Hiring the Right Legal Counsel for Whiplash Compensation

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

The first step of filing a whiplash compensation claim is hiring an advocate to act on your behalf. When you hire an attorney, you should do you homework to find a professional well versed in the mechanics and legalities of whiplash compensation claims. Whiplash injuries can range from very minor soft tissue damage to very severe neck and spine damage. For clear reasons, injuries that are more serious are awarded a higher whiplash compensation. When you seek legal counsel, you can discuss the details of the accident, the medical diagnosis, and the claims process in its entirety. Walking into a whiplash compensation claim without legal counsel could affect your chances are receiving a settlement.

Information You Will Need to Build Your Whiplash Compensation Case

When you hire legal counsel, you will need to provide the attorney with information of the party who hit you. This will include their name, address, insurance information, and vehicle information. You will also need to provide the attorney with documentation from your doctor or hospital showing you sought medical attention immediately following the accident and were diagnosed with whiplash. With this information, the attorney can build your whiplash compensation case to ensure you receive the highest compensation possible.

Steps Following Your Whiplash Compensation Case Submission

After your attorney has built your case, they will contact the person involved in the accident and their insurance company to inform them you are taking legal action for whiplash compensation. In writing, the attorney will provide an explanation on why they believe the third-party driver was negligent for the injuries. The insurance company or the other person involved in the accident will be given 21 days to respond to your letter acknowledging receipt. They will then have up to 3 months to investigate the case and reach a settlement. If not settlement is reached the whiplash compensation trial will begin and your attorney will present the information they have proving your case.

Whiplash Compensation How Much?

Compensation is categorized in two ways: general damages and special damages. General damages for whiplash compensation include medical bills, time off from work, and long-term treatment. General damages will also include awards for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Special damages will include whiplash compensation for loss of future earnings and the increased cost to live during the recovery process. The amount you are awarded will depend entirely on your career, the extent of the damage, and your attorney. If you need help filing a whiplash compensation claim hire a profession attorney experienced in personal injury law and file your claim with the court.

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Whiplash Compensation

Posted on May 12, 2013 by

Compensation for whiplash is something that many people wish to claim for if they’ve been in an accident that wasn’t their fault, and they think they have whiplash. Whiplash is the most common ailment in a car accident and unsurprisingly is the most common type of injury claim. Whiplash claims are very easy to start with the ‘no win no fee’ system used now in the UK.

Why should I claim?

You should claim if you’ve suffered an injury that wasn’t your fault. You may well be able to get private physiotherapy treatment which will really help. Of course money can’t really compensate you for the pain caused by a reckless driver, but it can help to take your mind off it. The truth is there is no way to compensate you for the pain suffered. Therefore a financial payout is the best you can hope to achieve plus the possibility of getting private healthcare to help you get over the pain of a whiplash injury quickly.

How do I claim?

Claiming whiplash compensation is straightforward. They’ll talk to you on the phone and discuss your accident and your injuries. Don’t forget that even if the accident was the fault of the driver of the car you were in, it won’t be your fault. You can still make a claim, even if the driver is your husband or wife.

Once they’ve established that your whiplash symptoms are such that you can make a claim, they’ll send you out a claim form to fill out. Once they have that, you’ll need to arrange a medical examination arranged by them. That’s all you will need to do. Claiming really is very easy.

How much compensation will I get?

How much whiplash compensation depends on the severity of the injuries. The minimum that you can receive by law is £1,000 so it certainly will be a sizeable figure. It’s quite likely that you may get a lot more than £1,000 of course, and it’s their job to get you the highest possible payout.

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Whiplash Injury

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

Whiplash Injury is a fairly common complaint in the UK. Whiplash usually occurs in low velocity car accidents, although it can occur in a variety of other ways. Common complaints include stiffness of the neck, headaches, and swelling in the tissue surrounding the neck area. It is possible to get whiplash in many ways such as playing sports for example. However, the vast majority of cases come from car crashes.

Whiplash Symptoms?

