to get to doctor appointments or work if you are unable to drive.

On top of these, you can include any other evidence you think might be useful in making your claim successful.

What insurance details do you give in an accident?

Some accidents, usually those involving traffic collisions, require you to share various insurance details. If you’re unsure what insurance details to give in an accident, the Insurance Information Institute recommends the following:

  • The registration number of the vehicles involved if it was a road accident
  • Proof of ownership for any personal belongings ruined in the accident that you are seeking compensation for.
  • The name of your insurance company
  • Your insurance policy number

For more information on what insurance details to give in an accident, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer.

Seeking expert legal advice

We always advise clients to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity when trying to claim for personal injury.

Although you have, in most cases, three years in which to submit a personal injury compensation claim to court, it is far easier to collect evidence in the aftermath of an accident when information is easily available, and the experience is still fresh in your mind and those of your witnesses.

It’s also important to remember that, in addition to the above evidence to prove the extent and cause of your injuries, you will also need to prove your identity and that you have the means to pay the defendant’s legal expenses if your claim is unsuccessful.

The latter usually comes in the form of insurance which you may already have as part of your home insurance, or which you can take out through an “after the event” insurance policy. This information is also required by your lawyer in order for them to meet regulations that prevent money laundering.

If you think you’re eligible for a personal injury claim but are unsure what steps to take, you can find out all about how to make a personal injury claim right here.

Alternatively, you can talk to our experts directly. We’re happy to offer a free, no-obligation conversation to answer your questions about how to make a personal injury claim.

    Start by speaking to our expert team now and find out how much your claim could be worth...

    Am I eligible?

    If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to an accident or someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. You have 3 years to make a personal injury claim, but the earlier you make the claim, the more likely you are to be successful in winning compensation.
    Exceptions to this can include industrial disease or if you were a child at the time of the accident. In these cases, you may have an even longer period to claim.

    Find out more

    How much could I claim?

    As every personal injury claim is different, the amount of compensation paid out can differ on a case to case basis. Varying factors leading to the final figure may include the extent of your injuries, earnings missed out on, future losses, and more.
    Speak to our dedicated team of experts and we’ll give you an indication of how much you could potentially claim.

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    How does the process work?

    We understand that, when making a claim, it’s important to know what to expect and when to expect it. That’s why we make the process as transparent & clear as possible.
    Your solicitor will gather all the necessary evidence and notify the negligent party that you wish to begin claim proceedings. With your solicitor negotiating on your behalf, you’ll be kept up to date every step of the way.

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