FAQ

If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, here’s what to do:

• Gather evidence: Get witness details, take photos if you can, and note down what happened. Medical records or police reports are also important.
• Check if you’ve got a case: Not sure if it’s worth pursuing? Most claims companies (like us) offer a free initial chat to assess if you can make a claim.
• Choose how to claim: You can go solo, but it quickly gets complicated. A claims management company like “it happens” handles the whole process for you.
• Contact the other party’s insurers: If you’re claiming through a company, they’ll handle this. Otherwise, you need to find out who to contact (might not be the person who crashed into you).
• Negotiation and settlement: This is where things can get tricky. Insurers might try to lowball you, so it pays to have someone on your side who knows how to fight your corner.

How “it happens” can help

• No risk to you: We often work on a “no win, no fee” basis.
• Takes the hassle away: We do the paperwork, deal with the insurers, and fight for a fair deal.
• We know our stuff: We understand how insurers work and make sure they don’t pull a fast one.

Important: There are time limits for making most accident claims, so get advice quickly!

Being in a car accident is stressful enough, and the last thing you want is a measly payout. Here’s how to boost your chances of getting the compensation you deserve:

• Gather evidence early: Get witness details, photos of the scene (if safe), and medical reports. The more you have to back up your case, the stronger it’ll be.
• Don’t admit fault (even if you think you might be partly to blame): Anything you say can be used against you. Leave it to the insurers to figure out who’s liable.
• Account for ALL your losses: It’s not just about car repairs. Factor in medical costs, lost wages, even things like the inconvenience of being without your car.
• Don’t rush to accept the first offer: Insurers often start low to test the waters. Be prepared to negotiate.
• Get expert help: A claims management company like “it happens” knows all the tricks insurers might use. We’ll fight to get you every penny you’re entitled to.

Things to remember:

• Don’t underestimate the value of your claim: It’s easy to undervalue the long-term costs of an injury.
• There are time limits: Get legal advice quickly to avoid missing out.

If you’ve been injured in an accident that someone else caused, here’s what to do:

• Gather evidence: Get witness details, take photos if you can, and jot down any specifics about what happened. Medical records or police reports are also key.
• Check if you have a case: Not sure if it’s worth pursuing? Most claims companies (like us) offer a free initial chat to assess if you have grounds for making a claim.
• Choose how to claim: You can go solo, but it gets complicated quickly! A claims management company like “it happens” handles the whole thing for you.
• Contact the other party’s insurers: If you’re claiming through a company, they’ll do this. Otherwise, you need to find out who to contact (it might not be the person who caused the accident).
• Negotiation and settlement: This is where things can get tricky. Insurers might try to lowball you, so it pays to have someone on your side who knows how to play hard ball.

How “it happens” can help

• No risk to you: We often work on a “no win, no fee” basis.
• Takes the hassle away: We do the paperwork, deal with the insurers, and fight for a fair deal.
• We know our stuff: We understand the tricks insurers might use and make sure you’re not taken advantage of.

Important: There are time limits for making most accident claims, so get advice quickly!

Unfortunately, insurers have long memories! Accident claims, even if you weren’t at fault, can typically stay on your record for around 3 to 5 years. This means they can impact the quotes you get during that time.

What do insurers see?

When you get an insurance quote, they’ll ask about previous claims. They’re interested in:

• Who was at fault: If the accident was your fault, it’ll have more impact on your premiums than if someone else was to blame.
• The size of the payout: Large payouts for accidents suggest a higher risk to insurers.
• How long ago it was: The more recent the claim, the bigger the impact it’ll likely have on your quotes.

How to minimize the impact

• Shop around: Don’t just stick with your old insurer – get quotes from lots of companies.
• Build your no-claims bonus: Every claim-free year helps lower future premiums.
• Consider extra cover: Options like a protected no-claims bonus can sometimes soften the blow of a past claim.

Important Note: Always be honest about past claims when getting quotes. Not disclosing them could invalidate your insurance.

There isn’t a single answer – how long your car accident claim takes depends on how complicated things get. Here’s a rough guide:

• Straightforward cases: If everyone agrees on who’s at fault, and your injuries are clear-cut, it could be sorted within several months.
• Complex cases: If there are arguments over fault, or your injuries are serious, it might drag on for years. Court cases can lengthen the process.

What causes delays?

• Insurers squabbling: They might try to pin the blame on each other, slowing things down.
• Assessing the extent of your injuries: If you’re still recovering, the full impact might not be obvious, making it hard to agree on fair compensation.
• Going to court: Court proceedings take time, adding significantly to the length of the process.

How “it happens” can help

• Gather the right evidence early: We’ll help you secure what you need to build a strong case from the outset.
• No messing about with insurers: We know how to play hard ball with insurance companies so they don’t drag their feet.
• Fight for what you’re due: We’ll negotiate hard to ensure you get the best possible compensation, not a lowball offer.

