The Evidence You Need To Make A Successful Personal Injury Claim

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Strong evidence is key to a successful personal injury claim. This includes medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and photographic evidence. Part of our service involves helping you to gather what you need. Our solicitors are experts in figuring out what evidence is required to ensure that you have a viable claim for personal injury compensation.

Here we explore the types of evidence needed, how to gather it effectively, and why it’s so crucial for your claim’s success.

Types of Evidence for Personal Injury Claims

1. Medical Records

Medical evidence is the cornerstone of any personal injury claim. It provides proof of your injuries and their severity.

Key points:

  • Seek immediate medical attention after an accident
  • Keep all medical records, including diagnoses, treatments, and prescriptions
  • Attend all follow-up appointments and recommended treatments

2. Accident Reports

Official reporting of the accident is vital for establishing when and where it occurred.

For different accident types:

Don’t worry if this hasn’t been done yet, because we can help.

3. Witness Statements

Eyewitness accounts can provide crucial support for your version of events.

Tips for gathering witness information:

  • Collect names and contact details of any witnesses at the scene
  • Ask if they’d be willing to provide a statement
  • Let your solicitor handle the formal statement-taking process

4. Photographic and Video Evidence

Visual evidence can be compelling in demonstrating how an accident occurred or the extent of injuries.

What to photograph:

  • The accident scene, including any hazards
  • Your visible injuries
  • Any property damage

5. Financial Records

To claim for financial losses, you’ll need evidence of expenses and lost income.

Keep records of:

  • Medical bills and travel costs for treatments
  • Lost wages due to time off work
  • Any other expenses related to your injury

The Importance of Timely Reporting

Reporting an accident promptly is crucial for several reasons:

  • It creates an official record of the incident
  • It helps preserve evidence before it’s lost or altered
  • It demonstrates the seriousness of the situation

If you haven’t reported the accident yet, do so as soon as possible. Your solicitor can advise on the best way to do this retroactively if necessary.

How a Solicitor Can Help with Evidence Gathering

A experienced personal injury solicitor can:

  • Advise on what evidence is needed for your specific case
  • Help obtain official records and reports
  • Arrange expert medical examinations
  • Ensure all evidence is properly documented and presented

Common Mistakes in Evidence Gathering

Avoid these pitfalls:

  1. Delaying medical treatment
  2. Failing to report the accident
  3. Discussing the case on social media
  4. Disposing of damaged items before they’re documented
  5. Accepting early settlement offers without full evidence

How We Can Assist

Gathering strong evidence is crucial for the success of your personal injury claim. By seeking prompt medical attention, reporting accidents properly, and preserving all relevant documentation, you significantly increase your chances of a favourable outcome. Remember, your solicitor is there to guide you through this process and ensure all necessary evidence is collected and presented effectively.

At Direct2Compensation, we’ll ensure that your solicitor confirms the evidence you will require in order to support your claim for injury compensation.

To find out if you can claim, call us on 01225 430285, or if you prefer, . After just a few minutes on the phone, we’ll have enough information to allow our solicitors to get your claim started.

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Comments & Questions

Read on for questions and advice about claiming...

I fell at work lifting some frames onto van, I lost my footing on a step which was some broken breez blocks. I fell backwards and banged my head and then landed on my shoulder. I was taken to local hospital, they gave me a X-ray and I had a grade 2 rupture and ligaments, I’ve been off for 7 weeks with full pay. I’m signed of work till 18th July, also I’m having physio on a weekly basis. Since the accident at work happened they have made a new step. I’ve got photos of my shoulder, but none of the old step, it’s all been logged in accident book, from day one. On the evidence I’ve given you, do you think I have a claim? There was two other workers with me at the time of the accident.

Ian Morris

The steps that you fell from were clearly unfit for use and definitely an accident waiting to happen. Given your description of the incident, I believe that you do have a valid claim against the employer. It is good to hear that you have been paid whilst off, but that doesn’t cover the pain, discomfort and distress caused by the injuries and how it would have impacted on your personal life and usual activities.

Reply

I had an accident at work where I need to have multiple stitches on my thumb, went to my gp and she told me that it needs to go in the accident book so I went to work the next day and my shift leader told me it doesn’t and it hasn’t been recorded by him. But I have proof as my gp had to stitch my thum, its been about a year now but isn’t it illegal to not record the injury?

Ian Morris

Best practice would be for all employers to record all accidents at work, regardless of the severity of the injury sustained. Certainly in this case, where a nasty laceration has been sustained – serious enough to warrant stitches, then an accident book entry should be made. We would recommend that you put the details of the incident and subsequent injury to the employer in writing, retaining a copy of any such report for your own records.

Have you considered making a claim for compensation for the cut you sustained at work? You may well be entitled to compensation if the injury was caused by employer negligence – such as a lack of training, dangerous equipment without adequate safety measures or perhaps you have a working environment that makes the risk of such injuries likely?

Reply
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