• How long will my accident claim take?
• Do I have a claim?
• How does 'No Win - No Fee' actually work?
• Are you a claims management company?
• Is your personal injury claims service free?
• Is my accident compensation taxable?
• Will I have to fill in loads of forms?
• How long do I have to make a claim?
• Do I have to go to your office?
• How much compensation will I get?
• Will I need a barrister?
• What areas do you cover?

How long will my accident claim take?

Once one of our Devon-based personal injury solicitors has assessed your accident claim we will be able to give you some idea of how long it is likely to take.

There is no set length for a personal injury claim. Each case is different and the time it takes will vary from just a few months to a few years.

If we are working on a no win - no fee basis then we won't get paid until the end of the case, so it is not in our interest for settlement to be delayed. However, you only get "one bite of the cherry". Our professional negligence solicitors often see examples of personal injury claims that have been undersettled as a result of the case being concluded too quickly. As reputable solicitors, we put ethics before profit and will not rush you into an early settlement if it is not right for you.

The speed at which a personal injury claim progresses depends on a variety of factors, including:-

Whether liability for the accident is disputed;
The seriousness of the injuries;
Whether court proceedings are necessary;
The complexity of the medical evidence.

We know that our clients generally want to put the accident behind them, receive their compensation and move on with their lives. Accordingly, our solicitors always strive to progress claims diligently and with the minimum delay.

Do I have a claim?

If you give us the details of your potential accident claim, we will soon tell you.

Every personal injury claim has to be assessed on its own merits. Don't rely on what other people may have told you or the adverts you see on the TV.

We offer a FREE case assessment service. Just give us a ring or send us an email and we'll tell you if we think your claim is a potential winner.

And as we have a Devon-wide network of offices (Barnstaple, Exeter, South Molton, Bideford and Braunton) you are very welcome to pop in to see us face-to-face; again entirely free of charge.

So, to find out where you stand contact us now for your free case assessment.

How does ‘No Win – No Fee' actually work?

We have been dealing with accident claims on a no win – no fee basis ever since the law first allowed solicitors to do so and we have an excellent track record of success.

The no win - no fee system works on the basis that we recover our costs from the insurer of the losing party. If you don't win, we don't get paid. We therefore only take on cases we think we can win, and you are assured we will do everything we can to ensure that your claim reaches a successful conclusion.

A feature of our no win – no fee scheme is our guarantee that a claimant will receive 100% of the compensation awarded. Unlike some other firms of solicitors and claims companies, we don't take a slice of your compensation. There are no charges or hidden deductions. At the end of the case, you get all the compensation you are awarded: 100% guaranteed.

And on those fortunately rare occasions when we don't succeed, you won't owe us a penny. So, you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by pursuing your accident claim though Devon's leading specialists.

Are you a claims management company?

Certainly not!

We are a fully regulated, reputable firm of solicitors.

We are not one of those "here today, gone tomorrow" accident claims companies that advertise so heavily on the internet.

Many of these companies encourage people to think of them as solicitors, but they are not. They are just companies who trade in personal injury claims. They don't deal with the case themselves. They are simply middlemen, selling your claim on to the highest bidder and taking a hefty profit for themselves.

Claims management companies often claim to have a specialist "panel" of solicitors, ready to take on your accident claim. This can be misleading. Generally, all it means is that they have an arrangement with a number of solicitors who are willing to pay the company a referral fee for dealing with your claim: solicitors who for whatever reason are unable to attract clients themselves.

We prefer to distance ourselves from the tacky, "ambulance chasing" claims management companies, whose pushy and sometimes aggressive sales techniques are particularly distasteful.

Unlike the claims management companies, when you contact us you will speak to an experienced lawyer. And that lawyer will generally be the lawyer who conducts your case all the way through to the end.

By dealing direct with an established, Devon-based firm of specialist personal injury solicitors, you can cut out the middlemen and obtain the full compensation you deserve.

Is your personal injury claims service free?

Yes. Our personal injury claims service is entirely free. You don't have to pay a penny. We recover all costs from the losing party's insurer. This includes the cost of medical reports and other expenses such as court fees. We also have links with specialist personal injury barristers who are also willing to work on a "No Win - No Fee" basis.

Is my accident compensation taxable?

