Understanding Conditional Fee Agreements

Conditional Fee Arrangements are a relative newcomer on the British scene, though they have long been common in the United States. Since 1998 they have become widespread, allowing ordinary people a far greater access to the courts than previously, and allowing anyone to get compensation for an injury which was not their fault, where before it was significantly more difficult.

A conditional fee agreement allows a solicitor to offer what is called a “no win, no fee” arrangement when taking on new cases. In other words, the solicitor can offer the client a fee structure which means that while they will receive a success fee if they win the case, if their case should be unsuccessful then no fee will be charged. The benefit to a client is obvious; it means that a legal claim for compensation is no longer the preserve of those who can afford the services of a good lawyer, and rather than basing your decision on cost, you can pursue a claim for compensation based on the extent of the injury you may have suffered.

Solicitors make the decision on taking on such cases based on several factors. These can include their experience, either as an individual or as a firm, in dealing with similar cases. (This is always a good sign when choosing a lawyer; look for people and firms that have handled cases like yours in the past, as it will give them an invaluable advantage when claiming compensation.) Another factor which will influence a solicitor’s decision on whether or not to take on a case on a conditional fee agreement basis is the likely duration of the case. Obviously the longer a case drags on, the more expensive it is for all concerned in terms of both time and money. A solicitor will normally prefer that cases being paid for under a conditional fee agreement are less time-consuming, and this in turn will tend to hinge on the complexity of your particular claim.

The other main factor that a solicitor will take on board when deciding on whether to offer a client a conditional fee agreement is the chance of winning the case. This is a difficult judgement for any solicitor to make; it is not necessarily a comment on the seriousness of your injury if they decide that yours is not a case that is likely to be won. In order to win compensation, you will need to demonstrate that the accident was not your fault, and this is not always straightforward to prove.

If your case is successful, then your lawyer’s costs will normally be paid by the other side, and this will include a “success fee” for your solicitors. However, it’s important to understand that if you are not successful you may be required to pay part or all of the costs, not just of your lawyers, but potentially also of the other side’s legal team as well. When you are involved in a compensation claim against an employer or large company these associated legal costs may be quite high, and so normally you will be required to take out an insurance policy to cover any payouts that need to be made in this instance.

All of these details should be properly explained to you by your solicitor. If not, make sure that you ask about all associated costs, and take the time to read through a conditional fee agreement before you sign it. The advent of conditional fee agreements have made it possible for anyone to get the compensation they are due, but it is important to be aware of the risks and potential costs before signing up to any agreement.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with No win no fee accident claims

Accident Compensation Claims

The process of filing compensation claims in the UK is a lot easier since the introduction of "no win, no fee" legal firms in 1998. Without the worry of large legal expenses, people are free to fight cases that they would otherwise not be able to afford. If the outcome of the case is not in the plaintiffs favor, then the law firm will not charge for their services. Many compensation claims are filed against employers whose negligence has resulted in death or physical and mental conditions caused, or made worse, by employment. If you're over 18 years of age and have suffered an accident of this type in the past three years, then it could be your legal right to claim compensation.

If you have sustained an injury at work, or your work has made an existing injury worse, then a compensation claim could award you compensation for the accident itself and also for any financial losses that you may have incurred as a result of the injury. Compensation claims require that you can prove that you have suffered a personal injury and that your employer has failed in their duty of care. You must also prove that your injury was caused as a direct result of your employer's negligence and not by any other cause, such as an underlying medical condition. So, what kind of evidence would you be expected to have? It may be a good idea to keep a note of how your injury occurred and a diary of your symptoms and treatment. Always attend any doctor’s appointments, but be careful not to discuss your compensation claims with your doctor, as this could easily complicate your case. Keep receipts of all expenses such as prescriptions, transport to and from the hospital, and any other associated costs. It may be a good idea to collect the names and addresses of any witnesses, as these could be used by your solicitor and could speed up the case. Take photographs, sketches, scans, or any other copy of the design of any equipment involved in the injury, as these too could be important to any compensation claims.

If you believe you do have a case against an employer, you will need special legal advice. If you are a union member, then consider contacting your representative; unions generally deal with a large number of compensation claims and are, therefore, usually well prepared. They may be able to advise you on any potential case and refer you to a specific legal team. If you're not a union member, then you may wish to contact the union to see if they would consider advising you on the compensation claim, even though the injury occurred before you were a member. Some unions will also provide advice to friends and family of members, so it may be worth checking to see if this is helpful to your compensation claims.

