subject: Things To Consider Before Making A Whiplash Claim [print this page] Firstly, you will need to ascertain that you will definitely receive 100% of your compensation if you win your whiplash claim. There is rarely any good reason nowadays why you should not receive all of your compensation if somebody offers to help you. If a solicitor has done their job well, they should receive their legal costs in addition to the compensation. It used to be the case that some solicitors would charge you extra, but there should be no reason to choose such a solicitor now.
Secondly, you will want to know what services are on offer after your accident if you are still suffering from pain in your neck. You may have been told by your GP that treatment is available, but that there is a waiting list. The best whiplash claim solicitor will be able to arrange private medical treatment for you, completely free, if they have enough expertise in their subject and area of law. Such treatment will allow you to get well as soon as possible, and it will form part of your claim, with the money for it being recovered from the insurance company of the other driver.
Another question that is widely asked is whether the solicitor that you choose has to be local. In the old days, people would have local solicitors: they knew you, and you knew them. However, the landscape has changed considerably over the years, and today, there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to use a solicitor that is not local to you, whether they are a few miles away or a few hundred miles away. The important thing to look for in a solicitor is the highest possible standard of client service. They should look after you, answer your phone calls and be helpful and efficient in their handling of your claim.
The fourth factor that is worthy of consideration is that of whether the solicitor you choose has to have any other qualifications. You will ideally want to find a solicitor that specialises and is suitably qualified in accident claims. Ideally, you won't want a solicitor that deals with the odd accident claim alongside employment claims and litigation, and will instead want someone who has in-depth expertise of dealing with a whiplash claim. You may also look for additional expertise in your solicitor such as membership of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel.
There are several other factors that you may wish to consider when choosing a solicitor to handle your whiplash claim. You are advised to make sure that you are not going to be charged anything that could eat into your compensation, such as administration charges. You may also wish to distinguish between those solicitors who will merely offer a whiplash claim service and those who will cater for a number of aspects of your life during this trying time, such as arranging for private treatment or replacement car hire. Lastly, ensure that your solicitor has a long list of satisfied past clients.
