how do I claim, if I can?

miss.demeanor

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.

InsideInsurance

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

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

ring the legal expenses helpline, they wil ltake details and advise you

Quentin

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

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

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

Crazy_Jamie

miss.demeanor wrote: »

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.

vaio

and google will provide a list of solicitors that will give you the referral fee if you self refer

miss.demeanor

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.

Bravehearted_2

Should have signed the accident book - was this caught on camera?