A personal injury claim is an opportunity for someone who has been injured in an accident to seek compensation. When you've been in an accident that wasn't your fault, you might have significant injuries and financial losses to deal with. Accidents can include everything from a trip on a broken pavement to a road traffic accident or injury caused by machinery. This might result in you needing to take time off work while you heal or pay for medical treatment. It can also lead to pain and suffering that should have been avoided, or affect your ability to take part in activities you used to enjoy.

Personal injury compensation is designed to account for any financial losses like these, cover your costs related to your injury and pay you for the pain and suffering you experienced. With compensation, you can gain access to the best possible care. If you are left with a permanent disability and need adaptations to your home or vehicle to accommodate your condition, compensation can help you to pay for these and prevent you from suffering any further losses.

Taking legal action is also a way to hold people to account for their mistakes, and prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. It often gives people peace of mind and helps them to take back control over your life after a setback like a serious injury.

A personal injury claim can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to conclude. While the process can be subject to delays in court proceedings, or the time it takes to receive a response from the other party, your solicitor will always aim to resolve your case as quickly as possible. At the same time, we'll try to balance a quick resolution with the need to secure a fair compensation amount for you. Often, the other party will accept their liability but may then refuse to negotiate a fair settlement. In these cases, we'll take your claim to court, but we'll always aim to reach an early settlement outside the court system to deliver your compensation as soon as possible.

When liability is accepted, it's sometimes possible to access interim payments. This means that you'll receive part of your compensation early. This can cover lost earnings and remove financial pressures from you while we work to negotiate a fair compensation total.

The first stage in making a personal injury claim is to speak to a solicitor. At Switalskis, we offer a free initial consultation where we'll talk about how your accident happened, the injuries you experienced, and who we believe was responsible. Then, if we think you're eligible to claim compensation and you decide to move ahead, we can start the process. For us, that means collecting evidence that proves your version of events, and then drafting and sending a Letter of Claim to the party we believe was responsible.

There are a few actions you can take before contacting us that will make the process easier. If you were injured at work or on business premises, report the accident to your line manager or to a representative of the business. They should record the details of the incident in the workplace accident book, which can later be used as evidence of the accident.

You should also consult a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident. Some injuries may not be apparent straight away, but can have serious consequences later. A doctor or nurse can potentially diagnose these injuries and treat them before they worsen. This diagnosis will also create medical evidence that can be used in court to prove your injury and its relationship to the accident you were involved in.

If you're able, try to take photographs of the scene of the accident, the location where it happened and any hazards that were present or responsible. Finally, speak to any eyewitnesses about what they saw and write down their contact details. Your solicitor may contact these witnesses later to support your version of events and prove the liability of the other party.

You don't need to build a whole case yourself, but any evidence you can supply before you start the process can give you a higher chance of a successful outcome. Once you instruct the team at Switalskis, we'll also strive to collect as much relevant evidence as possible to build a strong case for the compensation you deserve.

The vast majority of personal injury claims are settled before reaching court. In most cases, you're making a claim against an insurance company, and they will usually opt to negotiate rather than deny liability. Court proceedings can be expensive for the liable party, and our personal injury specialists are experienced in building strong cases that are very likely to win. In fact, estimates suggest that less than 5% of personal injury cases go to trial, and the number may be as low as 2%.

Cases may proceed to court when the defendant denies responsibility for the injury, the settlement offer is too low, or the parties disagree on the medical evidence (such as the severity or long-term impact of the injuries). Even in these cases, your solicitor will aim to resolve the claim through negotiation where possible, to make sure you receive your compensation as soon as possible.

At Switalskis, when we take on a personal injury claim we're always confident that it will succeed. There are no statistics on how often claims are successful, because most claims are resolved out of court, but your solicitor will discuss your specific circumstances with you and let you know how likely we think it is that your claim will succeed.