Whiplash symptoms can be quite painful, and usually involve pain and stiffness of the neck. In many cases you won’t notice the symptoms until a few days after the accident. In this case it’s not too late, and you should still see your GP as soon as you can get an appointment. Visiting your doctor is vital if you wish to claim whiplash compensation as you will need to have suffered injuries sufficient to warrant making a visit to the doctor.

Claiming for Whiplash

Claiming for whiplash is very easy to do. You may think that applying for whiplash compensation is quite difficult, but most companies make the whole process very easy for you. Once they’ve spoken with you, all you need to do is fill out a few simple claim forms and then attend a private medical  – arranged and paid for by them. They take care of the rest, so you can concentrate on getting better.

How do I claim?

Whiplash claims can be made by giving a company of your choice a call or by filling out the claim form at their online website. The process is quick and easy. They’ll have a quick chat about the circumstances surrounding your accident so they can understand exactly what happened. Once they’ve established that it’s likely that you can claim, they’ll send you out a CFA (conditional fee agreement) form to fill in and return to their solicitors.

How long does it take?

Claiming normally takes around 2-3 months from start to finish. If you’re thinking, whiplash how much, then they can give you an idea on the telephone. It all depends on how serious your whiplash injuries are, but it’s never less than £1,000 and can sometimes be £5,000 or even more. You’ve got nothing to lose as most popular companies claims are:

• No Win No Fee, where you keep ALL your compensation money
• Risk free to you, as if you lose you will pay nothing
• Expertly managed by expert solicitors

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Whiplash Symptoms

Posted on May 3, 2013 by

There are many symptoms of whiplash that can occur. Common symptoms include:

• Swelling in the neck
• Pain in the neck and surrounding tissue
• Tenderness in the neck area
• Headaches
• Stiffness and lack of mobility in the neck

Other symptoms which sometimes occur include:

• Spasms in your muscles
• Tiredness
• Blurry vision
• ‘Pins and Needles’

What should I do if I have these whiplash symptoms?

If you suffer any of these symptoms then you should see a doctor immediately about your whiplash injuries. Your GP will be able to assess your injuries and recommend an appropriate treatment. It can’t be stressed strongly enough that it’s important to seek medical advice.

Whiplash Symptoms

Can I make a whiplash compensation claim?

It’s very likely that you can. Whiplash compensation is often paid out when someone makes whiplash claims. If the accident wasn’t your fault and you’ve suffered whiplash or other injuries, then you are highly likely to be able to claim.

Claiming is fast and easy. All you need to do is contact a good company to discuss making a compensation claim with one of their skilled staff. You can either give them a call or fill out their claim form at the website you visit. Once they´re in touch they´ll go over the details of your accident and give you further advice on how to make a claim.

What does it cost to claim?

It should cost nothing to make a whiplash compensation claim.

Whiplash claims should run on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. This means that you keep ALL of your compensation. Win or lose, claiming with a good company costs you absolutely nothing. If you win you keep every penny, and if you lost you would still not pay a penny. We feel we can’t say fairer than that!

OK I want to claim, what do I do now?

All you need to do is fill out the contact form on the company of your choice and they´ll get your claim moving ASAP. You may need physiotherapy which may be better carried out privately. Most company can arrange this and many more things for you. They’ll also be able to give you an idea of how much compensation for whiplash you may receive.

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Whiplash Information

Posted on April 20, 2013 by

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash injury is a very common ailment which most often occurs when someone is involved in a car accident. In a car accident collision the force of the impact often forces the neck violently backward and forwards. Clearly this is can do serious damage to the neck and upper spine.

When do whiplash symptoms usually occur?

Whilst whiplash symptoms can sometimes be felt immediately, this is not always the case. In a car accident a million things seem to be happening at once. There are many things to consider after you’ve just been in a car accident, and probably one of the last things that you’re thinking of is how your neck is feeling.

In many cases the symptoms occur a day or two after the accident. This is quite normal, so don’t worry. Often the whiplash is aggravated by sleeping in an awkward position or the stress of your daily routine.

What treatments are there for whiplash?

A general piece of advice is to keep your neck mobile, and keep gently moving it. Pain relief is often needed as the neck can feel quite sore. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen will help with the pain and your doctor may be able to prescribe something stronger if necessary.