Solicitors offering a "no win, no fee" service can be extremely useful, as they will usually only charge a small initial fee. Legal fees will be recovered from the cost of any compensation that you receive, should you win the case. In some compensation claims, the law company may even be able to recover the legal costs from your employer. If you don't win the compensation claim, then there is no fee from the law firm. Depending on the circumstances of your case, and if your employer agrees to an out of court settlement, you may not even be required to attend court - all the legal proceedings could be completed by post. If the company does agree to an out of court settlement, then you may need to take advice from your legal team, and possibly from your union, on how best to proceed. Completing an accident compensation claim against your employer is your legal right and using these "no win, no fee" services, you could get the compensation you are owed.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with Accident Claims.

Motorcycle Injury Claims

After a motorcycle accident, if you sustain an injury it can be incredibly serious. While some individuals are lucky enough to get out of a motorcycle accident with a few scrapes, bruises, and contusions, you may endure even more serious injuries. In fact, after a motorcycle accident you may be in shock: your body will be pumping adrenalin throughout your system and you may not fully realise that you have been seriously injured. Further, head injuries can result in a concussion that will leave you thinking unclear. Many unrealised injuries can result in more serious complications and sometimes death. Hence, if you do get into a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that the hospital checks you out, even if there are no visible signs of injury, and even if you feel okay at the moment. In addition, if you do become injured and it is no fault of your own, it may be time to file a motorcycle injury claim. Motorcycle injury claims are a way that people get compensation for the injuries they receive from an accident. In order to file motorcycle injury claims however, individuals will need to receive treatment from a competent doctor, as they will be able to diagnose, treat, and validate that an injury has occurred.

Motorcycles are not like cars: when you are in a car accident you are in a car that literally surrounds you and offers up some barrier to the outside. In the event of a collision, cars have crumple zones and roll bars that can keep you safer than if there are no barriers established at all. In contrast, when riding a motorcycle, there is absolutely no barrier between you and the outside. You are therefore more likely to be injured on a motorcycle than in a car.

A car offers a number of safety features that help to minimise the amount of damage one sustains during a car accident. Cars have seat belts installed that keep the driver and passengers from being bounced around freely in the vehicle if there is an accident. Seat belts also keep the passengers from being ejected from the vehicle. Meanwhile, riding on a motorcycle you have no such safety feature: this means in the event of motorcycle accidents you can be thrown from the motorcycle and seriously injured.

Today’s car manufacturers are constantly improving the safety features of their vehicles. Many vehicles have driver side and passenger side air bags that deploy in the event of an accident. While the air bags are not necessarily safe for infants and it is recommended that they ride in the back seat of the car that has air bags, such a safety feature has saved many lives. The air bag fills with air and prevents the driver and/or passenger from receiving serious injury in a crash. Other safety features such as driver and passenger airbags greatly help to reduce injuries.

Many accidents are between cars and motorcycles and the individual riding the motorcycle is the one that receives the most injuries when a collision occurs. Since motorcycles are considerably smaller than cars they are not as easily seen on the road, especially at night. Again, it is entirely possible to claim compensation for your injuries if you have had a motorcycle accident and it is not your fault. Motorcycle injury claims help people to get the money they need to pay for medical bills not covered by insurance carriers and can even help to pay the victim for their pain and suffering. People seeking to file motorcycle injury claims will eventually need to seek out a solicitor’s assistance.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with Personal Injury compensation claims.

Accident Compensation Claims

The process of filing compensation claims in the UK is a lot easier since the introduction of "no win, no fee" legal firms in 1998. Without the worry of large legal expenses, people are free to fight cases that they would otherwise not be able to afford. If the outcome of the case is not in the plaintiffs favor, then the law firm will not charge for their services. Many compensation claims are filed against employers whose negligence has resulted in death or physical and mental conditions caused, or made worse, by employment. If you're over 18 years of age and have suffered an accident of this type in the past three years, then it could be your legal right to claim compensation.

