Ashtons Legal offer a free initial, no obligation, consultation. Please call us on 0800 587 0093 or contact us online.
Once we have talked to you about how the accident happened and how you came to be injured, we will then be able to advise whether we believe that your claim is likely to succeed and how we can help and support you.
It is important that you do not delay in contacting us. There are strict time limits in most personal injury claims which occur in the UK, a claim must be made within 3 years; however, if the accident has happened abroad, or on a boat or plane, different (shorter) time limits are likely to apply.
Having worked out who was to blame for your accident, we will gather the evidence to establish this and to support your claim for compensation.
As well as obtaining statements from those who know you, we will also ask you to attend appointments with various experts for the purpose of preparing reports in support of your claim. For example, experts in care, medicine and rehabilitation. We shall also consider instructing a specialist barrister, who will then form part of your legal team.
Once the evidence has been finalised and your claim for compensation has been calculated, it will be presented to the insurers for their consideration. Negotiations will normally then start. You will be kept fully updated, every step of the way.
If we can’t agree the right level of compensation with the insurers (or they are unwilling to accept they are to blame), Court proceedings will be issued in order to protect your position and ensure that you are properly compensated. We know that the thought of a case going to Court is likely to be stressful for you; however, it rare for cases to actually go before a Judge, with over 95% of cases settling. Again, we will ensure that you are kept fully updated.
With regards to timescales, every case is different and very much depends upon the type of injury suffered and whether the insurers accept they are to blame. Some cases can take years to settle due to their complexity; however, in most cases, we can obtain interim payments to help cover your ongoing costs (for example loss of earnings). We also have arrangements with various organisations who are able to provide treatment / support on deferred terms.
Ashtons Legal also employ ‘in-house’ specialists who are able to advise you with regards to claiming any benefits and support you may be entitled to.