Road Traffic Accident Solicitors in Sussex
When you’re involved in a road accident the aftermath can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve suffered injuries or damage to your vehicle. At George Ide LLP, our experienced car accident solicitors are here to guide you through the claims process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
With over 50 years of experience handling road traffic accident (RTA) claims, we pride ourselves on offering personalised support to each client. Our road accident solicitors are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for you, whether through negotiation or court proceedings. What’s more, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis where appropriate, so there’s no financial risk involved in seeking legal representation.
What Types Of Car Accidents Can You Claim For?
At George Ide LLP, we handle a wide range of car accident claims, from minor collisions to serious accidents resulting in life-changing injuries. We deal with a significant number of substantial personal injury claims each year, securing compensation settlements worth millions of pounds for our road traffic accident clients.
No matter the type of accident, our expert road traffic accident solicitors will work hard to secure the compensation you are entitled to.
Types of accidents we frequently deal with include:
- Rear-end shunts: Common in slow-moving traffic, these can cause significant damage to vehicles and injuries such as whiplash.
- Hit-and-run incidents: Even if the other driver leaves the scene, you may still be able to claim compensation.
- Accidents caused by poor road conditions: Potholes, road defects, and lack of signage can lead to serious accidents.
- Uninsured drivers: You may still be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
- Accidents abroad: If you’ve been injured while driving overseas, we may still be able to help you navigate international claims processes.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in a wide variety of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. If you’ve been injured in an accident, George Ide LLP will work to ensure that your compensation reflects the full extent of your suffering.
Common injuries we see include:
- Whiplash
- Head and brain injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Psychological trauma and mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amputations and permanent disabilities
- Fatal injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
We also specialise in acting for vulnerable road accident victims including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists – and we only work for claimants, so we are always focused on your personal circumstances and individual needs.
Contact Our Friendly Legal Experts Today
For general enquiries or to discuss more specific needs in personal or commercial law please get in touch with a friendly member of our team today.
How to Make a Car Accident Claim
The process of making a road accident claim may seem daunting but with George Ide LLP, you’ll have expert guidance at every step. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Immediate Actions at the Scene
After a road accident, ensure your safety and that of others. Call the emergency services if necessary and gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos of the accident scene, damage to vehicles, and any visible injuries. Note down the contact details of the witnesses and the other driver(s) involved.
Step 2: Reporting to the Police and Insurers
It’s important to report the incident to the police if the accident is serious or if the other driver is uninsured or refuses to share details.
Step 3: Consult a Car Accident Solicitor
Contact us for a free consultation and we will discuss the details and validity of your car accident compensation claim. If you proceed, we’ll begin gathering evidence and building your case.
Step 4: Medical Assessment and Gathering Evidence
We’ll arrange for a medical assessment to document any injuries and provide the necessary reports to support your claim. We will also work with you to collect additional evidence, such as witness statements, accident reports, and expert testimony.
In appropriate cases, we can organise and assist with any rehabilitation you may need such as scans and physiotherapy, and help with treatment for psychological symptoms.
Step 5: Negotiation and Settlement
In most cases, we’ll negotiate a settlement of the claim with the other party’s insurers. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, with your agreement we’ll take the case to court to fight for your deserved car injury compensation.
Start Your Car Accident Compensation Claim Today
With decades of experience and a proven track record of success, George Ide LLP is the trusted choice for all vehicle accident claims. We offer no win, no fee agreements, ensuring that there’s no financial risk to you, and we are dedicated to securing the best possible outcome for our clients.
Get in touch with our expert car accident solicitors today for a free consultation.
FAQs About Car Accident Claims
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Can I make an accident claim if I was at fault?
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Will I have to go to court after making a claim?
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Can I make a claim if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt?
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Can I claim for a car accident abroad?
Client Testimonials
Dear Mr Lewis. First of all I would like to say a huge thank you to you and your team about the hard work, time and money which you spent to deal with my claim. I agree with you that the settlement is reasonable enough and I know that you’ve did your best to get it.
Plamen Krastev
Paul Lewis
On a personal note : Thanks for everything you have done, some may say you are just doing your job but the support you offered both in the structure you set up to get me fit again, as well as the emotional counsel you gave got me through one of the most difficult and frightening situations I had dealt with to date. I will certainly be highly recommending you to anyone else that needs such a service. You are a great asset to the firm and hope they know that!
