Personal Injury Solicitors Wakefield

Personal Injury Solicitors in Wakefield

For getting your life back on track

If you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by someone else, and believe you're entitled to make a compensation claim, it's vital to choose the right solicitors. Seeking compensation can seem overwhelming and stressful in many cases, but working with the personal injury specialists at Switalskis can make a big difference. Our team specialises in claims arising from road traffic accidents, injuries at work and incidents in public places.

However, our expertise goes beyond expert advice and legal representation. We take the time to understand every client and their circumstances to maximise the compensation they receive. We know that some accidents can lead to life-changing injuries and that compensation is even more important in these cases, so we'll take on the bulk of the legal responsibility and keep the claim moving on your behalf. That means you'll have more time to focus on your recovery, or adjust to your new circumstances if injuries are permanent.

Switalskis can support you no matter the type of injuries you've sustained. Whether you've suffered cuts and bruises, a fracture or a serious spine or brain injury, you're entitled to make a personal injury claim if the accident wasn't your fault. We're committed to upholding your rights and securing the best possible outcome for you. Call us on 0800 138 0458 or use our contact form to get in touch via the website.

Give us a call today on 0800 138 0458, or contact us through the website to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim at a time that is suitable for you.

What are the types of personal injury claims?

Personal injury claims come in various shapes and sizes, each with its own set of rules, challenges and considerations. At Switalskis, we've got the expertise to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. Here's a quick rundown of the various types of personal injury claims we can help you with:

Read what our clients had to say about the help they received from Switalskis

Find our personal injury solicitors in Wakefield:

Our Wakefield office is located on Cheapside and is easy to find on foot from Wakefield Museum, or accessible via the city's railway stations, Wakefield Westgate and Wakefield Kirkgate. We can also offer remote consultations for clients who are unable to travel.

Contact our Wakefield office

Switalskis Solicitors Ltd
19 Cheapside
Wakefield
WF1 2SD

How to find us in Wakefield

Our office is within easy reach of Wakefield's railway stations. It's easy to find and is a short walk from Wakefield Museum on Cheapside.

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What happens during the personal injury claims process?

Personal injury claims don't always proceed at the same pace, and there are sometimes unexpected surprises along the way. However, for the most part, the claims process will unfold along the following lines, and hit all of these key steps:

Step 1: Initial consultation

During a free consultation, we'll discuss the situation in which you were injured and identify who was responsible. This will enable us to determine whether you're entitled to claim under the law. If you decide to move ahead, we'll get started on the process straight away.

Step 2: Establishing your claim

The next step is to gather evidence to prove that you were injured due to someone else's negligence. Your solicitor will have an independent medical professional review your medical records and offer their expert opinion. We'll also seek statements from eyewitnesses, photographs and any video footage of the accident or the scene. If you've suffered multiple injuries, we'll establish all of these clearly with our evidence to maximise the amount of compensation you can claim.

Step 3: Notifying the defendant

With a strong case built, we'll issue a letter of claim to the party responsible for your injury. This might be another road user, your employer, or the local council if your accident happened in a public setting. The letter of claim explains how much compensation you're seeking based on the evidence we've gathered. The other party will have a few months to investigate and decide whether or not they accept their responsibility.

Step 4: Negotiation

In almost all personal injury claims, the liable party admits their responsibility for the accident immediately and the process moves into the negotiation phase. We negotiate with the defendant or their insurance provider to reach a fair settlement figure and secure your compensation outside the courtroom.

Step 5: Court proceedings (where necessary)

If the defendant denies their liability or won't agree a fair compensation amount, we'll take the matter to court and represent you during hearings to secure a settlement. Our personal injury department can present evidence to a judge and argue for the maximum compensation that you're entitled to claim.

Step 6: Settlement and compensation

When your claim is successful, you'll receive a compensation award either as a lump sum or as a series of instalments, depending on your needs and what's agreed with the judge. We may be able to secure interim payments, which means that you'll receive some of your compensation early, in cases where there are urgent financial needs to be met. When you claim on a no win, no fee basis, you'll also pay your legal costs at this stage.

We know that the claims process can be daunting, but we're here to make it as smooth as possible.

How much is a personal injury compensation claim worth?

