Road Traffic Accidents

Accidents on the road will happen. When they do we know what is required.

The hire of alternative transport, speedy provision of good quality medical evidence to support your claim, a sympathetic caring approach, regular reports, a streamlined computerized system and a good result.
Carter Hodge is a long established firm of Solicitors with extensive experience in claiming compensation for clients involved in road traffic accidents. We pride ourselves on a thorough knowledge of the relevant procedures combined with a high level of expertise and negotiating skills. We are approachable and seek to work together with our clients to achieve the best result possible. We are caring but tough when we need to be. We achieve results and we have satisfied clients.

We assist in recovering compensation for a wide range of losses including :-

• Personal injury
• Fatal injuries
• Damage to your vehicle
• Car hire whilst your vehicle is being repaired
• Insurance excess
• Loss of earnings
• Cost of private medical treatment including physiotherapy
• Out of pocket expenses including travel costs
• Care and rehabilitation costs where injury is serious

Questions and Answers

Question: I have had an accident and my car is off the road.
Answer: We can arrange an immediate replacement hire car.

Question: Will I have to pay?
Answer: The invoice for the hire will be sent to us when the vehicle is returned by you and the costs included in your claim. You will not be entitled to claim for hire costs from the date that you receive an offer on your own vehicle or from the date that you were made aware of the fact that your vehicle was beyond economic repair.

Question: I was hurt in the accident, can I claim compensation?
Answer: Compensation can be recovered for physical and psychological injury caused by the accident.

Question: How much will I get?
Answer: This depends on the injury and length of recovery and is generally assessed by our obtaining medical evidence on your behalf and submitting to the responsible parties insurers.

Question: What else can I claim for?
Answer: Any expense or loss suffered as a direct result of the accident. This may include

• Towage and storage charges for your vehicle after the accident
• Damage to your vehicle
• Car hire whilst your vehicle is being repaired
• Insurance excess
• Loss of earnings
• Cost of private medical treatment including physiotherapy
• Out of pocket expenses including travel costs
• Miscellaneous travel expenses

Question: What if the other driver is not insured or fails to stop?
Answer: It is still possible to claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau.

Question: Will I need to go to Court?
Answer: We will try to negotiate a favourable settlement on your behalf without having to issue court proceedings. If responsibility for your accident is disputed or suitable terms for settlement are not put forward by the responsible parties insurers we will advise you as to whether, in our opinion, court proceedings should be commenced.

Question: What if I was partly to blame?
Answer: Even if you were partly responsible for the accident it may be possible to claim compensation subject to a reduction of the value of the full claim by whatever percentage you are held to be at blame.

Question: How long do I have to bring my claim?
Answer: Where you have suffered personal injury you have only three years in which to issue a claim through the court or negotiate a settlement with the insurers for the party responsible. It is likely to be impossible to pursue your claim if court proceedings have not been issued within three years of the date of accident.