USA TV programmes, irritating telesales calls and some serious misconceptions in the UK are muddying the waters when it comes to defining ‘What is a personal injury lawyer?’. However, when lawyers in Preston provide this type of legal support, it can prove invaluable to countless people at their time of greatest need.
Unfortunately, some people are hesitant to ask for help due to the hard-sell tactics of dubious providers of accident assistance – the ones often referred to as ‘ambulance chasers’!
Which is a shame, if you genuinely deserve financial help due to a problem that was not your fault.
So, what does a personal injury claim involve and how do you choose the right kind of legal help? Knowing this will hopefully give you the confidence when you – or a loved one – have a problem that you feel deserves compensation.
What is meant by a personal injury?
When you suffer a personal injury it can involve physical or psychological harm. In other words, it can involve things that impact on you negatively but which are not visible, as well as clear injuries.
This could relate to something which occurred at work, when visiting a business or in a public place for example. It will have been caused by the negligence (carelessness) of an individual or organisation or could be the result of an accident.
In many situations, you would be entitled to financial compensation under the law.
Is it common to ask for personal injury compensation?
According to statistics published by the Ministry of Justice in the UK, there were just short of 27,000 personal injury claims in the last three months of 2019 alone!
Have we become more litigious in Britain, ‘suing’ at the drop of a hat? Interestingly, over the last eight years, the number of people submitting personal injury claims in the UK has fallen significantly.
How are personal injury claims dealt with?
Personal injury comes under what is known as tort law, which is a common law, or a civil case. This distinguishes it from criminal issues.
In many cases, these matters can be sorted out without going to court, A personal injury lawyer can negotiate a settlement.. In more complex or sizable personal injury claims – such as a fatality, or a major physical injury that prevents normal life – the case will progress to the Civil Court system.
The reasons to pursue a personal injury claim
It’s easy to think that no one will be interested if you have suffered scarring, broken bones, sprains, food poisoning, mental health issues or a work-related illness for example. Making a claim for compensation can seem far too stressful and overwhelming. People also worry about the costs involved, which is why lawyers sometimes offer ‘no win, no fee’ for personal injury claims.
The important thing to keep in mind is that with the right help, you can progress your claim with empathetic support, and get the money you are entitled to in law.
Who can help you with a personal injury matter?
It is important to find Lawyers in Preston who specialise in this area of the law. Ones with a strong track record and excellent reputation, who will give you honest advice.
Taking action on legal issues is never easy, and can be a long-drawn-out process. Cases that go to court can take 9-12 months to resolve!
However, putting your claim into safe, caring hands helps a lot, especially when you know your chosen firm genuinely has your best interests at heart.
