Being involved in any kind of accident can be an incredibly traumatising experience, and that experience is always made worse when the suffer an injury yourself.
Following a personal injury, your first priority will be to recover from it. However, should you find yourself out of pocket or unable to work, then you may consider making a claim for compensation. It is actually your legal right to compensation if you have been injured through no fault of your own, and the law is on your side under the circumstances.
Tips for Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
To help you find a good lawyer to represent you in your claim, follow these three steps:
- Call an accident helpline
First and foremost, it is important to get advice following an accident. The best way to get advice quickly is by calling an accident helpline. These are operated by law firms and they have experienced claims advisors at the other end. You can call them to establish your eligibility for compensation, to ascertain the strength of your case, and much more. By the end of your phone call, you will have become better informed about your legal rights. One helpline we recommend is the one operated by . This helpline is staffed by experienced and compassionate claims advisors.
- Look to larger national law firms
You may be tempted to pop into your local law firm to enquire about your personal injury, but the fact is the best lawyers usually work for larger national law firms. There is, after all, a reason they are large – because they win the majority of their cases!
To find larger national law firms, you simply have to use Google, Bing, Yahoo or another good online search engine. Search for “personal injury law firm” and you will be presented with a list of some of the most reputable in the United Kingdom.
- Establishing the credentials of a lawyer
Of course just because a lawyer works for a reputable that firm, that does not mean that they are the best person to process your claim. First and foremost, your lawyer should have plenty of experience processing claims that are similar to your own. So for example, if you have been injured on public transport, then a lawyer specialising in accidents in public places will be best-placed to help you get the compensation that you deserve.
In addition to this, it is important to verify the legitimacy of your lawyer. To this end, all lawyers in England and Wales have to be listed on the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Roll of Solicitors. You can check your lawyer’s credentials against this roll simply by asking for their SRA ID number. It will also be beneficial to have their full name.