Injured in car accident / personal injury claim query

Happy_bunny

Firstly sorry for the length - thought it best to explain in full for the best response.

In July last year I was hit, whilst parked, by another driver - very straight forward - admitted fault straight away & exchanged details.

Damage : Just some minor panel damage, bumper needed replacement and painting.

The worse part was that I was pushed around the car by the force of the impact - severe bruising, ligament damage and general cuts and scrapes.

On reporting to my insurers they sorted everything in one phone call - Courtesy car, my damage repaired within days and a personal injury claim - through their own claims people (DB-Legal)

Since the personal injury claim was made - Early Aug '13 I have had a full medical report completed by an independent doctor - paid for by DB and allowed my medical records to be viewed/accessed as part of the claim along with seeing my own GP and NHS physio.

I feel like I'm getting nowhere - I regularly phone DB, Almost no contact from themselves. They tell me the same spiel each time 'case being reviewed' or 'awaiting other party response' despite several letters at the beginning of May '13 stating "the case was on final review with the other party and should be settled forthwith."

Since the beginning of July I have phoned at least twice a week, left several messages and, this week, emailed the person holding my account - the email was given by the receptionist who was appalled that my messages weren't being replied to!

Is there anything I can do to 'force' the issue? I've thought about maybe asking to transfer the claim to another company - would that be possible?

Frankly fed up of having to chase them (at 7p a minute!) to listen to some uplifting Bolero music!

Any thoughts? advice?

Quentin

If you need some money now ask them about getting an interim payment for you.

ROY47

Damage : Just some minor panel damage, bumper needed replacement and painting.

The worse part was that I was pushed around the car by the force of the impact - severe bruising, ligament damage and general cuts and scrapes.

sorry got to say it after those words "Just some minor panel damage,"

doesn't sound like you were pushed around the car with severe bruising

Maybe the insurance company are questioning the personal injury ?

Happy_bunny

ROY47 wrote: »

doesn't sound like you were pushed around the car with severe bruising

Maybe the insurance company are questioning the personal injury ?

The car was hit fairly hard, by a large 4x4. The damage was minimal and as I was parked, without a seatbelt, it jolted me around.

As the tread states - was apparently being finalised but nothing since?

sh0597

I'm not sure what you expect to receive for getting a few bruises to be honest.

OnanTheBarbarian

Why don't the judgmental fools keep their comments to themselves. The member has asked for advice on his situation with the problems with the law firm, not forensic analysis of whether he could have been injured.

To the OP, there will be a complaints procedure within the client care letter you will have received in the initial pack from DB Legal, alternatively just email the main man there http://www.db-legal.co.uk/dean-bartlett/ and tell him that his poor service has lead to a thread on a rather well viewed social media site. There will most likely be some action that follows.

You can of course instruct an alternative firm to take over conduct, but I would give a formal complaint / heads up to the main director a chance first as a change of law firm on a fairly standard RTA claim which is progressing through the claims portal can be a bit of a headache.

InsideInsurance

Solicitors have complaints processes, normally involving one of the senior partners. In the documents they gave you at the beginning of the claim there should be their process outlined and you should follow that.

Given your insurers instructed the solicitors you can also raise your complaint to them and get it attacked from two angles.

chanz4

sh0597 wrote: »

I'm not sure what you expect to receive for getting a few bruises to be honest.

Some people druel over cash, also its become the norm for people to claim no matter what. Peeps forget that you have to declair injury when they renew also

TBagpuss

Pu a written complaint in to the company dealing with it.

Be as specific as you can - i.e. "I was told in May 2013 that my case was on final review and should be 'settled forthwith" (if you still have the letter, refer to is "I was told in a letter from [ref] dated [date] that

"

"Since that time, I have had not further updates to let me know the position with the case or when I may expect it to be settled and to recieve any compensation due to me. I have telephoned the office on a number of occassions, most recently on [date] seeking an update, and ahave also e-mailed. I have not been able to speak with the person dealing with my case [who is understand is Name]. I have not had any response to the messages I left nor have I recived a reply to my emails."

Then say what you want them to do - e.g. I would like you to provide me, in writing, with details of the current position with regard to my claim, the reason for the delay of over 16 months since I was told that the matter was about to settle, details of what is still left to do and how long this should take. In light of the complete breakdown of trust in [name] due to his/her failure to communicate with me or to respond to my enquiries I also wish the case to be transferred to a different individual and for that person to contact me directly to let me know what is happeneing.

As you have a premium rate line it has cost me [cost] so far to try to elicit answers and as this has only been necessary due to your failures to respond promptly or at all when I contact you I would ask that you refund those expenses to me"

If you do not get a response then you may be able to make a compliant via the Legal Ombudsman - read their website for how (and when) you can do this,

ROY47

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

Why don't the judgmental fools keep their comments to themselves.

I take that as a comment towards me ?

Because this judgmental fool reads what the person says ... Just some minor panel damage ....

but then says ....

The car was hit fairly hard, by a large 4x4. The damage was minimal and as I was parked, without a seatbelt, it jolted me around.

SORRY but if you are hit fairly hard by a 4x4 you would have more damage than .. just some minor panel damage



or is it a case of

where there is a blame there is a claim ?

I am only trying to understand how someone can be hit fairly hard by a 4x4 , their vehicle suffers only minor damage , but they were jolted around their vehicle

Sorry again but I smell a rat !

Like it or lump it I say what I see

Happy_bunny

ROY47 wrote: »

Just some minor panel damage ....

but then says ....

The car was hit fairly hard, by a large 4x4. The damage was minimal and as I was parked, without a seatbelt, it jolted me around.

SORRY but if you are hit fairly hard by a 4x4 you would have more damage than .. just some minor panel damage



or is it a case of

where there is a blame there is a claim ?

Sorry but the damage to the car being minor is subjective - it was minor enough to be repaired but not damaged enough to write the car off - happy with that?!

It was enough to cause me to damage ligaments in my wrist and arm - causing me long term - even till now, pain. Hospital treatment involving surgery, some time off work and loads of expense and time used in getting myself physio

So YES! there is blame - a driver too interested in his CD player to see the large red car he's about to collide with and YES there is a claim - why should i be out of pocket AND injured for someone else's poor driving?!

I do hope this satisfies your idle curiosity and need to find fault with a genuine request for help and information!

Many thanks other posters - will draft a letter of complaint and get it sent off!