We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

how do I claim, if I can?

Hello, I have a question about submitting a personal injury claim.

Last week I was leaving a petrol station and my scooter slipped on some petrol or oil on exit and I fell off and injured myself and my scooter quite badly. I was so upset and in pain I didn't go inside as suggested by the assistant to sign an accident book and have a cup of tea until I felt better. The lady working there was very concerned, but I just wanted to get home and recover, I was quite shaken by it. This lady also saw it happen and agreed with another witness it was the slippy ground that caused it as I had just taken off very slowly.

My question is: should I or could I claim for this? I have already had to replace a mirror and will need other cracked parts replaced. I took photos of my injuries to my bruised knees 5 days later.

I was thinking of writing a letter of complaint to the company for health & safety negligence but I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do.

Advice appreciated.

Comments

  • InsideInsurance
    InsideInsurance Posts: 22,460 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Do you have legal expenses on your bike? If you do then ask them to appoint a solicitor for you to speak to and decide how to proceed or if you have a claim at all
  • miss.demeanor
    miss.demeanor Posts: 4 Newbie
    edited 3 March 2012 at 2:59PM
    Thank you for your reply. I have looked at my insurance policy and it looks like I am not covered for legal expenses:

    Legal Representation and Costs - Reasonable legal costs and expenses for representing the Insured at an inquest or enquiry or defending charges of causing death by dangerous driving or manslaughter.

    Will it cost money to speak to a solicitor? Sorry to ask silly questions but this is a new area for me.
  • hcb42
    hcb42 Posts: 5,962 Forumite
    ring the legal expenses helpline, they wil ltake details and advise you
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    edited 3 March 2012 at 4:57PM
    If you speak to your insurer about this incident, then it will be recorded as a "loss" you have experienced which you will have to disclose to any new insurer you approach for quotes in the future - (insurers ask for your history over 3/5 years).

    You could speak to an injury claim specialist (no win no fee) and see if they want to take your caase on. It wouldn't cost anything to find out!
  • miss.demeanor
    miss.demeanor Posts: 4 Newbie
    edited 3 March 2012 at 8:03PM
    Ok great, I wasn't sure about these companies as I have been warned away from them.
    I was just looking at (not sure if I can post a link here) the one that Esther Rantzen is poster girl for. Do you think that company would be reputable and helpful?

    Thank you for the replies :)

    eta: It seems all of the legal advice helplines are closed on weekends, but I will try to contact them on Monday.
  • mountainofdebt
    mountainofdebt Posts: 7,795 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Just because Ester Rantzan is the poster girl for a no win no fee company doesn't make it reputable but I have no doubt they will be helpful in trying to get you money (and also them a nice fat fee)

    all it means is that she's sold her soul to the highest bidder.

    One word of warning though this 'nice' lady who helped you might have a sudden attack of memory loss if you try and get her to help you sue her employers - the fact you didn't sign the accident book may be quite important
    2014 Target;
    To overpay CC by £1,000.
    Overpayment to date : £310

    2nd Purse Challenge:
    £15.88 saved to date
  • Crazy_Jamie
    Crazy_Jamie Posts: 2,246 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I was just looking at (not sure if I can post a link here) the one that Esther Rantzen is poster girl for. Do you think that company would be reputable and helpful?
    That company (Accident Advice Helpline) is a claims management company, not a firm of solicitors. In reality all they would do is take your claim, and then if it reached any level of complexity they would simply refer to to a solicitor on their panel (for which they receive a fee). There is absolutely nothing to be gained from approaching a claims management company as opposed to going straight to a solicitor; it's best just to cut out the middle man.
    "MIND IF I USE YOUR PHONE? IF WORD GETS OUT THAT
    I'M MISSING FIVE HUNDRED GIRLS WILL KILL THEMSELVES."
  • vaio
    vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    and google will provide a list of solicitors that will give you the referral fee if you self refer
  • Thank you to all. I realise that jumping to the first friendly face on a personal injury claim website was not the best idea! Luckily I did not call them.

    I called the legal expenses helpline who then passed me on to apil.org.uk and all the information was there to contact a solicitor directly. I have just given them a call and I am waiting to hear if my claim is worth submitting.
  • Should have signed the accident book - was this caught on camera?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.6K Life & Family
  • 262.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.