Physiotherapy is often the most useful form of treatment for whiplash, which will help you recover in the long term. Your doctor may be able to refer you for NHS treatment, or if you make a successful whiplash claim you should be able to get private treatment as part of the whiplash compensation package.

Can I make a whiplash compensation claim?

Yes you can! If the accident wasn’t your fault or if you were a passenger, then you can definitely make a whiplash compensation claim.

How much would I get?

How much whiplash compensation you can get depends on the severity of the case. The minimum you would receive is 1,000 and this could be as high as £5,000 or even more.

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Whiplash Injury

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

The alarm clock rings and you jump out of bed ready for the day ahead of you. You brush your teeth, take a shower, eat some breakfast and find yourself out the door for what seems to be yet another predictable day heading to work.

As you begin your commute and find the right radio station, that makes that drive oh so much easier it begins to rain, just enough for the need to turn on your wipers at their slowest speed. As you look up ahead you notice traffic is at a dead stand still due to construction in the area and you begin to stop.

Meanwhile, behind you 100ft back is a person dealing with all the same obstacles that you are plus some others. Perhaps they are on the phone, putting on makeup, running late for work or eating breakfast. And because of all these obstacles they don’t happen to notice that you’ve come to a complete stop ahead of them. At the last moment they slam on their breaks…..but it’s too late.

The strike from the force of their car carries the energy from the crash thru every molecule of you and your vehicle. Because you are wearing your seatbelt your body is restrained but your head and  neck are not. As a result both your head and neck under go immediate and violent trauma contorting your cervical spine into an S shape as opposed to it’s normal C-shape.

Under no-fault of your own, you have now sustained a whiplash injury. Predictablilty has gone by the wayside and in it’s place, the potential for what could be a lifetime of health problems.

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10 Tips for Finding the Right Personal Injury Attorney

Posted on April 2, 2013 by

Unfortunately you’ve suffered an injury sustained by the hands of another on the road. You’re possibly showing signs of whiplash injury or maybe even worse and your doctors have you on a steady dosage of pain meds. It’s time to seek the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney or claim solicitor but where do you begin. Let these 10 tips for finding the right personal injury attorney or claim solicitor  guide you to resolution.

1. Realize that it’s time to contact an attorney.

Auto accident injuries vary dramatically. They run from minor injuries to those that are extremely serious. Should you believe that your injuries warrant legal action it is important to contact a personal injury attorney or claim solicitor as soon as possible. The longer that you wait, the more difficult it becomes to take the case to trail and win. The reason for this is that witnesses and evidence from the scene of the accident become harder to find as time moves forward, so it is imperative to realize your need and act upon it.

2. Find a law firm that specializes in cases like yours.

Since you’ve decide to acquire an attorney or claim solicitor, it’s important the you find the right one. For that reason it is important to search out an attorney that’s experienced in dealing with the specific issues related to your case. For instance, if you are suffering from whiplash related injuries it would be best to seek out an attorney who has handled cases related to spinal cord injury.

3.  Get referrals.

The best place to get referrals is from your family and friends. Who better to seek unbiased opinions from than the trusted people you surround yourself with. Additionally, many people have used various specialized attorneys at one time or another. An example of this would be an attorney who’s prepared a will for your family. Although he or she is not qualified to take on your case, they more that likely know of a professional colleague that is, ask around.

4.  Do research outside of advertising.

There are no doubt reliable and successful attorneys that pay big money for advertising , while others don’t spend a penny on marketing. It’s best as a consumer not to make decisions simply based on clever advertising. Rather, research for a reputable attorney’s records on online via the website for your state or local bar association as well as contacting a lawyer referral service operated by a local or state bar association. The American Bar Association’s public service website,www.findlegalhelp.org, features  great advice about finding a personal injury attorney.

5.  Know which attorney will oversee your case.

Very often a firm’s lead attorney of claim solicitor may not be handling many of the firms cases, particularly smaller ones. Therefore, it is important that a client meet with the attorney that will be assigned to their case so there are no surprises. When it’s time for your trial, making sure you have the lawyer of your choice is important to your team’s success.