If you have sustained an injury at work, or your work has made an existing injury worse, then a compensation claim could award you compensation for the accident itself and also for any financial losses that you may have incurred as a result of the injury. Compensation claims require that you can prove that you have suffered a personal injury and that your employer has failed in their duty of care. You must also prove that your injury was caused as a direct result of your employer's negligence and not by any other cause, such as an underlying medical condition. So, what kind of evidence would you be expected to have? It may be a good idea to keep a note of how your injury occurred and a diary of your symptoms and treatment. Always attend any doctor’s appointments, but be careful not to discuss your compensation claims with your doctor, as this could easily complicate your case. Keep receipts of all expenses such as prescriptions, transport to and from the hospital, and any other associated costs. It may be a good idea to collect the names and addresses of any witnesses, as these could be used by your solicitor and could speed up the case. Take photographs, sketches, scans, or any other copy of the design of any equipment involved in the injury, as these too could be important to any compensation claims.

If you believe you do have a case against an employer, you will need special legal advice. If you are a union member, then consider contacting your representative; unions generally deal with a large number of compensation claims and are, therefore, usually well prepared. They may be able to advise you on any potential case and refer you to a specific legal team. If you're not a union member, then you may wish to contact the union to see if they would consider advising you on the compensation claim, even though the injury occurred before you were a member. Some unions will also provide advice to friends and family of members, so it may be worth checking to see if this is helpful to your compensation claims.

Solicitors offering a "no win, no fee" service can be extremely useful, as they will usually only charge a small initial fee. Legal fees will be recovered from the cost of any compensation that you receive, should you win the case. In some compensation claims, the law company may even be able to recover the legal costs from your employer. If you don't win the compensation claim, then there is no fee from the law firm. Depending on the circumstances of your case, and if your employer agrees to an out of court settlement, you may not even be required to attend court - all the legal proceedings could be completed by post. If the company does agree to an out of court settlement, then you may need to take advice from your legal team, and possibly from your union, on how best to proceed. Completing an accident compensation claim against your employer is your legal right and using these "no win, no fee" services, you could get the compensation you are owed.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with Accident Claims.

Advantages of a No Win No Fee Claim

Let’s suppose something happens to you. Maybe it’s a broken bone, maybe it’s a bad cut, and maybe it’s something worse. Now, let’s suppose that that something was not your fault. Perhaps it was caused by defective machinery at the company where you work, or a mechanical defect in some product you recently bought, or was gained as the result of a crash or accident at the hands of a drunk driver.

If this has happened to you, perhaps its time to think about litigation: laziness and negligence should not go unpunished – you may be the first victim in a particular case, but unless something changes, you probably won’t be the last. By litigating for compensation, you help keep companies accountable as well as receive some mitigation for the negative circumstances that have been thrust so unwillingly upon your shoulders.

What about the cost, though? Especially if you come from a working class back ground – where industrial accidents are most likely to happen – legal fees can be difficult if not impossible to pay. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about it. There exists a type of personal injury lawsuit called a no win no fee claim. This means that if you don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay the fee.

Think of the peace of mind this will give you. You can conduct the lawsuit with absolutely no fear of losing anything but a little time and effort. You have nothing to lose and a lot of money to gain. Because solicitors will only take you on if they think they can win your case, you’re also at an advantage right from the beginning, as only those lawyers most confident in their own ability to work for you will actually choose to work for you. If they, experienced in the legal process, think you can win, there’s probably a good chance you will – and if you don’t, you don’t lose anything.

Another advantage of no win no fee claims is that they are usually settled out of court. Most of your correspondence will take place by standard parcel post or by email and phone – only very rarely would you ever be called upon to actually appear in court. This removes much of the hassle problem most people expect when considering litigation as well, making the process as easy as it is cheap.

How much money exactly can you stand to gain from this? Is it really worth the time and effort it takes to find a good lawyer who’s willing to work your case? The answer to that is very easy – just look at some of the average settlement fees, and you’ll see just how substantial financial gain can be.

Start with something simple, like a forearm fracture. Very painful, very annoying, but not permanent and not at all life threatening. One would think that this relatively minor injury could garner little or no financial base in the way of litigation fees. One would be wrong. A simple forearm fracture can gain anywhere between three thousand, eight hundred pounds and over eleven thousand pounds. Not bad for no risk and a little bit of time in finding someone to represent you.

