Get medical attention and keep records. Your health comes first, but medical records also form the backbone of any claim. See a GP or go to A&E as soon as possible after the incident, follow the treatment plan you are given, and keep copies of prescriptions, referral letters, and appointment cards. Delays in seeking treatment can be used to question how serious your injuries really were. 2. **Gather evidence while it is fresh.** Memories fade and scenes change quickly. Take photographs of the location, any hazards involved, and visible injuries. Note the names and contact details of witnesses, keep damaged clothing or equipment, and write down your own account of what happened while the details are still clear. If the accident happened at work or in a public place, make sure it is recorded in the accident book. 3. **Report the incident to the right people.** Road accidents should be reported to the police and your insurer, workplace accidents to your employer and potentially the Health and Safety Executive, and incidents in shops or public venues to the occupier so the report goes into their records. Reporting creates an official paper trail that is far harder to dispute later. 4. **Work out who is responsible and get legal help.** Identifying the correct defendant is not always obvious, especially where contractors, landlords, or multiple drivers are involved. Most personal injury solicitors offer no win, no fee arrangements, which means you only pay a success fee if the claim succeeds. Choose someone who handles your type of claim regularly rather than a generalist. 5. **Follow the claims protocol and negotiate settlement.** Most claims are settled without a court hearing. Your representative will send a formal letter of claim to the defendant, who then has a set period to investigate and respond. Medical evidence is obtained, losses are calculated, and a figure is negotiated. If agreement proves impossible, court proceedings are issued, but this remains the exception rather than the rule.