support@helpuclaim.com

When an accident happens our natural instincts immediately take over – our heart beats faster and all of our senses become heightened. Another normal reaction would be to move away from the scene of the accident and away from any immediate danger.

Your safety and welfare is always the priority following an accident. But there are also a number of things you can do at the scene which will help you if you later decide to pursue a claim for personal injury compensation.

If you intend to make a claim for compensation, it will greatly help your case if you keep a record of the effect that the accident has had on you, as you recover.

Points that you may wish to document:

• Any other health related effects of the accident (eg: insomnia, flash backs, depression)


• Medication taken and dosage


• Doctor’s appointments


• Treatment


• Out of pocket expenses (eg: prescription costs, taxi fares, phone calls)


• Days off work unpaid


• The effect on your normal daily activities (eg: unable to wash or dress unaided, unable to play football or socialise etc.)


• Take photographs of the scene of the accident, both close-up and wide angle. These may include floor coverings or holes in the ground, skid marks on the road, faulty items and pictures of the injury itself. Use a ruler if possible, to show the scale of the defect.


• Get the contact details of witnesses who saw the accident happen


• Find out if anyone else has been injured in a similar accident and if it was reported to the person responsible


• Following an accident at work, shop or in a public place, report the accident to a manager and make sure they write it in their accident book.


• If the police attend the accident, make sure you get the contact details of the officer who you spoke to. They may contact you after the accident and ask you to give a statement.


• If you were involved in a road traffic accident, get the name, address, phone number and insurance details of the other drivers. Also write down the make, model, colour and registration numbers of the cars involved, in case you are given false or incorrect details. Drivers can often be traced with as little information as a car registration number.


• Our body’s natural defences mask the pain of some injuries, such as whiplash – so make sure seek medical attention as soon as possible following the accident, even if you feel well.


• Call Help U Claim as soon as possible following the accident. We’ll give you free and impartial advice and discuss all your options with you, without any obligation or pressure to proceed with making a claim for compensation.