Because we're confident of our success, we usually offer no win, no fee personal injury claim services. This means that you can instruct us with nothing to pay up front, and pursue justice with no financial risk. We take our payment as a success fee, which is a percentage of your compensation that we'll agree up front. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won't owe us a penny in legal fees. We hope this gives you confidence that we'll fight for the maximum compensation that you're owed, and that we believe that your claim will succeed.

There are many factors that go into calculating how much compensation you'll receive for a personal injury claim. The two primary ways that Switalskis will try to maximise the compensation awarded are to collect as much evidence as possible, and to negotiate firmly for the amount that you're entitled to. We'll build the strongest possible case and pursue every line of enquiry to find evidence and back up your version of events. We will usually arrange for your medical records to be assessed by an independent medical expert, who can evaluate your needs for the future and make sure your compensation covers them.

From there, our personal injury experts will fight by your side throughout the claims process to make sure you receive a fair settlement. If we can't reach an agreement by negotiating, we'll take your claim to court to make sure you get the compensation you're owed.

If you're interested in making a personal injury compensation claim, there are also steps you can take to maximise the potential compensation you could receive. The main priority should be to collect as much evidence as possible of your financial losses related to the accident, as you can recover compensation for these outgoings. Keep receipts for transportation to and from medical appointments, and evidence of lost earnings if you've taken time off work. Any evidence of this nature that you can provide will support a claim for personal injury compensation and help to maximise your award.

Our no win, no fee personal injury solicitors do not charge legal fees up front, and instead take our payment as a percentage of the compensation you receive at the end of the process. There isn't a standard success fee, as it's based on factors like how much compensation we think you're owed, and how much work we expect it to take for us to secure a successful outcome.

When you call us for a free consultation, we'll discuss your circumstances with you and talk about what to expect from the process. If you decide you want to move ahead, we'll discuss the financial aspects of the case with you. At this point, we'll agree a fair percentage for our services. There may also be court fees to pay for, and the costs for medical experts or others to provide reports or statements. Beyond this, there will be no surprise costs during the process and you won't have to pay any legal fees until the case concludes successfully. Speak to our team today to learn more about the financial considerations that come with a personal injury compensation claim.

To support a personal injury claim, you will need to prove that you were injured, the nature and impact of your injuries, that someone else's negligence was responsible, and who that person was. This can demand a lot of evidence, which your solicitor will help you to gather and compile into a strong case. The evidence we'll want to look at includes:

• Medical records detailing your injury, treatment and prognosis. We may commission a report from an independent medical expert assessing the severity of your injuries and any long-term impact. If you have any photographs of visible injuries (such as cuts, bruises or swelling) from the time of the accident or during your recovery, these can also support your claim.
• If the injury happened at work and was reported to a superior, we'll ask for a copy of the accident report recorded in the company’s accident book. This also applies if the injury occurred in a public place, as it should have been recorded and we can ask for an incident report. If you were injured in an act of violence or a road traffic accident and the police were involved, we'll request their report on the case.
• Statements from people who saw the accident occur. If you can, take down the contact details of any eyewitnesses to the accident so that we can collect statements from them to support your case.
• Photos of the accident scene showing hazards or factors that contributed to the injury, including any CCTV or dashcam footage that is available. It's good to start your claim as soon as possible, as it means that this type of evidence is more readily available.
• Emails, messages or other communications between you and the party responsible for the accident. For example, any messages from an employer or a company acknowledging an issue, or evidence that you previously reported a safety concern that was not addressed, could back up your claim. Similarly, any complaints made to authorities or businesses about the incident should be provided to your solicitor.
• Expert evidence, potentially including independent reports from health and safety specialists, accident reconstruction experts, or engineers if liability is disputed.

The second type of evidence we need is financial, and it's designed to make sure you're fully compensated for the impact of the accident on your bank account. We can use payslips or bank statements to show lost earnings if the injury affected your ability to work, and factor in the costs shown on any receipts for medical treatment, rehabilitation, or travel expenses incurred due to the injury. Having a well-documented case improves the likelihood of a successful claim, especially if liability or the severity of the injury is contested. At Switalskis, we are experienced in building strong cases based on solid evidence, and most personal injury cases we take on settle out of court.