Every compensation claim is different, as the amount you could be owed is based on the specifics of your injury and the circumstances surrounding it. Claims are broken down into two categories:

  • General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenity that resulted from your injuries. These are calculated based on Judicial College Guidelines, which establish compensation ranges for different types of injuries based on previous decisions. Severe injuries that could have a long-term effect on your health will generally result in more compensation than minor injuries that will heal completely.
  • Special damages address any financial losses related to your accident. They are calculated based on receipts, invoices and other evidence, and can include:
  • Loss of earnings (both past and projected future earnings if you're left unable to work).
  • Medical treatment costs.
  • Travel expenses to and from medical appointments.
  • Costs of care or assistance, whether provided by professionals or family members.
  • Costs of repairing or replacing damaged property.

At Switalskis, we offer a no win, no fee service. This means that you can make a claim without any financial risk, and there are no legal fees to pay if the claim is unsuccessful. If you secure compensation on a no win, no fee basis, you'll instead pay a percentage of your compensation as a success fee. This is agreed in advance and taken into account during negotiations, so we'll make sure you have enough compensation to support your needs and cover the legal costs.

Is there a time limit for making a claim?

The general time limit for making a personal injury claim in England and Wales is three years from the date of the injury. If the injury wasn't immediately apparent or could not be connected to your accident straight away, the time limit may begin from the date you first realised the injury was linked to the negligence or breach of duty (known as the “date of knowledge”), or when you should have realised this was the case.

This limit also applies to claims on behalf of someone who has died. When a person dies because of their injuries, any claim must be started within three years of the date of death or the date the family became aware of the cause. The time limit only applies to starting a claim, and some claims may take longer than three years to conclude.

There are limited exceptions to this rule, so it's important to act quickly. The only situations in which a claim outside the three year period may be possible involve:

  • Children: claims involving children do not have a time limit until they turn 18. The three-year time limit begins on the child's 18th birthday, meaning they have until they turn 21 to start a claim. A parent or other litigation friend can claim on their behalf at any time before they turn 18.
  • Mental capacity: when an injured person lacks mental capacity, there is no time limit. If they later regain their capacity, the three-year time limit will apply and begins from the date they regained capacity.

If you're concerned that you have missed the relevant time limit and are unable to claim, speak to the team at Switalskis. The court may allow late claims in some cases, particularly if there was a good reason that you could not claim within the relevant time limit. Our expert solicitors can advise you on whether it's possible to claim in your case.

Contact us today and let's start your journey towards recovery together. Call us today on 0800 1380 458, or get in touch via our form.

Our personal injury claims specialists

photo of Mark Hollinghurst
Mark HollinghurstManaging Director
Image of John McQuater
John McQuaterDirector and Solicitor Advocate
Photo of Diane Parker
Diane ParkerDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Stephanie Veysey
Stephanie VeyseySenior Associate Solicitor
Photo of Kelly Homar
Kelly HomarSenior Associate Chartered Legal Executive
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Latest News

Keeping you informed

Please see below for the latest news from our Personal Injury Claims team.

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Why Switalskis?

At Switalskis, we know that it can be intimidating to make a claim for an injury, but our team makes things easy. We're renowned in Wakefield for our excellent service and focus on our clients. We take the time to understand what you want to achieve and develop a legal strategy that will support you. We take the same approach to all our legal services, founded on:

Clarity in complexity

We're committed to breaking down legal jargon into straightforward language, and offering practical strategies that can help you keep track of your claim as it moves forward. We'll always be available to answer questions or give updates on how your claim is progressing and what to expect next.

Empathy at every step

Our solicitors understand the emotional difficulties that can arise when dealing with a personal injury claim. Switalskis offers emotional support during the claims process and will make sure you have access to everything you need, beyond just high-quality legal advice.

Expertise you can trust

The solicitors at Switalskis have extensive experience and a thorough knowledge of the personal injury claims process. That means we always know what to expect, even from the most complex cases, and what we need to do to deliver the best possible result from your claim. We can also advise you on getting the right care and assistance based on your injuries, if you need us to.

Championing your rights

If you've been injured in an accident caused by someone else, you're entitled to claim compensation that covers your pain, suffering and financial losses. Switalskis will make sure your voice is heard throughout the process and help you to protect your rights when making a compensation claim. This includes protecting your job when claiming against an employer.

Find out how Switalskis can help you

If you believe you're entitled to make a personal injury claim and want to know more about the process, our experienced solicitors in Wakefield are ready to help. Whether you're claiming for your own injuries or on behalf of a family member, we offer an excellent service and can take on even the most complex and high value claims. Call us on 0800 1380 458 , or get in touch via the form on our site today to learn more.

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