Car accident, lying about injuries with no win no fee lawyer

Want2bRich

Hi - I wonder if any of you intelligent people can help me.

Last August I was in a car accident. I drove into the car in front because I could not see the break lights (possibly not working?). It was in a 30 zone and impact was minor. I accepted liability because when police was called the policeman said because the car behind is almost always guilty. Fair enough, I thought. The other driver seemed nice and our insurance companies sorted it out.

Now however this "nice man" has gone to no win no fee solicitors saying he's hurt his left knee and needed physio. And he's claiming over a thousand for pain, suffering and loss of amenity!! Now, I actually live 5 minutes away from this man, and since the accident I've seen him out and about several times a week. I know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with him. None of his friends know anything about him having a "bad knee". I've also found his Twitter account and most definitely he is living life to the full!

My question is has anyone been in a situation where other side is claiming personal injury or whiplash when blatantly LYING?? I am so angry about this. I'm trying to see the situation from his point and I realise that he's got nothing to lose. BUT is there anything I can do? How on earth am I going to prove that he is lying? I've had a court form sent through and I can see he's been to a doctor complaining of knee pain. Dr has charged around £300 for treatment so far and has written that the man should need 1 more session, but of course the man is greedy and wants more..

Has any of you had an experience like this? I've not had a car accident before nor have I been sued before. Should I just accept that there is nothing I can do?

Sgt_Pepper_2

Not much you can do. He will have fully recovered now, hence the claim.

Joe_Horner

The claim should be included in what your insurers cover. Make sure they're aware of the fact that he doesn't appear to be suffering the claimed injury (when he's not near a court) and let them deal.

sarahg1969

If you feel concerned, print off his posts from social networking sites and send them to your insurer. What was the damage to the vehicles? Any idea how much it cost to fix?

If he's had to issue proceedings, it may well be that your insurers have already decided not to take his claim at face value (although I would have expected them to have spoken to you already if this were the case).

Quentin

Want2bRich wrote: »

........ I've had a court form sent through and I can see he's been to a doctor complaining of knee pain. Dr has charged around £300 for treatment so far and has written that the man should need 1 more session, but of course the man is greedy and wants more..

Has any of you had an experience like this? I've not had a car accident before nor have I been sued before. Should I just accept that there is nothing I can do?

Although they are sueing you personally, you mustn't deal with this yourself!

Pass all documents (unanswered) you get about this on to your insurer (who dealt with the original claim) to deal with.

Charliezoo

Am I right in saying that if you've paid your excess it makes no difference how much their claim totals? I presume even if they sued you for £10000 for their injuries it would make no difference to your insurance policy as it would all come under one claim. I could be wrong, would be interested to know...

I know it must be annoying to see him with apparently no injuries but I would have thought its just going to cause you more stress by worrying about it and its really in the hands of the insurer now.

Quentin

Charliezoo wrote: »

Am I right in saying that if you've paid your excess it makes no difference how much their claim totals? I presume even if they sued you for £10000 for their injuries it would make no difference to your insurance policy as it would all come under one claim. I could be wrong, would be interested to know...

You are, (apart from the "excess" issue), correct - all claims from all parties from a single incident that you are held liable (or partly liable) for count as one claim "against" you.

(Though this is irrespective of whether or not your excess was paid!)

hartcjhart

tell your insurance company that you think the man is putting in a fraudulent claim and let then deal with it

property.advert

The amount of a claim does have an impact on your premiums.

Charliezoo

property.advert wrote: »

The amount of a claim does have an impact on your premiums.

Really? I can't ever remember being asked for the total cost of a claim when I'm renewing my insurance - I'm not even aware of how much my last claim cost.

harveybobbles

Want2bRich wrote: »

I drove into the car in front because I could not see the break lights

The fact that you rely on having to see the cars brake lights to know its slowing down worries me...