Simon Horn
Paul Lewis
Following a traumatic motorcycle accident, I found myself in unfamiliar territory and in the need of a personal injury lawyer. From my first phone call to George Ides, I was in no doubt that they would be best team to handle my case, guiding me not only through the legal but also the rehabilitation process, I was always in good hands. Paul is a consummate professional, incredibly thoughtful and compassionate, but at the same time ensuring that I had the best advice and in a timely manner, a heart felt thank you, Paul.
Kate Buttriss
Paul Fretwell
Thank you very much for your email. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all your advice and perseverance, especially with regards to the final settlement. Both myself and my wife are so pleased that this matter is finished! We wish you all the best for the future. Kind regards,
Garry
Paul Lewis
Thank you seems such a trivial word and yet without your tenacity, we would not be here today. For all the medical providers you sought out and your words of stability at each and every stage I cannot thank you enough. You will never know how much of a difference you have made, without your constant reassurance and steps of transition to medical assistance especially during Covid I know I would not be at this stage on my journey.
Michele Scott-Green
Paul Lewis
I take this opportunity to thank you for the support, professionalism, and wonderful advice you gave us throughout this difficult time. It was a very stressful period for us as it was our first experience with the court. Without all your help and legal advice, I would undoubtedly have been in a much more precarious situation. Thank you so much for your support and hard work. On behalf of me and my wife I would like to say a big thank you for taking up my case and representing us as our legal counsel. When we thought it was too much to handle, you were there for us to give us strength and hope. We always found you to be very friendly when we needed any legal advice. Once again, I thank you so much for your understanding, for your patience, your dedication to my case and most of all, thank you for being friendlier, making us more comfortable with your advice and guidance than just a mere professional lawyer during that difficult moment. This means a lot to us, and we will be forever grateful to you.
Haresh & Varsha Naik
Paul Lewis
We thought that we needed to write to you to express our deepest thanks for the way that you personally and all of the staff involved with you carried out the whole case from beginning to end.
We hope that you can convey our thanks to them on our behalf. The background people are often overlooked, but we feel that we had the best team available playing for us on all levels.
Paul Fretwell
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for guiding and supporting my friends through to this conclusion over the last 3 years. The early days were incredibly tough for them as you know and your calm reassuring presence has been one of the main reasons they were able to cope, especially back then. You’ll have learnt that R is a very tough and determined character, but I know they’d have struggled without your help.
Living abroad and unable to help them as much as I would have liked, it’s been so reassuring to continually hear how confident they’ve been in your ability to resolve this for them, right from the word go. I know I was very happy in my own mind that they’d got the right person on their side, after I spoke to you on the phone.
So, thank you again for all the time and effort you’ve put into getting them this result… for always being available to speak to them, even when you were supposed to be on holiday, for steering them through the hardest times and the quagmire of the courts. You’ve made such a difference for them and seeing R getting on with life with such a positive attitude that I’m not sure I would have been able to replicate, had it happened to me; is extremely satisfying as well as inspirational.
Rich J
Paul Fretwell
Paul Fretwell has been our solicitor now for 8.5 years and has been dealing with the case for AB (our son) who sustained a head injury in 2012 due to a car accident.
Over the years we have come to rely on Paul’s expert opinion and knowledge of brain injuries to help us understand A’s behaviours and needs.
Paul has been a massive support to us and our whole family since A sustained life changing injuries, as you can imagine, it has been an uphill battle for us and we had no idea or understanding of the challenges to come or how to even start to put in place all the support A needed and still needs today.
A now has his Support Worker, D that Paul put in place, which to be honest, has been a godsend to the family and A. A has a great relationship with D, and we will be eternally grateful. D helps A with day to day challenges that most people take for granted and A now feels D is a friend as well as his mentor and “life coach”. A also has an OT that visits his home to check he is doing ok and guide him in day to day tasks etc.
Paul has always been a phone call away at any time, he is very patient and understanding, his friendly approach to the whole family means we feel we can be very open and frank with him. Although all the legal “jargon” is very hard for us to understand, Paul is and has always been massive support, he explains in detail every word and meaning and why certain steps need to be taken to help A’s case.
