Why it is important to gather evidence and instruct your solicitor sooner rather than later.

If you suffer an injury as a result of an accident, the first thing that springs to mind is clearly not, “Do I have all the correct evidence to support a claim for personal injury?” You are naturally more concerned with your health, and ensuring you receive the necessary treatment to recover from your injuries as quickly as possible.

If you later decide to pursue a claim, although you have three years from the date of your accident to settle your claim or start Court Proceedings, here is why it is best to ensure you have all the necessary evidence and instruct your solicitor as soon as possible after it happens.

Firstly your recollection of the accident circumstances is much more accurate and factual in the following months after your accident, but may not be so detailed if you were to try and recall the accident details up to two years after. So it is clearly best to make sure details are recorded where you are able to refer back to them, and key points which may be vital to the claim are not forgotten.

If you tripped over due to a defect in a carriageway or pavement such as a pothole, it is always best to obtain photographs with measurements, as close to your accident date as possible as the defect may well be repaired soon afterwards. This is the same for any defect on the road, pavement or even in a supermarket. Any evidence you can gather of the defect being present, makes your claim stronger.

In regards to CCTV footage, most people assume that CCTV is kept for a long period of time. However, this is incorrect as most companies will write over CCTV sooner than people think. Once they do so, this evidence is lost, so it should be obtained by you or your solicitor as quickly as possible after your accident.

If you let the passage of time take its course, it could be that businesses close down, witnesses are untraceable, or a defective product is thrown away which is why we would always advise you to contact a solicitor as soon as possible after an accident to get the ball rolling.

If you have suffered an accident and would like some advice about whether you can make a claim, call our expert Solicitors on 0114 218 4000 or email info@tayloremmet.co.uk.

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