Accidents can happen to anyone and at any time. A personal injury occurs when a person suffers bodily injuries during an accident. Personal injuries refer not only to physical damage; they can refer to psychological damage as well. For example, an accident victim might suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by the particularly distressing experience of the accident.

Accidents and injuries can have a major impact on one's life and may lead to permanent disabilities and financial problems. One may require ongoing medical treatment and suffer from long-term pain. One might be forced to change jobs in the aftermath of the accident, or even be made unemployed. Personal injury claims vary immensely in nature and circumstances as no two accidents are ever the same. When a person's injury or death is caused solely or partly by the fault of another person or agent, the injured victim can institute legal action for personal injuries to obtain compensation from the wrongdoer.

It is difficult to provide exact figures as regards how much compensation a successful claim for a personal injury would bring because each case is different in circumstances and no one case will be exactly the same as another.

In general terms a compensation claim for personal injury will be calculated by taking into account the past and future financial cost caused by the injuries sustained in the accident, the pain and suffering that was caused as a result, and the interest that has accrued from the time that the proceedings were served. The court would also consider any amount payable from the financial loss attributable to the injuries caused by the accident and legal costs.

The main objective of compensation is to place the claimant (person making the claim) in the position that they would have enjoyed had the accident not occurred, insofar as monetary compensation can achieve this.

It is recommended that you consult a lawyer for a detailed explanation of how to organize and proceed with a claim for damages.