When you have been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, troubles and damage to your car and other property. Whether you were a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, getting in an accident can be a traumatic experience. Luckily you can be compensated for any additional expenses incurred as the result of the accident. There are a lot of different scenarios that can lead to your accident compensation. If you think that you should get some money back for your accident, here are a few ways that you can determine if you are entitled to it, how to open a claim, and what the next steps are.
Common Types of Car Accident Claims
Many car crashes that end up in car accident claims are raised because the injured part has suffered whiplash or more serious health issues. Rear endings are also a very common case for accident claims because the person who hit you from behind is typically held accountable. Other accidents like side swipes and T-bones are also accidents that the people open up claims for, but they are not limited to these incidents.
Anything that causes significant damage to the vehicle or legitimate pain and injuries could be compensated for the medical bills, property damage, and for the time and effort you’ve put into getting money back from the accident, injuries, and emotional damages. McGinley Solicitors LLP work on claims for road accidents that involve cars, vans, public transport, motorcycles, and bicyclists. While every case is different, there’s typically a clear line when an accident is deserving of compensation and should therefore warrant a claim application.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Once you have been wronged in a crash, there are several steps that you should take to open a car accident injury claim and get the compensation you deserve. Before you do anything you should take care of the logistics. Seek medical attention, get a report from the Garda, and obtain the other party’s information. In order to ensure that you receive the best possible resolution to your car accident personal injury claim, here are a few steps you should follow:
- Immediately you should get the name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information from the other party, even if you are not sure that you have a legitimate claim.
- You should also give your information to the other party.
- Call the Gardai as soon as possible. Should they not come to the scene, you can go to the nearest Garda Station and request that they take a report about the car accident.
- When you are injured, get the right medical attention immediately.
Obtaining the driver and insurance information is key. Not only will it help you determine where you file your claim for compensation, it is also imperative to receive a car accident procedure report from the Garda because the other party may be uninsured. They could also deny the accident happened at all. Another crucial factor is making sure you get the copies of your records from the medical professionals that treated your injuries.
What You Shouldn’t Do After a Car Accident
Possibly even more important than what you should do after an accident is what you shouldn’t do. For one, you should not admit to any liability. Avoid saying things like “I didn’t see the light” or “I didn’t know that there was a sign there.” Never say that the accident was your fault when it wasn’t, or you could be quoted for it and possibly lose your claim and compensation. Often people say these things when they are shocked, even if the accident was not their fault.
Another thing that you shouldn’t do is leave the scene until you’ve exchanged information with the other party. An exception to this is when the Garda tells you that you can leave. You shouldn’t assume that you’re not eligible for compensation if the other driver is uninsured or because you haven’t been injured. It is very important to tell the Guards about your situation to legitimise your road traffic accident claim.
How to Make a Car Accident Claim
Once you have all the information in one place, a good way to start is to see a professional solicitor who will guide you on how to claim after a car accident. If you got into a car accident and have followed the previous steps, you should be able to take the information to a firm that will help you finish your car accident claim and file for car injury compensation. The steps to file the claim should go as follows:
- Meet with professional car accident solicitors.
- Gather all necessary documentation and details of the case into one place.
- Prepare your application to submit to the Injuries Board and other applicable entities.
- Submit a road traffic accident claim.
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Make a Claim?
As soon as you get the information from the other party as well as the Garda, you can begin to look into a claim. If you suffered any physical injury, make sure this is checked first. After you have all the information in one place (this includes details of any injury you may have suffered) you can visit a solicitor and start your claim.
How Long do You Have to Report a Car Accident to Your Insurance Company?
It is a rule of thumb that you should notify your insurance company and tell the other party that you are opening a claim within two months. When you have decided to make a claim, you should make sure that the claim is filed within two years from the accident, or you could risk being disqualified and losing your claim. It is generally always best to make your claim as soon as possible.
Car Accident Claim Payouts
Once you have submitted your claim, you’ll wait for their response. If you were hit by an uninsured driver in Ireland, you will have to see to it that the other party is held accountable. Nearly 80 percent of road traffic accidents are caused by human error. If you were wronged, you should be able to get compensation for your troubles from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI). While every case is different, you could be awarded damages for medical expenses, lost wages and property, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering. If you follow all of these above steps, you will be ensuring that you get the maximum amount of compensation for your car accident.
Why Choose McGinley Solicitors LLP?
McGinley Solicitors LLP has been litigating claims since 1988. Not only does the company have experience in nearly every facet of car accident compensation, they are a leading firm in the process of solicitation. McGinley Solicitors LLP have three office locations in Ireland where you can meet face-to-face or talk virtually about your case. If you have had a traffic accident in Ireland, especially with an uninsured driver, working with McGinley Solicitors LLP increases your chances of getting awarded a large settlement. We take a hands-on approach to make sure you receive what you deserve for your losses, emotional damage, and personal injuries. Contact us today to get started on your claim and work towards justice.
