Deciding on a solicitor to manage your accident claim is both an important and complicated decision. If you don’t take the time to find the right solicitor then you risk having your accident claim rejected, or your compensation significantly reduced. The more complex your accident claim, the better and more experienced your solicitor should be.

Don’t be tempted to use a claims management company because they rarely provide the best legal advice. Consider why a solicitor would be paying claims management companies to buy cases like yours. Do you really want a solicitor who buys clients to handle your claim?

Instead choose a solicitor with a specialism in personal injury. There is no reason why you shouldn’t research law firms on their websites or by making direct contact with them. You should certainly ensure that they are members of one or more personal injury professional bodies, such as APIL, MASS to the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority Personal Injury Accredited Scheme.

If you have found a firm that you think you can trust with your accident claim, check that they will see you for an initial consultation free of charge. During the consultation, they will want to know all the details of your injury and the accident that caused it so that they can establish whether you have a case for an accident claim. However, this is also your opportunity to check out the solicitor’s credentials. Ask about how many other accident claims they have dealt with over the past year and how they were settled.

After the initial consultation, your solicitor should give you a written copy of a lot of clear information for you to take away to think about. You should have a clear understanding of the potential value of your claim, the likelihood of it being successful, the risks and costs associated with it and the probable length of time a claim could take. If your solicitor is unable to give you this basic information is not worthy of handling your case.