Winning a personal injury compensation claim relies on proving that negligence occurred and resulted in an injury to you that should otherwise have been avoided. Negligence is based on the following principles:

• Duty of care: We must prove that the defendant had a legal duty of care. This means they are obliged to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. For example, drivers have a duty of care to other road users to drive safely and prevent accidents, and employers must implement suitable workplace safety policies.
• Breach of duty: The person with a duty of care failed to meet that duty. This could mean that a workplace did not give you the personal protective equipment you needed, or that a local council failed to repair a dangerous pothole.
• Causation: Their negligence directly caused your injury. Sometimes it is clear that you suffered injuries in a particular accident, but in other cases we may use medical evidence or expert witnesses to prove that the incident caused your injury.
• Damages: You suffered losses as a result of the negligence. This can be the injury itself, as a compensation claim can cover pain and suffering related to avoidable injuries. It can also mean financial harm, such as lost income if you took time off work to recover, or had to pay for medical expenses or travel to medical appointments.

While the legal strategy we take will be tailored to each individual claimant, it is always based on gathering the strongest possible evidence. We're prepared to negotiate if the defendant admits liability straight away, but if it becomes necessary to go to court, Switalskis will present your case to a judge. Our approach is underpinned by a commitment to building the strongest bank of evidence and then standing by your side until your compensation is delivered, and we have a strong track record of success thanks to this approach

Choosing the right personal injury solicitor is crucial to the success of your claim. Before entrusting a solicitor with your case, take the time to research their track record, client reviews, and experience with similar claims.

When you speak to a solicitor, consider the following questions. Some of these questions can be posed directly to the solicitor you're speaking to, while others are for you to think about before you make your decision to move ahead with your claim.

• What experience do you have with personal injury claims like mine? It’s vital to choose a solicitor with a proven track record in handling cases similar to yours. While online reviews and testimonials can provide insight, speaking directly with the solicitor allows you to gauge their expertise and approach. Ask about past successes and how they plan to handle your specific situation.
• Do you have any professional accreditations in personal injury claims, or the specific type of personal injury you have experienced? Recognition by organisations such as The Law Society, Lexcel, the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners can indicate that a law firm has a strong reputation for success.
• Are you accessible? Legal claims can be stressful, so working with a solicitor who is accessible and responsive is essential. Ask whether you can meet in person, communicate via phone or email, and how often you can expect updates about your case.
• How strong is my case? Do you expect there to be any challenges? While you may hope for a straightforward claim, it’s important to understand any potential challenges in your claim. A transparent and honest solicitor will outline the strengths and weaknesses of your claim. If they offer a no win, no fee agreement, this is a good sign they believe in your case, as they only get paid if you win compensation. 
• Do I like the way they communicate? A compensation claim can take a long time, and strong communication between a solicitor and their client is one of the things that makes the process simpler. A solicitor who doesn't communicate well, or fails to respond quickly to your questions, can leave you in a state of uncertainty and frustrated if complications arise.
• How much will it cost? A solicitor should be up front with you about the financial risk involved. Most solicitors, including those at Switalskis, will make a no win, no fee personal injury claim on your behalf. This means that there are no legal costs to pay until your claim is successful. Even so, it's important to understand how much the solicitor's success fee will be, and whether there are other costs involved (such as the need to pay for expert witnesses).
• What should I do (or avoid doing) while my case is ongoing? This can help you to move forward with confidence while your solicitor builds your case and gathers the evidence your claim needs. It can also let you know how much your solicitor is willing to do on your behalf, versus how much they expect you to do.

Of course, if you have any specific questions, you shouldn't hesitate to ask them. You should only work with a solicitor you trust, and whom you feel comfortable asking questions of. The team at Switalskis prioritises communication and will be happy to answer any questions you have, to help you make the right decision about moving forward with your claim.