Personal Injury Solicitors

Accident Or Negligence?
- Ask Your Personal Injury Solicitors

How often have you heard the phrase "but, it was an accident?" It's typically one of the first things that you hear when an unfortunate incident has taken place, causing damage or injuries to one party. The party causing the injuries or damages may immediately jump to his or her defence, instantly claiming that it was, to all extents and purposes, unavoidable. Of course accidents do happen and when it was just one of those things no party should be held responsible for anything that befell the other. These situations definitely occur, but in the majority of cases when you are injured in some way as a result of an accident at work, when out shopping, when driving in your car or in a number of other situations, the other party may very well be negligent.

If it is felt that it would be reasonable to expect that somebody could be injured or detrimentally affected by your actions or lack thereof, popular conception and the law will determine that the party responsible must be held to account.

Making a suitable case for a successful Personal Injury Compensation Claim

Because there can be a disagreement and a definite difference of opinion between the parties involved, it's very important that you get as much information to document your case as possible. This can be challenging to put it mildly, especially as you may have some pressing things to think about at that moment. For example, you may have been injured and be in considerable pain. Your first thought is “how can I make this pain go away” and not “where is my camera so I can start taking pictures." However, it would be in your best interest to have your wits about you and to ensure that you do document the scene and get the contact details of anyone who may be considered an impartial, third-party witness to help you out.

In the event of an incident, attempt to obtain witnesses at the scene

We do live in a compassionate society in general and you will find that witnesses and others who are at the scene will be only too willing to help you in most cases. It's very rare for a witness to an accident to refuse to provide contact details and this information may be critical as you strive to prove that this was not a mere accident but was caused by somebody else's negligence.

Consult with your personal injury solicitors as soon as possible

It's also important that you consult with your personal injury solicitors as soon as possible, when everything is still fresh in your mind.
They will ask you a raft of important questions immediately in order to gather the information that they need to represent you. It's not in your best interest to delay seeking legal counsel and remember that even though you may rightly feel as if you were not to blame at all, you still have to be in a position to prove your case and have solid information to back it up. The insurance company on the other side, or the legal representatives for the defendant may well see that the information that you have is very telling and this can, quite often, lead to a settlement out of court.