Rates are similar for other injuries as well – you can expect two to three thousand for the loss of part of your little finger, eight to eleven thousand pounds for severe injury to the big toe, and even over a thousand for something as simple as a broken nose. If you’re dental work is damaged, you’ll need a lot of money to repair it – get that money from the one who caused the damage, with many cases often resulting in settlements of five or six thousand pounds.

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Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with No Win No Fee Accident Claims.

Making an Accident Claim

If you have been hurt at work, then you deserve a financial settlement from your employer. Many people believe that it is expensive and time consuming to pursue an accident claim when the exact opposite is true—pursuing a claim for an accident you had a work can be simple and cost free.

In 1998, the Conditional Fee Agreement came into effect which means that solicitors are able to take on cases on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis, which means that if you don’t win your settlement, you do not have to pay the solicitor. If you do win your accident claim against your employer, then the other party to the lawsuit would pay your legal fees. For claimants, this is a win-win situation. Due to the Conditional Fee Agreement, people no longer need to be discouraged from filing a claim for fear of the legal fees that are associated with claiming for a work place injury. The law in Scotland differs from that of England and Wales, however the no-win no-fee concept is also practiced there to some extent.

Injuries at work occur regularly and if you have been injured at work, regardless of the cause, you deserve to be compensated. You need not worry about the cost to your employer; they most likely have insurance in place to cover workplace injury claims.

If you are going to make a claim against your employer for a workplace injury on a no-win, no-fee basis in the UK, you have to agree, as well as your solicitor, to the terms of the Conditional Fee Agreement. The majority of solicitors use a standard document that is produced by the Law Society of England and Wales which confirms that if the case is lost, the solicitor won’t charge the claimant. There may be bills associated with the claim, such as medical fees and witness charges but there is insurance available to cover these expenses and this should also be discussed with your solicitor. You will be required to cooperate with your solicitor and provide full disclosure of your injury and accident that is related to your work place injury claim to them.

When you go to court with your claim and it proceeds to a settlement in your favour, the other party’s insurer will pay your solicitor’s fees. If during the course of the claim you have paid any fees, such as medical fees or witness fees, you will be reimbursed for them in full. Most solicitors will ensure that you get your full compensation without any percentage being deducted for fees or costs. If your solicitor discloses that you may be responsible for some of the fees or that a percentage of your compensation will be deducted upon settlement, consider finding another solicitor to discuss your options before committing to any one solicitor.

Under the Conditional Fee Agreement, if your work place injury claim does not succeed, you do not have to pay any legal costs to your solicitor—these costs are paid by insurance. There is a possibility of fees that you will incur, such as witness fees, and in a worst-case scenario, some defense costs if you lose your case at trial—however, your solicitor can help you to insure yourself against these fees before you begin your claim.

Your employer will likely lose the case and you will be paid, especially if fault can be found in the company for your injury, such as negligence or improper safety equipment. Regardless of the reasons for your injury, whether by accident or direct cause, you need not worry about legal fees any more with the Conditional Fee Agreement.


Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with Accident Claims.

Example of Compensation Calculations

There are hundreds of thousands of insurance claims and employee worker’s compensation claims processed each year in the UK. For some types of claims, such as damage to property claims, there are simple ways to determine the amount of compensation that the claimant should receive. In other cases, such as pain and suffering claims and claims where the injured party may have partially at fault, it can be more difficult to determine precisely how much compensation the claimant is entitled to.

