Kent Lawyer Urges Road Accident Victims To Seek Advice On Compensation

08 August 2006

As National Road Victim Month gets under way, a leading Kent law firm is urging people involved in traffic accidents to seek advice on compensation.

Michael Longmore, personal injury lawyer at Furley Page Solicitors, said: “In the UK alone there are some 3,500 accident-related deaths each year and half a million injuries. When someone is an innocent victim in an accident they need expert advice as soon as possible on how to claim compensation for their injuries.

“And they shouldn’t be pressurised into using solicitors appointed by their insurers. They should fee free to use a solicitor of their choice.”

A member of Headway UK - the brain injury association, and the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, he has personally witnessed the devastating effects of accidents on victims and their families.

He points out: “Claims include compensation for the pain and suffering caused by an injury together with compensation for past and expected future financial losses. The size of the claim depends on a particular injury and circumstances.

“In cases where the award is more than £1,000 it is usually possible to obtain payment from the other side towards costs but if you don’t ask you may never know the value of the claim. Often there may be no expense to you.”

Although the time limit for a claim is three years from the date of the accident – it can be longer in some cases – it is best to pursue compensation as soon as possible.

Mr Longmore dismisses some insurers’ claims that we are in the grip of a compensation culture as “a self-serving, cynical campaign”, stressing that solicitors can aid the compensation process by offering free advice to potential clients, information on welfare benefits, obtaining medical treatment and negotiating higher awards than unrepresented victims.

Here are his top tips for anyone considering compensation:

• as well as keeping a full record of the accident itself, make sure you keep details of all your injuries, your symptoms and their effects
• get names and addresses of everywhere you receive treatment
• keep all receipts for losses and expenses including those for medication, treatment and travel
• keep a record of mileage
• if you lose earnings, keep wage slips for at last three months before the accident
• keep receipts for any insurance excesses, damaged clothing and personal possessions.

For further information contact Michael Longmore on 01227 763939 or email  Michael Longmore

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