Important: Even with minor accidents, there are time limits for making a claim, so contact us as soon as possible.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on how complicated your case gets. Here’s a general idea:

• Straightforward cases: If the fault is clear and your injuries are agreed upon, things can potentially wrap up within a few months.
• Complex cases: If there are disputes over who’s to blame, or your injuries are severe and long-term, it could take years to reach a settlement or go to court.

What causes delays?

• Disagreements over fault: Insurers might argue among themselves about who’s liable, each trying to pin the blame on the other.
• Assessing your injuries: If you’re still recovering, the full extent of the damage might be unclear, making it hard to agree on the right compensation amount.
• Going to court: Court proceedings take time, adding significantly to how long things take.

How “it happens” can help

• Gathering the right evidence early: We’ll help you secure evidence to build your case strongly from the get-go.
• Push insurers to resolve things quickly: We know how to deal with insurance companies and won’t let them drag their feet unnecessarily.
• Fighting for fair compensation: We’ll negotiate hard to ensure you don’t get lowballed.

Important: Even with minor accidents, there are time limits to start a claim. Contact us straight away for advice!

Act quickly! There are strict time limits for filing accident claims and these vary depending on the type of accident:

• Road traffic accidents: Three years from the date of the accident, or three years from discovering your injuries were linked to it.
• Accidents at work: Usually three years from when you became aware that your injury was work-related.
• Medical negligence: Three years from the incident, or three years from realising the negligence caused your injury.
• Incidents involving children: Time limits might be extended. If a child’s been injured, you usually have until their 21st birthday to pursue a claim.
• Lack of mental capacity: If the injured person isn’t able to manage their own claim due to their injuries, the time limit might not apply.

Why act fast? The sooner you contact “it happens”, the easier it is to gather evidence and build a strong case. Waiting could mean missing out on the compensation you deserve.

How “it happens” can help
We understand the complexities of claim deadlines and can:

• Advise on your specific situation: We’ll look at the facts of your case and help you understand your options.
• Take care of the paperwork: We can file everything on time to ensure your claim isn’t thrown out.
• Fight for a quick outcome: We’ll push insurers for a swift and fair resolution.

Usually, once you’ve settled a car accident claim and signed a release of liability, it’s tough to reopen it. This is true even if you later discover your injuries were worse than you thought, or the costs end up exceeding the settlement.
However, there are a few rare situations where it might be possible:

• Mistakes in the settlement: If there’s a clear error in paperwork, like the agreed compensation amount is incorrect, you might have grounds to reopen the claim.
• New evidence surfaces: If crucial information emerges after the case closed, like hidden dashcam footage clearly showing fault, it could strengthen your position to reopen the claim.
• Bad faith by the insurance company: If you believe the insurer acted unfairly (pressured you, didn’t investigate properly), there may be a path to reopening the case.

How “it happens” can help: We understand the complexities of reopening car accident claims. We’ll look at the specifics of your situation and advise you on whether there’s a realistic chance of success. If so, we’ll handle all the legal work and fight for the best possible outcome.

Important Note: It gets harder to reopen a claim the more time passes, so if you’re considering it, contact a claims management company like “it happens” as soon as possible.

Yes, you might be able to cancel your car accident claim as long as costs haven’t yet been incurred by your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer. Here’s why you might consider cancelling:

• To save your no-claims bonus: If the accident was small, and you can afford the repairs yourself, withdrawing might keep your future premiums lower.
• To claim on the other driver’s insurance: If it’s clear the other driver was at fault, you might cancel your claim to pursue theirs instead.
• If you have doubts: You can always withdraw if you’re unsure about your claim or feel pressured by the insurance companies.

How “it happens” can help

Cancelling a car accident claim can be tricky, especially if it’s already underway. We know the ins and outs of the process and can:

• Assess your situation: We’ll look at the specifics and advise whether cancellation is the best option.
• Handle the paperwork: We can take care of all the communication with insurers to make it hassle-free.
• Protect your rights: We’ll make sure you understand any potential costs and aren’t pressured into a decision.

Remember: The earlier you act, the better. Contact “it happens” straight away for your free consultation.

Yes, generally, you can withdraw a car accident claim before your insurance company or the other party’s insurer has incurred costs on your behalf. Here are some common reasons you might consider it:

• Protecting your no-claims bonus: If the accident was minor, and you can cover the repairs yourself, cancelling your claim might save you from higher premiums in the future.
• Claiming on the other driver’s insurance: If it becomes clear the other driver was completely at fault, you might opt to cancel your claim and pursue theirs.
• Concerns about your case: If you’re having doubts about the strength of your claim or feel pressured, you might decide to withdraw and get independent advice.

How “it happens” can help: We understand the implications of cancelling a car accident claim. We can assess your situation, explain your options clearly, and handle the cancellation process smoothly if that’s the best route for you.

Important: It’s crucial to act quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely you could incur costs, making it harder to cancel. Contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation.