Bicycle accident help

rev_henry

The insurance company have sent out their 'investigators' to go and see the driver, because they can't get hold of him on the phone or something. Apparently it'll take a week. I'm loathed to go to one of those awful no win no fee solicitors but if they're going to mess me around I might do. I've found a couple who specialise in cycling claims.

rev_henry

I have now had the bike temporarily repaired, and a quote of £80 to repair it properly. More than are still mucking around, saying it may take weeks now. Meanwhile some solicitors seem to want to take on the claim no win no fee. Someone is coming to go through the forms with me tomorrow. Is this a good idea? Is there anything I should know?

steady__eddie

"I'm loathed to go to one of those awful no win no fee solicitors but if they're going to mess me around I might do."

I know what you mean reverend but there are times when needs must. I was dethroned from my bicycle last August when a white van man pulled out of a side street. Back wheel was written off and I picked up a few bruises but fortunately nothing else was broken so the hospital said. The driver accepted one of these driving awareness course thingys but it took me until January to get his details from the police and that was after I had a a complaint recorded and started a freedom of information request. It turns out that the registered keeper was a hire company so it took another month for me to get details of the driver. His employer contacted me and supplied me with the Insurance company and even the claim reference number. I wrote to the insurance company making a claim at the end of February. When I had not received a response by the begining of April, I delivered a reminder to them BY HAND, their office is only 4 miles away from me. Still no response so I contacted the FSA 2 weeks ago, haven't had a response from these either yet, could it be possibly due to the soap I use ?
Last week I had a cold call enquiring, "Have you had an accident in the last 3 years ? " I thought I've wasted enough of my own time on this, I'll let somebody else have a go for a change. Two hours later a brief rang me back, took my side of the story and said no probs and two days later I received a mountain of paperwork to fill in and return.

rev_henry

Well someone was sent round to go through the paperwork today. Seems fine, they're talking about considerable sums of money for me. However I'm a bit miffed, looking through the paperwork at all the money changing hands and not going anywhere near me. Turns out the company I first contacted are a claim farm who get paid commission for doing next to nothing, despite advertising as a specialist cycling claims company. Then there's the commission to the AEI company, and of course the legal fees. Is there anything I can do about this? I do have a cooling off period...

ventureuk

Persevere, be patient and find a decent no win no fee rep.

Don't pay unless you are looking at 6 figure costs which are generally serious and long term injuries are expected.

I've just had a 4 figure payout after being totalled by a teenage driver convicted of dangerous driving, failing to stop, failing to report and assault.

Mine was quick thanks to swift Police action, a guilty plea at Crown Court and the 3rd parties insurer being a decent company.

He ran an 80yr old woman down three days after hitting me.

Currently the other parties insurer will pay your solicitors costs pending changes to the rules expected over the next few years.

steady__eddie

Thanks for your input ventureuk but would you care to explain to a complete numpty in these matters like me how you can spot "a decent no win no fee rep" ?
Glad to hear that you managed to obtain some satisfaction but I hope your injuries were not too severe.
What kind of time span did it take from the start to the completion of your legal proceedings ?

rev_henry

A not particularly exciting update for you all.

This is still ongoing. The police are being, well, slow but making noises in the right direction. Apparently they're struggling to get hold of the driver, but he has responded to a SECOND S172 request for driver details (quite why they sent a second one out rather than prosecuting him for not responding to the first I don't know).

Insurance are still disputing liability saying its my fault for going too quickly. On a bike? Give over... Looks like its going to go to court - I have loads of lovely paperwork to fill in. I would have thought the insurance company would settle out of court at the last minute when they see I'm not going away?

cardinalbiggles

rev_henry wrote: »

A not particularly exciting update for you all.

This is still ongoing. The police are being, well, slow but making noises in the right direction. Apparently they're struggling to get hold of the driver, but he has responded to a SECOND S172 request for driver details (quite why they sent a second one out rather than prosecuting him for not responding to the first I don't know).

Insurance are still disputing liability saying its my fault for going too quickly. On a bike? Give over... Looks like its going to go to court - I have loads of lovely paperwork to fill in. I would have thought the insurance company would settle out of court at the last minute when they see I'm not going away?

If it goes to court good luck! I am sure everything will work out.

rev_henry

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

If it goes to court good luck! I am sure everything will work out.

Thank you for your kind words.

I'm feeling rather proud of myself now for completing ALL the paperwork today, as I had planned to, ready to send off tomorrow.

Mids_Costcutter

Hope it goes well Rev, if it does go to court. You're fortunate to have some independent witnesses - that's often not the case with many crashes.