You do not usually need a solicitor in your immediate area, as many personal injury firms offer telephone or online appointments. Look for a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), with experience in the type of accident involved, and check their costs and funding arrangements before instructing them. Keep photographs, witness details, medical records and accident reports, as these may help assess your claim. Personal injury claims often have strict time limits, so consider seeking independent advice promptly; the likely outcome depends on the facts and evidence.