HAD AN ACCIDENT?
We have all seen the adverts…."If you have had an accident in the last 3 years, and it wasn't your fault, you may be entitled to compensation" However, in order to receive the compensation that you may be entitled to, you are advised to see a Solicitor. How do you pay for the work that a Solicitor will carry out for you?
At one time, some people would have been entitled to legal aid. However, for the majority of claims involving an accident, legal aid no longer exists. Few can afford to pay privately, so what is the alternative?
Most Solicitors offer "No Win, No Fee" now and their adverts are everywhere. The way in which "No Win No Fee" works is that, if your Solicitor thinks that you have a good claim, you and they will sign a Conditional Fee Agreement. This is an agreement, which sets out their terms of payment and, as the advert says, protects you from having to pay any costs if you lose your case. Therefore, you do not end up with a Solicitor's bill to pay.
However, not all Solicitors offer the same arrangement. Some Solicitors take out insurance to cover costs, should you lose your case. Some insurance premiums are high. Whilst the law says that if you win the other side in the case should pay the premiums, they only have to pay what is reasonable. This could lead to a shortfall, which would have to be paid out of any compensation. Some also require you to sign a Credit Agreement to fund any monies, which the Solicitor has to pay out, such as for medical records, or a report. The interest charged on that will, again, come out of your compensation.
Other Solicitors do not have any of this and, therefore, do not make any standard deductions from your compensation. In the ordinary course of events, therefore, you should receive the whole amount.
Whoever you instruct, make sure that it is a Solicitor with good experience in personal injury law. And, remember a Solicitor will not stop you in the street, or knock on your door, to ask if you have had an accident. Never give your case, which is, after all, important to you, and requires specialist help, to one of these people.
Your case is too important to entrust to just anyone.
To speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor please contact Maxwell Hodge by clicking here .
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