Cycle accident claim - choosing a company?

eddidaz

I was knocked off my bike by a car the other night. Their fault, they stopped and helped. We swapped details and I reported it to the police.

No major injuries after being checked out but I'm still a bit worried about my back so would like some physio and my bike needs repairing, and I don't think I should have to pay for either.

Should I talk to one of these no-win no-fee claims companies? Or a local solicitor? Any other advice?

Keep_pedalling

No, the first thing to do is contact the drivers insurance company to lodge a claim for the damage to your bike, and any loss of earnings you may be suffering.

If it turns out you have also suffered long term health problems then you may be able to make a further claim, but using ambulance chasers should be a last resort. You may be able to use legal services through your home insurance, or via a trade union if you are in one, as neither of those options will end up taking a large chunk of any compensation your might receive.

Have you actually seen a doctor yet?

csgohan4

Be careful with exaggeration of injuries as the insurers will challenge and will use covert surveillance. Claimed and shamed series is a good watch. But of course claim what you are entitled to such as your bike.

If you have no injuries yet and none in the future then there is no need to claim on that aspect.

The no win no fee solicitors are a scam. If you lose you don't pay your side's fees, but you are liable for the defendants fees.

OnanTheBarbarian

csgohan4 wrote: »

The no win no fee solicitors are a scam. If you lose you don't pay your side's fees, but you are liable for the defendants fees.

Rubbish.

The only time you are liable for your opponent's costs if you are represented under a no win no fee agreement is:

1- You fail to beat a Part 36 offer
2- Your claim is found to be "fundamentally dishonest"

Otherwise you are protected by "qualified one-way costs shifting"

dacouch

Be careful about dealing direct with the third party Insurers for your injury claim.

Their tactics is often to offer an amount very early on to close the case that may or may not be sufficient. This is generally done without a medical check, the check may reveal your injuries could last longer than expected, which could mean a higher payout and / or paid for medical treatment to treat the symptons.

You may find your Home Insurance includes legal cover or a cycling club or union may include legal cover which often means no deduction from your compensation

Nasqueron

British Cycling use Slater Gordon, not a recommendation, just a fact. If you are in BC you can use their free legal cover.

eddidaz

I was contacted by the driver's insurance today who asked for details of my injuries, bike damage, etc. and made me a compensation offer that I accepted there and then, simple.

Dangermac

I see from your earlier post that you are worried about your back.

Given your level of concern, do you think it was wise to accept a personal injury compensation offer after such a short period? Surely, you must be really worried that your injury will be prolonged?

You seem to think that this was a simple process, but if your worry for your back and need for physiotherapy is genuine, I am amazed that you have accepted this offer so hastily.

Interesting...

teddysmum

I was contacted by the insurers of the person who shunted my car. They settled on the price for the car within days, but are happy to wait for my personal injury investigation to progress.


They didn't push at all for a deal, except to ask if I needed physio, which they would fund and are willing to wait for the outcome of consulting a specialist, who is dealing with a pre-existing condition, which has been made worse. (He's actually found a problem I wasn't aware of).


My son knows the owner of a claims management company, so he will get me an idea of what they would claim, then I can go back to the insurer to see what they offer. This would be less than the CM company would want, but would be effectively more due to the large commission taken.

OnanTheBarbarian

How are you going to value your injury claim when the insurers come to make an offer down the line?