Being hit by a car in Liverpool, or anywhere else, is a terrifying and life-altering experience. It’s crucial to understand that you have rights and may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about your rights and how to make a personal injury claim if you’ve been hit by a car in Liverpool.
Immediate Steps After the Accident
The moments following a car accident can be chaotic and confusing. Your priority should always be your safety and well-being. Here are the crucial steps you should take immediately after being hit by a car:
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it’s vital to get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Report the Accident to the Police: In Liverpool, you must report any accident resulting in injury or damage to property to the police within 24 hours.
- Gather Information: If possible, collect information at the scene, including the driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, and any witnesses’ contact information. Take photos of the accident scene and any damage to your vehicle or property.
- Contact a Solicitor: It’s advisable to seek legal advice from a solicitor specialising in personal injury claims as soon as possible. They can guide you through the claims process and protect your rights.
Understanding Your Rights as a Pedestrian
Pedestrians have specific rights and protections under UK law. If you were hit by a car while walking in Liverpool, you are generally considered a vulnerable road user, and the driver owes you a duty of care.
The Highway Code:
The Highway Code outlines the rules and regulations that all road users must follow. It provides guidance on how drivers should interact with pedestrians and emphasises the importance of pedestrian safety.
Negligence:
To make a successful personal injury claim, you need to prove that the driver was negligent. This means demonstrating that they breached their duty of care towards you and that this breach caused your injuries.
Contributory Negligence:
In some cases, the driver may argue that you contributed to the accident. If this is proven, your compensation may be reduced.
Types of Compensation You Can Claim
If you’ve been hit by a car, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to cover your losses and expenses. These can include:
- General Damages: Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injuries.
- Special Damages: Compensation for financial losses incurred due to the accident, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, travel costs, and property damage.
- Future Losses: Compensation for any ongoing or future losses you may experience, such as future medical treatment, loss of future earnings, and ongoing care costs.
Time Limits for Making a Claim
It’s important to be aware that there are time limits for making a personal injury claim in the UK. Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, so it’s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
- Children: If the injured person is a child, the three-year time limit does not start until their 18th birthday.
- Mental Capacity: If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit may not apply until they regain capacity or a litigation friend is appointed to act on their behalf.
Making a Road Traffic Accident Claim with National Claims
At National Claims, we understand the profound impact that road traffic accidents can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, whether it be due to fatigue, distraction, or recklessness.
Free Consultation
We recognise that every road traffic accident case is unique, and we’re here to offer you a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your specific situation. During this consultation, we’ll listen attentively to your experience, gather relevant details about the accident, and assess the potential strength of your claim.
Our team will then connect you with a qualified solicitor from our panel who specialises in road traffic accident claims, ensuring that you receive the expert legal representation needed to pursue your case effectively.
*Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Contact us today to speak to one of our claims agents who will be able to help you get started on your claim.
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Excellent
This firm is excellent, they sorted out my car pay out and injury claim very fast, they always communicate with you all the time.
My accident case was dealt with confidence and with great result of the outcome, especially James kept me informed all the time.
I was very impressed at the way my inquiry was treated. I was listened to attentively and everything I needed to know was explained to me.