Claims for which a specific monetary figure for reimbursement can easily be established generally require very little in the way of compensation calculations. One example of this is claims where there is damage to actual physical property, in which case the compensation is equal to the value of the item damaged or destroyed. In most cases, the claimant is awarded replacement value rather than actual value, meaning that if a three year old computer was destroyed, the claimant will receive monetary reimbursement which is enough to allow for the purchase of a new computer of a similar model, rather than the actual value of the destroyed computer. Awarding replacement value of the damaged item is a more fair method of compensation than actual value compensation, as it allows the claimant to essentially recover use of the damaged or destroyed items. In some instances, common injuries can be assigned a fairly standard compensation value. For example, hernia injuries are typically paid from £2,000 to £14,000, and whiplash injuries from £750 to £2,550. Another example of a more concrete loss for which compensation is easy to calculate is wage losses, although this category can get a little more complicated than straight property loss as possible future benefits, bonuses, and raises need to be calculated as well. In almost all instances, and particularly where past as opposed to future losses are concerned, judges will add interest to the monetary compensation that is awarded.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of claims which are lodged in the UK feature damages which are extremely difficult to put a concrete figure on. This may be because the claim is for something which is hard to define or which does not have a concrete value, such as ‘pain and suffering’. It may also be difficult to determine the amount of compensation awarded for a particular claim because there are so many different factors involved in each individual case. There are some calculators on the internet which attempt to put a specific figure on a claim, but there are so many variables that it can be hard to get much more than a ballpark estimate from these calculators. Even when there are standard amounts and ranges of compensation for common injuries, the amounts can vary widely depending upon circumstances. For example, the standard compensation range for knee injuries ranges from £8,150 to £56,000, and for head or brain injuries the compensation can range from £1,300 to £165,500. Much of the time, compensation calculations are made independently by the judge who is hearing the claim. If the claim is settled out of court, then the compensation calculations are generally carried out and then negotiated and agreed upon by the lawyers from both sides of the process. In either instance, the judge or lawyers determine compensation based on an estimate of the claimant’s costs, including medical bills, lost wages, lifestyle changes, and any other costs incurred. If it is determined, or the claimant admits, that the injured party was partially responsible for the damage or injury, their responsibility is considered as a percentage and the compensation awarded is reduced by that amount. To this number is added a reasonable amount for pain and suffering or other emotional distress. Both lawyers and judges arrive at these amounts based on prior experience and their knowledge of the details of the case, so if at all possible claimants should make certain that their representation is experienced in the specific type of claim being pursued. In this way, the claimant can ensure that he or she is getting the fairest possible compensation for the injury that he or she has suffered.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with compensation claims.

Animal Attack Claims

Being attacked by an animal can be painful, frightening and traumatic, with significant injuries sometimes resulting. The attack may cause physical scarring that in some cases lasts for life. Emotional scarring can also be a consequence of animal attacks. A victim may also suffer psychological problems as a result of an attack, such as developing a fear of animals or being afraid to go out alone. Animal attack claims made on a ‘no win no fee’ basis offer victims the opportunity to seek compensation for such injuries without incurring legal costs.

Animal attack claims show that dogs account for many animal attacks. In recent years in the UK, there has been a lot of publicity about attacks on people by Rottweiler and Pit Bull dogs. Other breeds, such as German Shepherds, have also been known to be equally ferocious. Other domesticated animals, such as ferrets, birds and cats can also bite or injure people. As well as suffering injuries and possible psychological damage, the person who has been attacked will probably need medical attention that may become long-term.

If you or any of your children have been attacked by an animal you may be entitled to compensation. In seeking advice from a solicitor, you don’t have to worry about legal fees. Solicitors are able to offer ‘no win no fee’ accident claims to their clients. Whether your case succeeds or not, you will not incur any legal costs. If you decide to proceed with a claim for compensation, it may not even be necessary for you to attend court, as animal attack claims can often be dealt with through the post.

‘No win no fee’ claims make it possible for anyone eligible to make animal attack claims for compensation to do so, free of the worry of large legal costs at the end. In addition to the fact that you will no have to pay any legal costs, you will start your case knowing that your compensation will be yours in full, with no deductions for your solicitor’s costs. In the event of a straightforward settlement in your favour, the insurer for the other party will pay your legal fees.

If your claim does not succeed, you will still not have to pay legal costs. Again, these will be covered by insurance. Even if the worst outcome occurs, with the case being lost at trial, you should have insurance to cover yourself against the possibility of having to pay the other party’s costs. This type of insurance is something that people considering making animal attack claims for compensation should discuss with their solicitors before proceeding.

Finding a solicitor to help with animal attack claims is not difficult. Many have internet sites through which you can obtain up-to-date information. By filling in an online form, or through a phone call you can provide details of the attack and injuries for a free assessment of your case. If the solicitor believes you are eligible for compensation and advises you to proceed with your claim, both you and your solicitor will be required to agree to the terms of the Conditional Fee Agreement, so that the claim will be made on the ‘no win no fee’ basis. For you, the main requirements of the agreement are simply that you co-operate with your solicitor and provide clear instructions in relation to your claim. The agreement will also confirm that, if the case is lost, the solicitor will not charge you for any legal costs. You should also discuss with your solicitor the possibility of disbursements such as medical and witness fees, and arrange insurance to cover them if you wish to do so.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with Animal Attack compensation claims.

