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Gathering information and evidence for making an accident compensation claim

What to do if you're involved in an accident

Even if you are lucky enough to walk away from an accident with few, if any, apparent injuries, you will still suffer from shock and stress. Often, the trauma of the accident can prevent the clear thinking needed to record the details of the accident, which may be required later to support insurance and accident compensation claims. We hope this list of what to do will be helpful if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident.

Please select one of the links below for advice on what you should do if you are involved in an accident, and the information and evidence which will be needed should you decide to make a personal injury accident compensation claim.

At the scene of your accident
Dealing with the injuries you suffered as a result of the accident
Making a claim for personal injury compensation
Accident compensation claims

At the scene of your accident

Record as much information as you can at the scene of your accident. Some evidence may not be available later if you wish to make an accident claim for personal injury compensation.
Take the contact details of any witnesses to your accident.
If you have fallen, take photographs of the defect that caused you to trip and fall. Use a ruler to show the height / depth of the defect. If you cannot do this at the time, it is important to record the tripping hazard as soon as possible after your slip, trip or fall accident. Once an accident has occured, repairs may be carried out before you are able to make a claim for accident compensation.
If the police attend the scene, for example at a road traffic accident, make sure you take the attending officers' details. Their report, made at the time, may be required to support your accident compensation claim.
Make a note of any incident or reference number.
Were you injured in a commercial property? If so you will need to find out if they have an accident book.
Make sure your road accident is recorded.
Make a note of the insurance details for any other parties involved in the accident.

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Dealing with the injuries you suffered as a result of the accident

Seek medical attention and treatment either at hospital or from your local GP as soon as possible following your accident.
Important: trauma can mask the pain of some injuries, such as whiplash - make sure you are properly examined even if you feel OK.

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Making a claim for personal injury compensation

Keep a full record of any expenses you incur as a result of your accident. This may include the cost of medical treatment, travel involved in obtaining medical treatment, and even costs incurred by your family travelling to visit you whilst you recover.
Always tell the truth about the circumstances of the accident.
Do not exaggerate your injuries or the seriousness of your accident.
If you do decide to make a claim for accident compensation, remember that strict time limits apply so always seek expert legal advice as soon as you think you may have a valid claim for personal injury compensation.
You can find more information regarding making a compensation claim for all types of personal injury in our information and advice section.

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Accident compensation claims

Have you or a member of your family suffered a personal injury as the result of an accident. If you have been injured through no fault of your own, Clear Answers has the specialist experience to help you make a claim for personal injury accident compensation.

If you decide to ask us to represent you in bringing a personal injury claim, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for yourself. You will receive 100% of the compensation awarded.

Please contact Clear Answers solicitors on 0800 783 9019 and speak to one of our accident advice representatives or alternatively fill out an on-line compensation claim form. One of our representatives will contact you as soon as possible to discuss whether you have a valid personal injury compensation claim.

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