It used to be the case that if you suffered a personal injury, then you would have to meet a solicitor in person to make your claim. Nowadays, though, it is possible to make a claim online, or on the telephone, with no face-to-face communication at all.
This is ideal for people who do not have the means to call into a law firm’s practice, or for people who are prevented from ‘getting around’ due to their injuries.
Making a Claim Online
While different law firms have different processes for handling claims filed online, most request that you send your details through email, or through a website contact form, so that when a solicitor calls you, they can immediately discuss your case.
The law firm or lawyer you contact needs to know:
- How your accident happened – so that a level of liability can be established;
- When your accident happened – so that your Date of Limitation can be established;
- Injury details – so that your solicitor knows what you will be making a claiming for.
This initial information should be all a lawyer needs to begin your claim, although you will likely need to provide more detailed information further down the line. For this, a telephone call will suffice, and you can forward any documents to your solicitor through email.
Will I have to sign anything?
When you make a new claim for financial compensation, you need to give your solicitor permission to act on your behalf throughout the claims process, and the way this is achieved is by you signing a ‘consent form’. This will give your solicitor access to any medical files that are relevant to your claim, and it ensures compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
You may also need to sign a ‘conditional fee agreement’, which will stipulate the terms of your contract. Otherwise known as a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement, this agreement will set out how your lawyer will be paid for their legal services and representation, and what percentage of compensation you will get to keep should your claim be successful.
What if I just want legal advice?
If you are not yet sure whether you would like to make a claim for financial compensation, then you can still speak to a solicitor about your accident without obligation. Simply call an accident helpline that is operated by a reputable law firm, to get your claims-related questions answered. And should you wish to make a claim after speaking to a solicitor, then at least you can, since you will have called a law firm that specialises in personal injuries.