6.   Interview the attorney.

Potential attorneys should be asked a wide array of questions in an effort to learn more about them such as whether or not there skills and experiences match your cases personal needs. It’s also important to learn a little bit about the attorney themselves in order to help assess if their personalities are in line with yours as you’ll be spending a lot of time communicating with them.  Also, make sure to ask for references when obtaining an attorney.

7.  Find out if the attorney leans towards settlements over trials.

Ask how many cases the attorney takes to trial each year verses how many he or she settles out of court as this can inevitably have a factor on how much return you have on your claim.

8. Find out if the attorney is a sole practitioner or has a large staff.

Both types of firms have their pros and cons. Some clients prefer larger firms while others seek out sole practitioners. The argument for larger firms is that customer’s needs are easily met do to the shear number of staff working at the practice. Where as, sole practitioners say they are devoted to their clienteles needs on an individual basis, the quality versus quantity mentality.

9. Know the cost  upfront.

After an injury, auto insurance companies won’t cover the cost associated with hiring an attorney to file a lawsuit. Typically, attorneys or claim solicitors who handle personal injury cases do so on the basis of contingency. Meaning that the attorney doesn’t get paid unless their client wins. However, some lawyers do require upfront cost regardless of a loss. This is why it is critical as a consumer that you’re clear about the cost from the beginning. Should you win your case, in most instances, your lawyer will collect roughly one-third of the personal injury settlement, although this can vary by location.

10. Be skeptical of promises.

If a personal injury attorney is promising you tons of money, it’s best to be skeptical. A professional attorney will end up spending a good amount of time investigating your case and in doing so won’t make predictions about your settlement or payout.

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Filing a Successful Whiplash Injury Claim

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Every whiplash injury claim must be documented thoroughly in order for the claim to be successful. For this reason it is important that the claimant’s doctor documents all symptoms as well as the treatment provided. All receipts pertaining to treatment, documentation regarding lost wages and a diary documenting all emotional and physical discomforts and pains during and after treatment should be made available as part of the claim file. In order to ensure that proper procedures are followed when filing documentation, its vital to hire a competent attorney that is seasoned in the field.

Medical Receipts

The claimant should keep all receipts regarding treatment of the whiplash. This includes receipts for any doctor’s visits, medications, medical equipment (crutches, whiplash collar, etc.) and co-payments. This documentation will provide clarity as to the severeness of the injury.

Lost Wage

All time taken off from employment should be thoroughly documented by the claimant. Not only does this show the level of injuries sustained but it also helps in calculating the monetary amount needed for reimbursement for pain and suffering. Typically pain and suffering is calculated as to three times the loss incurred after the accident. In other words, if the claimant lost £3,000 in wages and incurred £5,000 in medical expenses, they can receive at least £24,000 (£3,000 + £5,000 = £8,000 x 3) in pain and suffering.

Keeping a Emotional and Physical Diary

Keeping a diary and documenting all pertinent information will serve as physical proof that the amount asked for pain and suffering is warranted. The diary should reflect any actions taken to alleviate the emotional and physical pain (doctor visits, amount of medications and times taken per day) and any occurrences of pain (unable to walk to the car, needed help to visit the bathroom, etc.). These events will factor in the amount of compensation the claimant receives.

It is best to receive medical attention and legal advice as soon as possible after any accident to ensure proper procedures are followed for any whiplash injury claim.

Hiring a Attorney

Hiring an attorney for the claimant’s whiplash injury claim helps to insure that correct procedures  for the claim process are followed. This includes filing a police report, an accident report with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the eventual lawsuit. The attorney should be experienced in both personal injury and auto accident cases. They will provide specialized doctors to examine the accident victim who will document the injuries thoroughly. They also help advise against answering questions or speaking to any insurance representative or opposing attorneys.

The attorney actually becomes the accident victim’s spokesperson. This means that all contact with the accident victim will be through them. This prevents any information or admissions of the accident victim being used against them and their whiplash injury claim in court. Most often the insurance companies offer minimal payments quickly in the hopes of reducing their losses. These offers don’t necessarily properly reflect true losses sustained by the accident victim.

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