If you wish to give yourself the best chance at a successful personal injury claim after a trip, fall, traffic accident or pedestrian accident, then there are steps you ought to take immediately following the incident.

Whether you have been injured from a fall, an accident at work, a faulty appliance, or a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim compensation. Often injuries are preventable and should have been addressed before the accident happened. Choosing a solicitor that has the skill and experience to act on your behalf is one of the most important steps. 

Here are the other steps you can take to maximise your chances of a successful personal injury claim.

Had an Accident? Take These Steps to Protect Your Interests

You should start this sequence of events immediately following your accident or injury. The sooner you can start the process, the better the evidence you can gather.

1 – Ensure Your Own Safety

Your primary responsibility is to make yourself safe, then make any dependants safe. In the case of a pedestrian accident or road traffic accident this includes not rushing back into danger to help others. 

Call 999 and get medical assistance. You can only start to help others when you are safe yourself. 

2 – Seek Medical Treatment

If you were injured, concentrate on your recovery and becoming well again. Take the initial time to focus on what your own doctors advise you to do. If you do not require a hospital visit, speak to your GP for advice about your recovery.

3 – Report the Accident

Reporting the accident to the relevant authority is an important step in the process. If the accident happened at work, report it to your employer. If the accident happened in a road traffic collision, report it to the police. 

4 – Speak to Witnesses

As soon as it is safe to do so, try to speak to anyone who witnessed your accident. Taking note of their contact details means you can later pass these details on to your personal injury solicitor. They will contact them for a statement, helping to form an accurate picture of how your accident went down. 

All this acts as evidence for when your lawyer is dealing with the insurance companies responsible for your potential pay-out. 

5 – Take Pictures

Creating a timeline of events is far easier if the insurer and your attorney have a visual aid which allows them to picture the event. Look for dash cam or CCTV footage. Take pictures of tyre marks on the road or damaged equipment caused by your accident. 

6 – Seek Legal Advice

Before starting the claims process, you should research the best local firms in Belfast. You should look for a firm that specialises in Injury and Insurance claims. LAcey solicitors in Belfast have the skill and experience to act on your behalf.They will give you unprecedented guidance towards seeking compensation for your medical expenses, loss of income, and any future loss of earnings. They are also skilled in the complex laws regarding psychiatric injuries and medical negligence suits. 

Lacey solicitors could be the legal representatives you need to make a successful personal injury claim in Belfast or Dublin. We are known for our accessibility and straightforward approach. We avoid complicated legal terms and, with solicitors specialising in a wide range of claims, contact us today to discuss your options.

Expert Legal Advice is Irreplaceable

One thing is certain: after an accident there is no substitute for expert legal advice. A personal injury lawyer will work with you to achieve the maximum possible compensation that you can claim… no matter how many of the steps above you manage to work through.

If you have been the victim of slipping on a wet floor, tripping on a hazardous object, or falling in a public place, then this could lead to major changes in your life… A legal professional could help you claim the compensation you deserve.

When slips, trips, or falls happen in Northern Ireland, and it was someone else’s fault, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. A personal injury solicitor will help you to make a claim, giving you the best chance at receiving optimal compensation. Often, your actions could prevent the same accident from happening to someone else.

Whether caused by hazards like uneven pavements, poor lighting, or wet surfaces, falling accidents happen all the time. Here at Lacey Solicitors we are often asked for guidance on how to claim for a slip, trip, or fall injury that was someone else’s fault.

Slips, Trips, and Falls in Belfast

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland notes slips and trips as the most commonly reported accident within the workplace. Altogether, this single branch of personal injuries in Belfast accounts for a full third of all major injuries at work. In 2023, as many as 10,000 Belfast workers suffered serious injuries caused by tripping and falling. Over 95% of those reported broken bones as a result.

What Injuries Can Slips, Trips, and Falls Cause?

Whether it is slipping on a spilled drink, tripping over a broken kerb or falling over an unmarked manhole, the result can be a variety of injuries and serious harm. In the past 12 months, our Belfast office has dealt with injuries involving:

•       Broken bones
•       Head injuries or significant brain trauma
•       Muscular injuries such as strains or sprains
•       Cuts, bruises and other lacerations

Last year, our personal injury solicitors dealt with a case in Belfast involving serious permanent facial disability and secured for him compensation for the pain and suffering, as well as reimbursement of his medical bills and lost income. 

When Should You Make a Claim for your Slip, Trip, or Fall Claim in NI?

It is always best to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your claim as soon as possible after a slip, trip, or fall. There is a statute of limitations on when you can file a claim for compensation in Northern Ireland. There is a legal time limit during which you are allowed to make a claim. 

What is the Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Cases in NI?

The statute of limitations upon personal injury claims in Northern Ireland is 3 years. This means that you will need to file your claim for compensation after a trip, slip, or fall in Northern Ireland within three years of the date of your accident. Remember, for childhood personal injury claims you must file within 3 years of turning 18. Time limits can be extended in exceptional circumstances but it is always best to speak to a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible. 

Professional Personal Injury Experts Will Enhance Your Case

To give yourself the best chance of receiving the maximum possible compensation you could be owed, legal representation is a must-have. Lacey Solicitors have a proven track record in providing expert legal guidance.. With our specialist knowledge of personal injury law there is no one to better represent you within the greater Northern Ireland area.

Contact our legal team today to start your claim for compensation after a slip, trip, or fall, in Belfast.