In 2021, it was estimated that the personal injury litigation market was worth a staggering $41.5 billion in the US alone, although can somewhat be accounted for by the litigious nature of North America. However, the personal injury market in the UK has also grown exponentially, as has the number of solicitors who operate almost exclusively in this field of law. But what are the most common mistakes made by personal injury claimants? Here are a few to keep in mind.

1. Proceeding Without a Lawyer

 Let’s start with the basics; as many people think that they can capitalise on the trend for personal injury claims as a way of earning quick and easy cash. In order to optimise what they believe to be easy profit, many may even eschew the advice and assistance of solicitors, in order to proceed alone and retain 100% of the compensation they receive for themselves. However, this is a huge false economy, as personal injury can be highly complex, very time-consuming and in no way guarantee a payout at the end of the process. So, hiring a solicitor can be key if you’re to proceed as efficiently as possible and increase your chances of pursuing a successful claim.

2. Assuming All Lawyers are the Same

 When you do decide to hire a solicitor, it’s important to note that not all operators have been created equal. This applies to both skillset and experience, as some lawyers have dedicated themselves to the field of personal injury litigation and also have years of experience within this sector. So, you’ll need to compare the market thoroughly before choosing a viable service provider, while also asking the pertinent questions to solicitors to ensure that you identify the right option for you.

3. Failing to Keep Evidence of Your Injury

 With any personal injury or medical negligence claim, you’ll be required by law to demonstrate both the physical or mental harm caused and that the defendant was at fault. This will require you to keep evidence of the incident and subsequent fallout, from the accident report log (if the injury occurs at work) to any medical reports from doctors and hospitals. It’s important to keep this documentation in case you make a claim, before presenting this to solicitors and enabling them to effectively pursue compensation on your behalf. Otherwise, you may make it possible to bring a claim in court or dramatically undermine your chances of receiving any form of compensation.