Cycling Accident Injury Claim

hatnezmaturestudent

Hi all,


directly -Vs- No win no fee firms


I was hit by car while cycling on 29 Aug. Driver admitted fault at scene said, "I didn't see you". Police notified. I have sustained two major graze wounds that are infected. I'm on 2-week course of antibiotics. I go to my DRs practice to have dressings changed. I've had 4 days off work and likely to have another two weeks.


Drivers insurance company - LV - contacted me and were very pleasant (they would be). They wanted to know if I was making injury claim. I said I was. They asked whether I'd make claim directly through them or whether I use solicitors. they've sent me their procedures that seem quite straight forward.

any views?

InsideInsurance

Based on what you say its unlikely that its going to make it above £1,000 for injury or £10,000 for property damage so fairly likely to remain a small track (aka small claims court) case in which case no win no fee solicitors wont touch it unless they think they can overstate your injury sufficiently to get it into the fast track

Have you checked if your Home insurance has Legal Expenses cover? If it does then they are fairly likely to provide representation but make it 10,000% clear you were knocked off your push bike before you get a call centre agent saying that car accidents are excluded.

OnanTheBarbarian

General damages of this claim is worth more than £1k all day long and it is too early to tell if the infections will sort out properly and there will not be any permanent scarring or other complications, so I would resist the urge to cut a deal with the insurers just yet.

If you involve a solicitor, make sure they don't charge a "success fee" under the no-win no-fee arrangement in the event you are unable to get any representation under a legal expenses policy you may have.

hatnezmaturestudent

Thanks, you've helped me decide. I'll do it directly and see how it goes. I can always change back to solicitors if things don't go well.

InsideInsurance

hatnezmaturestudent wrote: »

I have sustained two major graze wounds

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

General damages of this claim is worth more than £1k all day long

Ok, I admit I miss read major for minor but still sounds that claims costs continue to spiral out of control if grazing, with or without a secondary infection, is more than £1k

OnanTheBarbarian

The insurers will throw a £1500 pre-med offer at the OP, I'd place good money on that.

An injury to a female with major grazing and infected wounds requiring medication, repeat visits to GP for dressing changes and also 2 weeks off work, plus the likely recovery time for the wounds to fully heal and hopefully with no long-lasting cosmetic defecit, £1k would be the absolute bottom line.

Claims costs spiralling out of control, have you been working with the ABI spin doctors? :rotfl:

InsideInsurance

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

The insurers will throw a £1500 pre-med offer at the OP, I'd place good money on that.

Arguably an irrelevance to what the injury is worth. Most pre-med offers are fairly standard and whilst I am sure you'd say they are low balling it at least occasionally the basic 1 injury 2 week prognosis type matrix will generate OTT offers. Offers are normally non-binding and so couldnt be used to try and push it up into a higher track in the courts.

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

An injury to a female with major grazing and infected wounds requiring medication, repeat visits to GP for dressing changes and also 2 weeks off work, plus the likely recovery time for the wounds to fully heal and hopefully with no long-lasting cosmetic defecit, £1k would be the absolute bottom line.

My reading really is getting worse, saw 4 days off work and 2 weeks antibiotics but not another 2 weeks off work.

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

Claims costs spiralling out of control, have you been working with the ABI spin doctors? :rotfl:

No, I've been spending my time with the PRA, ACPR, KNF and OSFI as of late. Now theyre a bunch of guys and gals that know how to have fun :rotfl:

hatnezmaturestudent

What I forgot to say was that due to injuries, I walk with severe limp and likely to for some time. As I said, I will initially go along with LV directly and see how things go. Thanks,

OnanTheBarbarian

In light of the updated info, I would honestly seek out a lawyer, but one who won't take a cut of the winnings.

This will most likely be achieved if you have some form of legal protection insurance on your household policy, or if you are a union member etc.

Google no deduction from your compensation as a few come up that say they do not deduct a success fee.