The good news is that compensation for personal injury and accident claims is not taxable.

Will I have to fill in loads of forms?

No. We will take all the details we need from you to progress your case. Apart from signing some documents there isn't any form filling. We make claiming simple and if you ever have any queries we are on hand to deal with them.

How long do I have to make a claim?

An adult generally has three years to make a personal injury claim. The time usually starts to run from the date of the accident. Three years might seem like a long time, but it's no reason to delay. The longer you leave it the more difficult it can become. Witnesses move on, evidence gets lost. That's why we would always advise people to consult an accident claims solicitor at the very earliest stage.

There are also important exceptions to the three-year rule. Sometimes the time period can start to run after the date of the accident. In certain situations (such as accidents at sea or accidents in the air) the time limit is shorter. Again, the sooner you speak to one of our Devon-based accident claim specialists, the better.

If you have already delayed the court may be prepared to exercise its discretion to override the usual time limit. And remember, for children time does not begin to run until their eighteenth birthday.

Limitation periods can be extremely complex, so it's best not to take any chances. Speak to one of our specialist lawyers as soon as you can.

Do I have to go to your office?

With a network of offices throughout Devon the chances are we'll have an office not too far from where you live or work.

If you want to pop in to see us to get the claim underway or discuss progress then you are very welcome to do so. However, many people prefer to deal with their case by telephone, post or email. It's entirely your choice and being a local, independent firm of solicitors who put clients first we are happy to deal with your claim in whatever way you wish.

You will find our offices in Exeter, Barnstaple, Bideford, South Molton and Braunton. However, we cover the entire Devon region, including:

Axminster, Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Brixham, Chulmleigh, Crediton, Dawlish, Exeter, Exmouth, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Kingsbridge, Lynton, Newton Abbot, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, Paignton, Plymouth, Sidmouth, South Molton, Tavistock, Tiverton, Torbay, Torquay, Torrington

Another advantage of dealing with a local Devon firm of accident claims solicitors is that we can, if you wish, arrange to see you at home or, if your injuries are severe, at the hospital.

How much compensation will I get?

Our job is to maximise the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. The level of compensation for an accident varies from claim to claim. Part of your award will be for the "pain and suffering" of the injury itself. This can only be assessed once an independent medical report has been obtained. The amount of compensation will depend on the seriousness of the injury, the time it takes you to recover and the extent of any continuing disability.

You are also entitled to recover your out of pocket and financial expenses. This includes things like loss of earnings, which can really mount up; especially where a claim for future loss is made.

We assess every personal injury claim individually and will work closely with you to ensure that all possible claims are included. We even make sure that claims are made for things like the value of care that is provided by family and friends; something that is often overlooked in personal injury settlements.

Will I need a barrister?

If your accident claim involves complex issues or serious injuries then we may recommend that a specialist personal injury barrister is consulted. Barristers are able to provide a useful "second opinion" in complicated claims. You only get "one bite of the cherry", so it's important to get it right. If a barrister is required in your case then we can make all the necessary arrangements and will provide you with a copy of any written advice the barrister prepares. We enjoy a good relationship with a number of highly respected barristers' chambers in the South West and London. And if your claim is being pursued on a no win – no fee basis then we will arrange for the barrister to also be instructed under a no win – no fee agreement, so it won't cost you a penny.

What areas do you cover?

Our team of personal injury lawyers deal with accident claims throughout England and Wales.

Slee Blackwell are one of just a handful of firms in the entire South West region to be listed in the influential legal directory, The Legal 500 for our expertise in the field of personal injury law.

With five offices located throughout Devon (including Exeter and Barnstaple), we are well placed to provide a high quality, personal service to claimants living, working or staying in Devon.

Being local, Devon-based solicitors we are able to offer hospital and home visits to anyone needing them.

Our personal injury solicitors cover the whole Devon region including the following towns and cities within Devon:-

Axminster, Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Brixham, Chulmleigh, Crediton, Dawlish, Exeter, Exmouth, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Kingsbridge, Lynton, Newton Abbot, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, Paignton, Plymouth, Sidmouth, South Molton, Tavistock, Tiverton, Torbay, Torquay, Torrington

So, wherever you are in Devon, our specialist accident claims lawyers are nearby, ready to help you claim the compensation you are entitled to.