Got hit by a car - how to claim for injuries?

Hannah4518

My mum was riding a bicycle on a roundabout and got hit by a car - leaving her in hospital with a hand injury and she had to take time off work. The driver was at fault and he was apologetic at the scene for not paying attention.

His insurance company then contacted her and asked if she wanted to make a claim. She wasn't going to initially but her hand hasn't recovered, so now she would like to start the claims process.

Any advice on where she should begin please?

Should she find a "no win no fee" lawyer or speak directly to the driver's insurance company? If she needs a lawyer, what's the best way of finding a decent one? Her insurance covers for legal costs so not sure if this means we don't need a no win no fee deal.

Thanks in advance

Aretnap

A no win no fee type deal will mean paying a proportion (up to a quarter) of any compensation she receives to the solicitors. If she has insurance that covers legal expenses (eg through her home insurance, it a trade union) then there will be no fee win or lose (assuming they are that she has a reasonable chance of winning the case). So that should be her first port of call.

AdrianC

Hannah4518 wrote: »

My mum was riding a bicycle on a roundabout and got hit by a car - leaving her in hospital with a hand injury and she had to take time off work. The driver was at fault and he was apologetic at the scene for not paying attention.

His insurance company then contacted her and asked if she wanted to make a claim. She wasn't going to initially but her hand hasn't recovered, so now she would like to start the claims process.

Any advice on where she should begin please?

Should she find a "no win no fee" lawyer or speak directly to the driver's insurance company?

His insurer! Keep it simple. They've accepted liability, so don't waste money on middlemen.

Mistral001

Why not just go to a local solicitor who handles these matters. Not a no-win-no fee solicitor. You can get a quote from the solicitor before you engage them. Not getting professional advice on a legal matter like this, runs the risk of you not getting very high compensation.

Hannah4518

Thanks for everyone's replies!

I will get my mum to call the local branch of Slater & Gordon as they seem to deal with injury claims and see what they say.

jaybeetoo

They are no-win-no-fee lawyers. Why go to them?

comeandgo

Use a proper solicitor, not no win no fee. You only use no win no fee if your case is not strong. Your mothers is water tight.

Potbellypig

Hannah4518 wrote: »

My mum was riding a bicycle on a roundabout and got hit by a car - leaving her in hospital with a hand injury and she had to take time off work. The driver was at fault and he was apologetic at the scene for not paying attention.

His insurance company then contacted her and asked if she wanted to make a claim. She wasn't going to initially but her hand hasn't recovered, so now she would like to start the claims process.

Any advice on where she should begin please?

Should she find a "no win no fee" lawyer or speak directly to the driver's insurance company? If she needs a lawyer, what's the best way of finding a decent one? Her insurance covers for legal costs so not sure if this means we don't need a no win no fee deal.

Thanks in advance

Is the car ok?

Hannah4518

jaybeetoo wrote: »

They are no-win-no-fee lawyers. Why go to them?

comeandgo wrote: »

Use a proper solicitor, not no win no fee. You only use no win no fee if your case is not strong. Your mothers is water tight.

Ah I thought Slater & Gordon were good solicitors because I see them everywhere. Any recommendations for a better one?

Ectophile

AdrianC wrote: »

His insurer! Keep it simple. They've accepted liability, so don't waste money on middlemen.

That sounds like terrible advice to me.


The other party's insurer will offer a low sum of money in "full and final settlement". If OP's mum accepts that, then it will be the end of the claim, even if she has complications later on.


Much better to get specialist advice from someone who understands injury law.