Compensation Advice

Jamie89

Hi, I could use a bit of advice. I don't know much about this.

Last year. I was in a car accident that was not my fault. It was a low speed collision. Nobody was injured and I did not claim to be injured. For months the guy who hit me tried to wriggle out of it, knowing it was fully his fault. Eventually I won the case and was reimbursed for the damages to my car (around £900). Since then every now and then I get calls from companies telling me they are going to send forms/come to my house etc asking for details, telling me I am entitled money for various reasons such as neck injuries etc.

I explain to them it was a very stressful time since I didn't know if i would win the case or lose money, the matter is resolved and I want to just forget about it rather than digging it all up again.

The most recent caller told me that the money is already there and just needs claiming otherwise it will go back to my insurance company. He said its only a 2 minute form to fill in, with no risk etc. I couldn't fully comprehend him. Im very skeptical and I just need some advice.

Has my insurance company got extra money from the third party's insurer? am I entitled to it and they didn't tell me?

Or are these calls just trying to get my details for market research? I understand these companies are trying to get a cut.

Or are these companies actually just trying to get me to start a new claim through some legal loophole.

Its just a mess. There is no transparency. I want to tell them to just leave me alone but if theres substantial money that I am entitled to. I don't feel like I am. I don't want to falsely claim injuries etc.

What should I do. I told him to call me back.

I would really appreciate some advice
Thanks!

rs65

Jamie89 wrote: »

Has my insurance company got extra money from the third party's insurer? am I entitled to it and they didn't tell me?

No.

I get these calls all the time and I've not had an accident.

If you had no injuries, you are not due anything.

Quentin

They are "ambulance chasers" who have got your details either by chance through cold calling, or by way of your insurer/garage/policeman involved etc, any of who may get a bung for passing on details of innocent parties in a rta who they can try and get compensation for off the third party for injury.

If you want to try it go for it, but if you truly suffered no injury/stress etc, then it's your call whether or not to go along with this!

chanz4

"Nobody was injured " , if a claim was made it would be fraud on your part

Jamie89

Thanks. Thats what I thought.

Crazy_Jamie

Quentin wrote: »

They are "ambulance chasers" who have got your details either by chance through cold calling, or by way of your insurer/garage/policeman involved etc, any of who may get a bung for passing on details of innocent parties in a rta who they can try and get compensation for off the third party for injury.

Possibly, but it sounds to me like this is pushing into 'scam' territory. The distinction should be drawn between legitimate companies who can properly represent someone in personal injury litigation, and companies that are simply attempting to scam people using the guise of personal injury litigation. The former can be involved in cold calling but do not tend to use the 'money is already set aside' line because that is patently not true. Those that do cold call are invariably claims management companies, and there is no good reason to instruct one of those in any event.

The bottom line really is this. If you are injured and wish to make a personal injury claim, you should instruct a solicitor on your own terms. The companies that cold call in this way are not solicitors. The best case scenario is that they are legitimate claims management companies, but even that is not always the case. The worse case scenario is that they are individuals seeking to scam you. The latter seems more likely here simply because these people have lied to you in confirming that money has been set aside.

But ultimately, you have not been injured, and therefore claiming for a fictitious injury would be fraud. So regardless of who is calling you, you should be rebutting their advances without hesitation.