What Steps Should You Take If You’ve Been Involved In A Road Accident?

Our experienced solicitors here at Lalloo & Company can help you receive the money you deserve to deal with the injuries you may have sustained if they were caused by the negligence of another party.

From the moment you find yourself involved in a vehicular accident, it’s important to understand exactly what your next steps should be. It’s often this that determines whether any future claim will stand a good chance of success or not, which can in turn impact how easily or well you recover from the injuries you sustain.

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Your First Steps After Being Involved in a Road Accident

No matter how careful you are as a driver, accidents still happen. Passengers and pedestrians can also fall victim to mishaps on the roads, more often than not through no fault of their own. These accidents can lead to anything from minor to major life-changing injuries. You may have to miss work to recuperate or attend medical appointments, so you may suffer loss of earnings. Often, your car or other property will be damaged, and you may have to foot the bill for repairs or replacement of that.

Luckily, if the accident wasn’t your fault but was caused by the negligence or carelessness of a third party, you can often make a claim for compensation for what you have suffered. But many people involved in road accidents fail to understand that what they do in the immediate aftermath of the incident can affect their chances of being compensated.

Provided you aren’t too injured and it’s safe to do so, it’s a good idea to take photos at the scene if possible. Take the names and addresses of any witnesses and ensure the police are called if necessary.

You should also note down everything you can remember as soon as possible after the incident. People’s memories can fade with time, and shock can also affect what you can recall, so writing down the details at the earliest possible stage will keep it fresh in your mind.

Again, at the earliest available opportunity, call experienced road accident solicitors and explain the scenario to them. If you’ve been injured or had property damaged in the accident, they will be able to explain what steps you should take next if you want to seek compensation so that you won’t be burdened financially.

From there, the solicitor can gauge how strong your case is. You can also find out how much you could possibly claim for the injuries you have suffered.

If you’re worried about the costs, our solicitors here at Lalloo Solicitors will be able to set your mind at rest. We can explain no win no fee, often known as a conditional fee agreement. In simple terms, this means that we don’t charge you any fees unless and until we win your case or have successfully negotiated a satisfactory settlement out of court.

Elements Involved in Making an Accident Claim

What does it take to bring a successful road accident claim? First of all, it’s important to understand who’s at fault. Liability is the main factor that could decide whether your case will be a success or not.

It’s often easy enough to prove liability if the accident was fairly straightforward. Some cases are more complicated, though, so make sure you keep records of the accident and what happens in the aftermath – for example, details of your treatment at the hospital or your GP, if you visit them. This could all form the evidence to support your claim.

Another key element when you make a personal injury claim is the total compensation that you could receive once the case is over or a deal is settled on. Your compensation could come in two parts – the first for general damages and the second for special damages.

General damages normally cover medical expenses, which include any tests that need to be done and additional treatment such as physiotherapy or counselling that will help you physically or mentally recover from your injuries. Our solicitors will help ensure that you get sufficient money to cover all the necessary treatment and medication so that you can hopefully return to your normal routines as soon as possible.

Of course, there are other areas of your life that will be affected after you’ve been in a road accident in Dublin. These can be compensated for under the term special damages.

If your injuries are serious, there’s a chance you may not be able to return to work immediately. That can affect your income, and if so, an element of the special damages you can claim could cover present and future loss of wages.

If you were driving at the time, it’s likely your car will need repairs, the cost of which can be included in special damages too. A mechanic will assess the amount of damage done and quote a total cost for repairs to your vehicle. Your claim can also include any additional costs such as hiring a car temporarily while your vehicle is being fixed or fares for taxis or public transport, provided you keep the receipts.

Other Forms of Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims are not just for vehicular accidents. They can also be made in a number of other cases, as long as the basic requirement is met – that there is another party at fault.

Work accidents, for example, can also result in personal injury claims. These could involve falls from unsecured ladders, factory accidents, electrocution, heavy lifting injuries, dangerous work practices, and other similar issues. Remember that employers have a legal responsibility to keep their workers safe, so if an accident happens through their negligence (rather than your own), they should be expected to pay compensation.

Even accidents in public places can result in personal injury claims. A simple trip or fall on a badly maintained pavement, or even inside someone else’s home or garden, can give rise to a personal injury case. You just need to be able to prove that the accident was caused by someone else failing to fulfil their responsibilities, not through your own carelessness.

For example, a slip and fall on a recently mopped surface in an indoor shopping precinct could legitimately result in a claim if there was no signage warning you that the surface was wet. However, if the property owner can prove that you tripped while distracted by texting or talking to someone on your phone, then this could lead to you losing the case.

It’s a complex area, but with the help of our legal experts at Lalloo Solicitors, you could make a successful claim and get the maximum possible compensation you deserve for a personal injury case. We can advise you on what evidence can help strengthen your case and will negotiate on your behalf to aim to reach a satisfactory final settlement. Call us on 01 6641800 or email us at info@injured.ie, so we can help you with your claim.