We will always be eternally grateful to Paul and George Ide Solicitors.
Paul Fretwell
I would like to say a huge thank you to Paul (with the fantastic assistance of Karen and Lizzy especially) for the support and kindness throughout my claim as well as the superb outcome that he obtained for me.
I am in no doubt that I would never have achieved the result without the dedication, experience and can do attitude of Paul and the team. Their caring attitude, sensitivity and professionalism shined throughout the entire process. Despite the other side initially denying liability, Paul fought tirelessly on my behalf, to ensure they provided what they should do, thus allowing me to get back to as near a normal life as quickly and safely as possible. Right from the first point of contact (and I first met Paul from my hospital bed), the service was outstanding and second to none, the communication was excellent, and I was never in doubt as to what was happening, and why. I truly believe my subsequent recovery is down to the fact that I was guided so well by Paul and his team, and him obtaining the opinions of the experts he did.
The support was amazing, as was the end result, which has ensured I am able to continue to press on with my every day life without worry of what lies ahead, despite the disability I now have. I really cannot recommend Paul and is team enough, I would suggest to anyone that is in need of a personal injury solicitor to give Paul a call, it really would make all the difference.
Rusty Brown.
Paul Fretwell
Following a very traumatic car accident I found myself in the extremely capable hands of Paul Lewis.
He spent time explaining the legal procedures and helped me through every step of my very stressful personal injury claim. Thank you for all you have done for me, you were fantastic.”
Ms L
Paul Lewis
Just to confirm the safe receipt of the settlement money into my account,and also want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work not just regarding the fee but also treatment wich help me getting in track with normal life after the accident. Again many thanks for all your hard work.
Mauricio Goncalves
Paul Lewis
How Is Car Accident Compensation Calculated?
When you make a car accident claim, compensation is typically divided into two categories: general damages and special damages.
- General damages: This covers compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (the impact the injury has on your quality of life). The amount awarded depends on the severity of your injuries and their long-term effects.
- Special damages: This includes financial losses incurred due to the accident. It can cover:
- Lost earnings (including future earnings if you’re unable to work)
- Medical expenses (including ongoing treatment and rehabilitation)
- Travel costs related to medical appointments
- Damage to personal property, such as your car
Our expert road accident solicitors at George Ide LLP will work to ensure that both general and special damages are accurately calculated, so you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
No Win, No Fee Car Accident Claims
At George Ide LLP, we offer no win, no fee agreements where appropriate to all car accident claimants. This means that there’s no financial risk to you if the claim fails, assuming you have been honest and accurate in the information you have provided to us. If your claim is successful, our fees will be a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation awarded.
This arrangement ensures peace of mind and allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about upfront legal costs.
Can You Claim for a Hit-and-Run or Uninsured Driver?
If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident or an accident with an uninsured driver, you may still be able to make a claim for compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB compensates victims of uninsured and untraceable drivers, ensuring that you’re not left out of pocket due to someone else’s negligence.
We will guide you through the MIB claim process, ensuring all the necessary evidence is submitted to support your case.
How Long Do You Have to Make a Car Accident Claim?
In England and Wales, there is a strict three-year time limit for making a personal injury claim arising from a motor accident. This period starts from the date of the accident or from when you became aware that your injuries were caused by the accident.
There are exceptions to this rule:
- Children: If the injured party is under 18, the three-year time limit begins when they turn 18.
- Mental capacity: If the individual lacks mental capacity, there may be an indefinite period in which to make a claim.
It’s important to start the claims process as soon as possible to ensure that all available evidence is obtained and not lost.
As a robust full-service law firm, we also offer specialist Court of Protection and Deputyship services to protect the welfare and finances of accident victims who are unable to manage their own affairs, as well as a comprehensive range of private client legal and financial services including setting up and managing personal injury trusts, providing replacement cars and arranging private medical care.
Contact our personal injury team
To find out more about our expert personal injury team and for further information about all aspects of our comprehensive personal injury service, contact one of our specialists directly using the contact details below.
Contact Our Friendly Legal Experts Today
For general enquiries or to discuss more specific needs in personal or commercial law please get in touch with a friendly member of our team today.
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Author: Paul Lewis
Last updated: 16th December, 2024
