Compensation FAQs
How do I know if I can claim?
If you have suffered injury due to an accident that wasn’t your fault and someone else was to blame, then it is likely that you can claim. We will allocate you a local solicitor who will give you a free initial appointment and will let you know if they believe that you have a case to pursue.
How can I get in touch with you?
There are various ways to get in touch with us, the easiest being:
Will my solicitor be local?
We always try to allocate a local solicitor. You can choose where you would like your solicitor to be local to, i.e. you may want a solicitor closer to work rather than home. This can sometimes be hard as we may not have a solicitor in your area, however if this is the case, many solicitors will also offer home visits.
I cannot get out and about since my accident. Will a solicitor visit me at home?
Most solicitors will offer home visits, however if we allocate a solicitor who is not able to visit you at home, get back in touch with us and we will re-allocate someone else.
What if I cannot afford to pay for a solicitor?
If a solicitor takes on your case, they will talk you through all the options of funding your case. There are various options including Conditional Fee Agreements, which funds your case for you, meaning you do not have to pay your solicitor.
My accident was caused by a friend/neighbour. Will they have to pay if I win?
Your solicitor will only pursue your case if whoever caused the accident has sufficient insurance or other assets to pay for any damages you may be awarded.
I have had an accident at work, can I make a claim?
All employers are insured against this and will cover an accident at work through the employee's liability insurance.
What about the Compensation Culture I hear so much about?
When you are injured, your financial losses can be considerable: loss of wages, travel costs, etc..., before you even think about your own pain and suffering. The law is there to help you get the compensation you deserve and to stop others from having to suffer in the future.
Why would I need insurance?
If you lose your case, you are liable for the other sides costs and your expenses incurred during the running of your case, e.g. obtaining medical reports. Insurance can cover these expenses should you lose your case. Your solicitor will check if you already have this, for example as part of your car or household insurance and if not, arrange it for you.
What is a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA)?
A Conditional Fee Agreement or 'No Win No Fee' Agreement is an arrangement that frees you from having to pay your solicitor if you do not win your case. If you win, you agree with your solicitor a ‘success fee’ over and above any costs you are awarded. This is normally paid by the insurers of the person responsible for your accident.
What does ‘Success Fee’ mean?
With every injury compensation claim undertaken on a conditional fee agreement (CFA), the solicitor carries an element of risk. This element of risk is then reflected in a success fee which will be clearly set out in the CFA showing when this is applicable and at what percentage this will be.
A success fee can never be more than 100% and is an additional charge on top of the solicitors base hourly rate. This percentage varies depending on the type of personal injury case they are undertaking.
Who pays if I win?
Your Accident Line solicitor will check that your opponent has valid insurance or sufficient other assets to cover your claim. The opponent’s insurers will usually pay any compensation under the terms of their insurance.
What if I don’t win?
At the beginning of your case, your solicitor will check your current insurance policies to see if you already have legal expenses insurance. If not, they will explain the options available to you to ensure you do not end up paying the other sides costs if your claim loses, which may be an After the Event insurance policy.
For more information, please see our Jargon Buster section.