Getting What Is Due To You

A personal injury can be extremely stressful and disruptive. In serious cases, it can be a life-changing event – forcing us to abandon plans that we may have had or making certain careers difficult or impossible to pursue and restricting our life choices. Even in cases where the injury involved is not life threatening or debilitating, it can still cause significant trauma and disruption, as well as great stress to yourself and family.

Big or small, a personal injury may impact on your life in all sorts of ways. Most obviously, a major accident can disrupt your work life, causing you to miss weeks or months while recovering from your injuries. Even after returning to work you may find yourself having to make arrangements for hospital and doctors’ appointments. In extreme cases, you may find that your injuries make it difficult to perform certain types of jobs, and require you to be redeployed or even seek alternative employment.

Personal injury can also disrupt your private life, making it harder to join in with social or sporting activities that you used to enjoy and breaking in to your old routines. Even quite a minor personal injury could mean no more 5-a-side football, and make a night out with your friends a very different proposition.

Whatever the nature of your injury, and the circumstances in which it came about, it is important to understand one thing; you are not alone. Many thousands of people in the same situation have found that they are entitled to compensation for their personal injury, and while this doesn’t make dealing with the aftermath of an accident easy, it is only right that you should be able to get what is due to you.

More and more UK citizens are making claims for compensation, thanks in part to changes in the law that now make it easier for normal people to pursue claims through the courts. If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you have the right under civil law to seek, and be awarded, money to compensate you for your personal injury. These changes in the law have seen a wide variety of firms emerging which take on clients who have suffered a personal injury, and thanks to the “no win, no fee” system, justice is available to everyone, not just those who can afford lengthy court procedures.

When you hire a lawyer on a “No win, no fee” basis, it means exactly what it says. Since 1998, clients have been able to take advantage of what is called a “Conditional Free Arrangement”, which enables you to engage the services of a lawyer without paying any upfront fee. If you win the case then your solicitors’ fees will probably be paid by the other side anyway. Most lawyers will also arrange a so-called “success fee” which will be payable in the event of a win. Again, this will normally be paid by the losing side. You may be asked to purchase insurance in case you lose the case, as you may be liable for the other side’s legal costs in this event.

It’s important to choose the right lawyer so as to get the best available deal for yourself. Different firms do operate under different rules and depending on how good your case is you may be able to get very favourable terms from your solicitors. There is a wide range of law firms offering, “no win no fee” arrangements for personal injury cases – so shop around before committing yourself. And remember; if you have suffered a personal injury in an accident through no fault of your own, it is your right to get compensation.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with Personal Injury accident claims.

Motorcycle Accidents – Typical Causes

When you’re out and driving, there’s nothing worse than getting in an accident. Whether it’s just a fender bender or a windshield-cracking, door-shredding crash, accidents are horrible things to witness and worse to experience. If you’re on a motorcycle, accidents become even worse. More than three thousand motorcycle accidents resulted in death last year in the United States alone, and the numbers are just as terrifying in the United Kingdom. With nothing between you and the other vehicle to absorb the impact, motorcycle accidents can be much more injurious than those sustained in a normal car or truck.

Motorcycle accidents are sometimes caused by poor maintenance—because a motorcycle only has two wheels, it is inherently more unstable than cars or trucks, and requires more careful maintenance to ensure safety out on the road. A slightly misaligned tire can result in a fatal crash, as can an engine or brake failure, so always make sure your motorcycle is in top shape.

Also, check the tires themselves. If you leave your tires too long without getting them replaced, the treads can wear away. These bald tires can lead to fatal motorcycle accidents, especially in snowy conditions or on wet roads where bald tires are more likely to hydroplane. Have your mechanic check your tires and make sure they’re still good to ride on.

Bad roads can lead to fatal motorcycle accidents as well. The government can only repair so many roads at a time, and some roads go for years without ever seeing the attention of a road crew. These roads can be treacherous enough to normal cars and trucks, with loose gravel and big potholes that can swallow a tire whole. If you’re on a motorcycle, that pothole can flip your motorcycle over and throw you onto the street, so you have to be a lot more careful. On bad roads, slow down and keep your eyes open, and avoid otherwise very painful motorcycle accidents.

