Car crashes, falls, work injuries
Hurt in an accident? Know where you stand before the insurer calls.
You're dealing with pain, missed work, a damaged car and an adjuster who wants a quick statement. We explain how accident claims really work in the US, UK and Canada, in plain English, so you can make good decisions and know when a lawyer is worth it.
Start with what's in front of you
What to do after an accident
Safety, photos, names and the few things you should not say or sign in the first days.
Car accident claims
Injury, vehicle damage, lost wages and fault: how each part of a crash claim gets paid.
How much is my claim worth?
What pushes a settlement up or down, and how to tell if an offer is too low.
Hiring an accident lawyer
When you need one, how contingency and no win, no fee deals work, and the questions to ask.
Dealing with insurance
Adjusters, recorded statements, coverage limits, and what to do when a claim is delayed or denied.
Accident claim glossary
100 legal, insurance and medical terms explained the way you'd explain them to a friend.
Most claims are won or lost in the first few weeks
Not in a courtroom. In the medical notes written the day after the crash, the photos taken before the cars were moved, and the recorded call where someone said "I'm fine" because they didn't want to make a fuss.
Insurers handle thousands of claims. You'll probably handle one. That gap is why the early steps matter so much, and why we focus on them.
Five things that protect almost any claim
- See a doctor early and describe how the accident happened.
- Photograph the scene, the vehicles or hazard, and your injuries.
- Get names, plates, insurers and witness numbers.
- Keep every receipt, pay slip and letter in one folder.
- Don't give a recorded statement or sign a release until you understand your injuries.
Find your topic
Accident types
Car, motorcycle, pedestrian, slip and fall, and workplace injuries, and who usually pays for each.
The claims process
From the first report to an offer, a lawsuit or a settlement, with rough timelines.
Compensation
Medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, future care: what you can claim and how to prove it.
Hiring a lawyer
Fees, first meetings, red flags, and when handling it yourself makes sense.
Side-by-side comparisons
Settlement vs trial, fault vs no-fault, whiplash vs concussion and more.
Free printable workbooks
Track treatment, expenses, calls with the insurer and questions for a lawyer.
Rules change at the border
Fault rules, insurance systems and deadlines differ between US states, the UK nations and Canadian provinces. In England and Wales you usually have three years to start an injury claim. In many US states it's two or three, and in Ontario it's generally two. What you read here is general information, not legal advice. For your own case, talk to a licensed lawyer where the accident happened. Many offer a free first consultation.