Road Traffic Advice Bureau - Friend or Foe?

Ruby_Lewis

Hello,

I am new to this site and hope you don't mind me asking for some advice....

I was involved in a car accident (or RTC as it is called now) yesterday. I was stationery, in a traffic jam and then another driver, three cars back, ran into the back of a car which then shunted into another car which then hit my car.

I called the Police and statements were taken. They advised me to speak to my insurance provider within 24 hours, which I did this morning. They informed me that the driver who did not brake / did not brake in time appeared to be under the influence of alcohol; he was arrested and taken to the station.

I reported some neck pain at the time of the accident and was seen at A&E last night; they said I have injuries consistent with whiplash.

Today I spoke with my insurance provider and they have arranged for my car to be taken to the garage to be repaired. They said that due to my injury, they would put me through to their in-house legal service for advice.

I spoke to their in-house legal team who sent me paperwork to complete and sign, which gives them permission to act on my behalf. They are a "no win - no fee" company.

Later on today I received a telephone call from an organisation called 'The Road Traffic Advice Bureau' (01513630081). I spoke to a man; he said that they were working on behalf of the Law Society and were an independent organisation.

They seemed to be offering me independent advice, stating that lots of in-house solicitors have their own agenda and could be linked to the other driver's insurance company. He listed the name of a number of in-house solicitors, including the one linked to my insurance company, and warned me away from them.

He gave me some advice and suggestions around making a claim and making sure I was looked after etc. He then recommended three solicitor firms who they felt would be most suited for rear end collision claims for non-fault parties. He said he could refer me on or I could contact them directly.

Whilst this could be genuine, I feel worried and so I e-mailed the Law Society about the Bureau and am waiting to hear back. I have also e-mailed Citizens Advice Bureau.

I wanted to see whether this was a genuine service as I have not heard of them before. It seems too good to be true.

If anyone could confirm or sign post me to someone who can, it would be most appreciated.

Thank you!

p.s - I do not even know if I want to make a personal injury claim as I feel quite overwhelmed and still am in shock as this is my first ever car accident.

Herzlos

That certainly *sounds* suspicious. Good on you for investigating it.

straighttalker

Taking each point one by one, it seems you've been involved in a three cart shunt. You've been at the head of affairs where the car behind has been shunted into the back of yours by the car at fault. It's good that the Police attended as they must have a record of all the drivers involved and in their view, the driver of the vehicle at the rear of the accident is at fault. Ultimately, your insurer and you will be claiming from his insurer.

It sounds as though your insurer will deal with your repairs and then look to recover their outlay from the at fault insurer.

You then have your own uninsured losses to claim back. These can be your excess, any out of pocket expenses ie taxi fares whilst your vehicle is off the road and also damages for personal injury. You have two options in this respect. You can either go with the in house lawyers who have been appointed by your insurers or go with another company ie the Road Traffic Advice Bureau. These guys will have got your contact details from either the recovery agents, your insurers or the repairing garage. They will probably trying to get you to go with them with respect to claiming for your uninsured losses and personal injury and will be making money from referring your claim onto solicitors or car hire companies. They probably are legitimate but some claims companies are better than others. It maybe best if you go on a recommendation.

byjimini

Well firstly, glad you're ok (minus the whiplash!).

I would be very suspicious of unsolicited calls, especially since there's money to be made in insurance claims. I'd have thought the CAB would clear up the confusion, though hopefully someone will be along soon with more advice.

straighttalker

Also, 0151 number. There are a lot of dodgy claims companies in Liverpool. Allegedly.

Herzlos

Searching google for "The Road Traffic Advice Bureau" or the phone number only yield this page and a few dozen "who called me" entries.

If they were legitimate they'd (a) have an internet presence and (b) wouldn't be cold calling.

Babbawah

Souns like your insewerer has sold you as a potential lead to an accident management Co'.

Why not appoint your own choice of accident management Co'?

Although finding one will be a minefield on the basis that your type of claim coul be worth up to £1500 in referral commision alone !

BTW. Your claim is against the car that hit you, the one directly behind you and NOT the car that instigated the RTC.

straighttalker

Why would the claim be against the car behind the OP?

Babbawah

straighttalker wrote: »

Why would the claim be against the car behind the OP?

Because that's the car that they had an RTC with . . . . duh !

Aretnap

Working on behalf of the Law Society? The Law Society is a professional body which represents solicitors. I won't claim to know about all the aspects of their work, but I'm fairly sure that they don't hire people to cold call accident victims.

As a general rule I'd also be suspicious of any company whose name seems to imply that they enjoy greater official status/authority than they actually do, such as "The Road Traffic Advice Bureau".

Spicy_McHaggis

Babbawah wrote: »

Because that's the car that they had an RTC with . . . . duh !

So they'll pay out why?