Hit by a coach - how to go about a claim

bouncydog1

As you're in London you will have plenty of choice and most of the larger firms will have PI specialists. Google Legal 500 London personal injury and you will get the top firms and top lawyers - Leigh Day, Kennedy's etc.

You could also have a look at the Law society's list.

rcm75

withabix wrote: »

What was the coach doing on the pavement?

I was not on the pavement, I was on the side of the road trying to hail a cab. It has hit me with the side.

withabix wrote: »

Has the driver been charged with any offence?

It certainly didn't stop, but I'm not sure as to whether any charge was brought.
The police has been sending communications to me and my witness with regard to their investigation.
R

rcm75

bouncydog1 wrote: »

As you're in London you will have plenty of choice and most of the larger firms will have PI specialists. Google Legal 500 London personal injury and you will get the top firms and top lawyers - Leigh Day, Kennedy's etc.

You could also have a look at the Law society's list.

Thanks for the info. Legal 500 seems a very interesting website. I am using it in conjunction with <solicitorsfromhell.net>.

What's the difference between these 2 lists:
1 - <goo.gl/AbKdZ> - United Kingdom > London Bar > Personal injury
2 - <goo.gl/ungsQ> - United Kingdom > London > Insurance > Personal injury: claimant

Thanks, I feel like I'm moving closer to a meaningful selection.
I am not quite sure as to whether I should look for something specifying that I get 100% of the compensation.
And should I look for a "No win, no fee" clause?

Or should I be ready to accept less guarantees, given I'm going for higher quality solicitors?
Should I also take into account the fact I might be required to pay a legal bill, even substantial, while the claim is pursued - i.e. before I get any compensation.

Many thanks
R

Willing2Learn

rcm75 wrote: »

I thought there would be a way for me to evaluate the reputability of a firm online, either on this forum or somewhere else.
Especially considering that by being based in Lonon I have a very large market available.

Any names? I would warmly welcome them.

R

Firstly, sorry to read about your unfortunate accident and injuries sustained.

There are two independent organisations within the England & Wales that can help you find suitable legal representation.

The Community Services Commission is a public body of the Ministry of Justice for England and Wales. They have a government funded service called Community Legal Advice that can help you find an appropriate service within your area. The link takes you to their "legal advisor finder" or you contact them on the number on the number provided on the site. Although it is part of the Legal Aid programme, the solicitors listed also provide a service for those who do not fall within criteria for financial assistance and besides, I don't think a claim for personal injury would be funded by Legal Aid following changes to the conditions. Many of the solicitors will provide representation for personal injury claims, you just need to use the check boxes to narrow down the search accordingly.

The Law Society is the professional organisation that represents the solicitors in England and Wales. On their website, you will also find a solicitor search tool. The link I have given takes you to their information page on personal injury claims.

I have advised clients within organisations who have been awarded a Community Legal Services Quality Mark and I have received Law Society/Bar Council accredited training. I can recommend using either agency to assist with your search for both reputable and quality representation. I am not able to recommend any particular law centre.

In the meantime, until you find a solicitor, make sure that you keep all hospital records, details of witnesses and the shoulder numbers of the police who attended the scene. It might also help if you wrote down, a kind of diary entry of that day, to help keep the memories fresh as you may forget something important. Also write down anything connected to the incident that happens subsequently with dates/times etc. From GP/hospital visits to anything more abstract such as maybe anxiety crossing the road or whatever. Basically, keep records.

Oh yeah and Good luck!


Edit:

I am not quite sure as to whether I should look for something specifying that I get 100% of the compensation.
And should I look for a "No win, no fee" clause?

Or should I be ready to accept less guarantees, given I'm going for higher quality solicitors?
Should I also take into account the fact I might be required to pay a legal bill, even substantial, while the claim is pursued - i.e. before I get any compensation.

The same as when you are researching a financial product. Make sure you understand their terms. Maybe contact two or three on the phone to check their terms and make appointments with a couple. It's up to you to find the product most suited to your needs, expectations and circumstances.

Sgt_Pepper_2

rcm75 wrote: »

I was not on the pavement, I was on the side of the road trying to hail a cab. It has hit me with the side.


It certainly didn't stop, but I'm not sure as to whether any charge was brought.
The police has been sending communications to me and my witness with regard to their investigation.
R

So why do you think you have a claim?

Is the coach driver any more liable for your injuries than you are?

rcm75

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

So why do you think you have a claim?

Because of the speeding of the coach and its closeness to the side of the road. I also suspect its lights were not on, as neither me or my witness saw it coming.
Of course I'm not 100% sure, especially considering I don't know the results of the police investigations. That is why also I approached this forum, to ask for clarifications about the process i.e. should I contact the police myself first? Or contact the solicitors and see if they have a preferred course of action for me to follow. I am very new to this process.

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

Is the coach driver any more liable for your injuries than you are?

I think he is.

Sgt_Pepper_2

rcm75 wrote: »

Because of the speeding of the coach and its closeness to the side of the road. I also suspect its lights were not on, as neither me or my witness saw it coming.
Of course I'm not 100% sure, especially considering I don't know the results of the police investigations. That is why also I approached this forum, to ask for clarifications about the process i.e. should I contact the police myself first? Or contact the solicitors and see if they have a preferred course of action for me to follow. I am very new to this process.


I think he is.

If you didn't see him coming how do you know he was speeding?

He had right of way did he not and was on the carriageway.

So why do you feel he is liable?

Had you not been on the road would this have happened?

chanz4

can you prove he was speeding, speed is very hard to prove I can see this saying you must of stepped out

rcm75

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

If you didn't see him coming how do you know he was speeding?

After it hit me my witness saw it carrying on at high speed.

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

He had right of way did he not and was on the carriageway.

I'm not sure with regard to right of way. I was not in the middle of the road. As I said I have not seen the conclusion that the police came to with regard to the accident, so I'm not 100% on culpability at this stage. Only impressions.

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

So why do you feel he is liable?

As I said:
"Because of the speeding of the coach and its closeness to the side of the road. I also suspect its lights were not on, as neither me or my witness saw it coming."

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

Had you not been on the road would this have happened?

No, but I don't understand the reasoning. You can say this of any situation: if you hadn't been there, it wouldn't have happened.

rcm75

chanz4 wrote: »

can you prove he was speeding, speed is very hard to prove I can see this saying you must of stepped out

Only through my witness.
I have not seen the police report, so I'm not sure whether they have been able to ascertain that independently.