Cycling & hit by car- can I claim?

Awen

Firstly, hope this is the right section for this sort of question....

Two weeks ago I was cycling to work & was hit by a car, she has admitted it was her fault (she was supposed to wait at the give way markings on the road until it was clear- but says she didn't see me). Am still off work, bruising, neck pain, stiffness, swelling, and a severe headache for 4 days.
Am a single parent so struggled for the last two weeks to keep things going along with help, the driver offered to buy me a replacement cycle & hat - which she has done.
I do not kow anything about the claim proceedure or where to go, or finding a reputable company, does anyone have any advice?
Many thanks
x

Quentin

You could contact an injury claim handler or solicitor to deal with this. They will claim from the third party's insurance company. Their fees should be paid by the third party.

All you need is the third party's name and address (you don't need to contact them to find out who they are insured with, you can leave everything to the claim handler)

geri1965_2

If you have any legal expenses cover, e.g. under your household insurance or as a trade union member, they will be able to put you in touch with a solicitor who can deal with this for you.

If not, personal recommendations are best.

Failing that, try Yellow Pages. I would be inclined to go for a solicitor rather than a claims handler, as claims handlers fees are not recoverable from the other party.

Quentin

Yes they are. Claim handlers invariably use a solicitor in P I cases and their fees are recoverable from the third party.

Thought you were in the insurance business and would know that?

geri1965_2

Quentin wrote: »

Yes they are. Claim handlers invariably use a solicitor in P I cases and their fees are recoverable from the third party.

Thought you were in the insurance business and would know that?

As I said - solicitors fees are recoverable. However, some claims handlers deal with injury claims themselves without employing solicitors and in these cases their fees are not recoverable.

No need for the sarcasm by the way.

Quentin

No-one should (or would) enter into a cut and dried PI claim agreement with any specialist (solicitor/claim handler) requiring a fee!

Elsewhere you have told us you are a claims handler, and it is reasonable to assume that you would know that claims handlers use solicitors in such cases to ensure the third party pays the fees!

MORPH3US

Yep, if you are off work as a result of your injuries then get a claim in OP.

I do a lot of cycling to work myself and I know its only a matter of time until someone tries "not seeing" me.....

Hope you are ok anyway.

geri1965_2

Quentin wrote: »

No-one should (or would) enter into a cut and dried PI claim agreement with any specialist (solicitor/claim handler) requiring a fee!

Elsewhere you have told us you are a claims handler, and it is reasonable to assume that you would know that claims handlers use solicitors in such cases to ensure the third party pays the fees!

I am a claims handler/loss adjuster for a firm of loss adjusters. I work for defendants not claimants.

I can tell you for a fact that there are claims handlers who do not use solicitors - I've had claims from Turnamms in Watford, in their case I pay disbursements only.

I really don't see the point in employing a claims handler who instructs a solicitor, when a claimant can go directly to a solicitor in the first place. What is to be gained?

Quentin

Claim handlers are (sometimes) more easily approachable than solicitors. You can often ring a freephone number and get the ball rolling straightaway, rather than have to make an appointment, take time off etc.

The reputable claim handlers have the experience and expertise to know which particular solicitor to give the case to in order to maximise the compensation. Different solicitors have different specialities, and it is hard for someone involved in a one off incident to know where is best to go.

Were everyone to take your jaundiced view, there would be no claim handlers at all!

geri1965_2

Quentin wrote: »

Claim handlers are (sometimes) more easily approachable than solicitors. You can often ring a freephone number and get the ball rolling straightaway, rather than have to make an appointment, take time off etc.

The reputable claim handlers have the experience and expertise to know which particular solicitor to give the case to in order to maximise the compensation. Different solicitors have different specialities, and it is hard for someone involved in a one off incident to know where is best to go.

Were everyone to take your jaundiced view, there would be no claim handlers at all!

Hmmm. Anyone might think you worked for one, or something!

Quentin

I have no axe to grind for them.

But there is no doubt why you don't like them!

geri1965 wrote:

I am a claims handler/loss adjuster for a firm of loss adjusters. I work for defendants not claimants.