There are plenty of other conditions which may lead to bad motorcycle accidents. Watch out for debris on the road – a nail in the tire at sixty miles and hour could lead to a potentially fatal blow-out. Also, sometimes things get spilled on the road – say a truck has an oil leak and is spilling oil onto the road as it drives. Oil isn’t the most friction conducive material it’s possible to put on a road, and driving over a patch could lead to a slide out and loss of control over your motorcycle. Watch for dark patches on the road that indicate spilled oil.

Then there’s ice. With as much rain as Britain gets, ice is fairly common whenever it gets cold, and when it’s present you have to be especially careful. In a car, a spinout could lead to ending up in a ditch. In a motorcycle, loss of control usually leads to a motorcycle accident – at the best, bruises or broken bones, at the worst, death. The human body isn’t made to slam into asphalt at sixty miles an hour, and won’t react well if it does. If there is ice on the road, drive slowly and very carefully, and you’ll come through all right.

Alcohol and drugs, of course, are an obvious problem. They impair judgment and turn otherwise good drivers into dangerous ones – the only good part of driving a motorcycle drunk is that when you crash you probably won’t take anyone else with you. The bad news is, you’ll still be just as dead. Sleep deprivation is nearly as bad, so make sure you’re always well rested before driving. Remember, because of the small size and low profile of motorcycles, drivers of cars will have a harder time seeing you. The responsibility of safety is up to you, so take it seriously.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with motorcycle accident claims.

Personal Injury Law

Personal injury law is an area of law that aims to protect citizens against the negligence of others. Covering a wide range of claim subjects—from whiplash to medical negligence, personal injury law guides people through the process of claiming financial compensation for injuries received through the actions or neglect of other people. Once an expensive exercise for those wishing to pursue such claims, personal injury law in the UK now operates on a ‘no win no fee’ basis, making it accessible to anyone eligible to claim compensation for personal injury.

Until the late 1990s, anyone who wanted to make a claim relating to personal injury law in the UK either had to pay expensive legal fees or seek help through the means-tested Legal Aid (now Public Funding) system. The funding of Legal Aid, in turn, proved expensive for the government. With the advent of the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) in 1998 the law changed, allowing for claims on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. Under personal injury law in England and Wales, anyone eligible to claim compensation need no longer be deterred by the fear of legal fees associated with the claim. Scotland’s law differs although the ‘no win no fee’ concept is also practised there to some extent.

In order for you to make a personal injury law claim for damages on a ‘no win no fee’ basis in the UK, both you and your solicitor will be required to agree to the terms of the CFA. Most solicitors use a standard document produced by the Law Society of England and Wales which confirms that, if the case is lost, the solicitor will not charge the claimant with any costs. There may be bills such as witness charges and medical fees, but insurance cover is available for this and should be discussed with your solicitor. As the claimant, you will be required by the agreement to co-operate with your solicitor and to provide clear instructions in relation to your personal injury law claim.

Taking the best case scenario first, if your claim proceeds to a straightforward settlement in your favour, the other party’s insurer will pay your legal fees. If you have paid any fees during the case, such as witness fees, these will be reimbursed. Most personal injury law firms will ensure that you receive your compensation in full, without a percentage being deducted for fees. If you are told some of the compensation you receive will be deducted, you may like to consider discussing options with other personal injury law firms before making a commitment.

If your claim does not succeed, you still do not have to pay legal costs. Personal injury law ensures that these costs are met by insurance. There may be disbursements such as witness fees and, in the worst case scenario, defence costs if your case is lost at trial, but your solicitor can help you to insure yourself against such possibilities before your claim gets under way.

With the no win no fee agreement, therefore, personal injury law ensures that people who have suffered injury through no fault of their own are able to seek financial compensation without fear of legal costs. As long as the accident was not your fault you are eligible to claim compensation and should contact a personal injury law firm. Even if you are not sure about the issue of fault it is worth consulting a solicitor or filling in an online claim form for a free assessment of your case. Before making a commitment to pursuing your claim, remember to check that the no win no fee agreement will apply, that you will receive your full 100 percent compensation if you win and that in the event of a loss incurring payment of fees or costs, you will be covered by insurance.

Accident claims for the UK market contact Accident Consult for your no obligation consultation. They are experts in dealing with Personal Injury compensation claims.