Pages

7/29/10

Five Easy Steps to Claim Compensation for Whiplash

Most people feel that the process to claim compensation for whiplash is tough and full of problems. The truth is that with some guidance the claiming compensation is not nearly as hard as it is believed to be. This article will elaborate on 5 important steps that will help you get maximum results when you claim compensation for whiplash.

#1 – Start with the basics. The process for filing for compensation begins as soon as the road accident occurs. The first thing the claimant should do is check for injuries and then check if the other person has been injured. If anyone has been injured then the claimant should call for an ambulance immediately and get all injuries treated. If no one has been seriously injured or if the claimant prefers to go to a general practitioner then he can skip this step. Claimants should keep in mind that they should visit get their injuries checked as soon as possible since whiplash injuries can be very painful.

#2 – Follow the law. After the whiplash injuries have been checked, the claimant should contact the police or the local law enforcement authorities. This step is very important since to claim compensation for whiplash the claimant will require a police report that supports the fact that an accident occurred. It is important to note that many claimants get scared at this step and they often admit to being liable for the accident even though the accident was not their fault. Claimants should never admit to being liable for an accident without first consulting a personal injury solicitor.

#3 – Get proof. To be eligible to claim compensation for whiplash the claimant will have to find proof that suggests that the whiplash accident did not occur due to the claimant’s fault. The best way to do this is to find a personal injury solicitor who has experience in dealing with whiplash accident claims. The solicitor may ask the claimant to find a witness who is ready to testify in court or the solicitor may ask the claimant a few questions that will determine if the other driver broke any highway codes. The claimant will also need to prove that he suffered a personal injury due to the accident. To prove this the claimant will need to collect documents like medical bills, payment receipts and medical discharge papers.

#4 – Follow up. If the claimant notices any new symptoms like pain in the shoulder, pain in the neck or stiffness in his upper body then he should visit a doctor right away. It is important to note that whiplash injuries may take a while to surface completely hence all new symptoms must be treated immediately.

#5 – File the claim. The final step is to take the help of a personal injury lawyer and file the claim application. The claimant will need to follow up with the solicitor at regular intervals till the verdict of the case has been decided by the court.

No comments: