solicitors letter after accident - any advice please?

redstararnie76

Hi, I was in an accident earlier in the year and I have had no prior experience of this - I was hoping that if someone else has they might be able to advise. Apologies if the question's a stupid one.

I was involved in an accident several months ago. Although I suspect the other party was speeding slightly, I have no proof of that, and I was certainly to blame as I was hit as I pulled out onto a road at a junction, so I don't have much defence! My insurers admitted liability.

I was told by my insurers to not enter into any correspondence with the other party at all, that they are dealing with the claim, and to forward any contact I receive to them. I've now received a letter from a solicitors (to me directly, though they do say that they have sent a copy to my insurers), acting on behalf of the other party's insurance company. They want me to confirm that liability is not in dispute and that I will deal with the claim. They then tell me that they are 'looking forward to receiving a cheque from me' and threaten that if they don't hear from me within 7 days that they will commence legal proceedings.

I have contacted my insurers to tell them this and they have told me to ignore the letter, that they have raised the cheque and are currently waiting for it to be authorised. They have said that they will write to the solicitors to tell them that.

Being somewhat paranoid, my concern is - is it right that I should ignore this letter, after all it is ME not the insurers that they are threatening, or is this a standard letter designed to make me do exactly what I have done, and harrass my insurers to make them act faster? If the insurers don't actually contact the solicitors ASAP though they have said they will - am I liable? And is it likely that the solicitors will commence legal proceedings after 7 days, when this is all being dealt with?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Quentin

It's normal for the third party to address such correspondence to the individual concerned, not their insurer. Don't worry about it, follow your insurer's advice and forward it (and any further correspondence you get) to them unanswered.

david39

The third party's insurers can only take proceedings against you (not your insurers) so they have to address all correspondence to you. This is quite normal.

The fact that they say they have contacted your own insurers shows that the letter to you was a formality and that they expect a response from them, not you.

Don't worry - let the insurance companies sort it out - that's what you pay your premiums for.

redstararnie76

Many thanks Quentin and David, that's really reassuring to hear.