In recent years there’s been an awful lot of bluster in the newspapers regarding the so-called ‘accident claims culture’ that is developing in the UK. Journalists regularly bemoan what they see as a US-style, money-grabbing tendency in the field of accident claims, in which people will claim for the slightest injury in the hope of receiving a big fat payout.
In the real world however, this is categorically not the case. In fact, statistics show that only 31% of all those eligible to make an accident claim actually do so. That means there are thousands of people in the UK suffering both financially and physically following an accident that was not their fault, and yet they have not received the proper compensation, to which they are legally entitled.
In fact, the number of accident claims being made in the UK has barely increased in previous years, and much of this can be put down to population increase rather than some evil Americanism invading our shores.
Who’s to Blame for the ‘Accident Claims Culture’ Fallacy?
The UK media is largely to blame for spreading the idea that Britain is devolving into the kind of personal injury claims culture in which people claim for stubbing their toe in a restaurant. Unfortunately, it’s a myth that has really taken hold in the popular consciousness.
A survey conducted in 2008 demonstrated that, even three years ago, the idea was already beginning to take hold. Of the respondents to the survey, 81% felt that the country was in the grip of a US style claims culture, and 53% suggested that claimants are purely financially motivated. However, spend some time dealing with accident claims from a solicitor or a victim’s point of view, and the truth becomes clear.
For many claimants, personal injury compensation is a vital lifeline during hard times following an accident that was not their fault. For example, a serious accident in the workplace can leave people unable to earn a living – with bills mounting, financial compensation can be a life-saver.
Making an Accident Claim
If you’ve been putting off contacting a solicitor regarding a personal injury claim, whether it’s because you feel embarrassed and are worried that the accident was partially your fault, or because you don’t want to be labelled as a money-grabber, you should seriously consider speaking to a legal expert.
Clear Law Solicitors specialise in accident and personal injury claims and will be happy to provide free, confidential legal advice regarding accident claims. For more information, visit their website: http://www.clearlawonline.co.uk/