Knocked over on zebra crossing

paulhgc

Hi a family member was knocked over by a car on a pedestrian crossing a few days ago

A car had stopped to let her cross but a car coming in the opposite direction failed to stop and struck her

She is currently in hospital and will be for a fair few weeks as she sustained a fracture to her spine and a break to her coccyx as well as 2 breaks to her pelvis

Her long term future for returning to her job also looks very slim as the physiotherapists have said it could be 10 months untill she has recovered and even then she will not be able to do a active job that involves lifting

The lady that struck her says she never saw her and was charged by the police with driving without due care and attention

The whole accident was also witnessed by the other vehicle and statements was made

But where does she stand now financially ?
And how can this be sorted out asap as she is in hospital can this be done by a family member

Is she also entitled to any benefits that she can claim asap ?

She has no insurance so will not be able to use a solicitor as she has no money

Her whole world has been turned upside down and to think the lady that struck her can still drive and go to work and earn money makes you think what a mad world hey

Any advice greatly appreciated

surreysaver

Presumably she would claim off the insurer of the driver which hit her

Shaun_of_the_Dead

paulhgc wrote: »

Hi a family member was knocked over by a car on a pedestrian crossing a few days ago

A car had stopped to let her cross but a car coming in the opposite direction failed to stop and struck her

She is currently in hospital and will be for a fair few weeks as she sustained a fracture to her spine and a break to her coccyx as well as 2 breaks to her pelvis

Her long term future for returning to her job also looks very slim as the physiotherapists have said it could be 10 months untill she has recovered and even then she will not be able to do a active job that involves lifting

The lady that struck her says she never saw her and was charged by the police with driving without due care and attention

The whole accident was also witnessed by the other vehicle and statements was made

But where does she stand now financially ?
And how can this be sorted out asap as she is in hospital can this be done by a family member

Is she also entitled to any benefits that she can claim asap ?

She has no insurance so will not be able to use a solicitor as she has no money

Her whole world has been turned upside down and to think the lady that struck her can still drive and go to work and earn money makes you think what a mad world hey

Any advice greatly appreciated

Why would a caring family member want to sort this for her while she was still in hospital?

Accepting a full and final settlement before he long term prognosis is know is just stupid.

Norman_Castle

She may be entitled to benefits which will be repaid from her claim.

No win, no fee lawyers will take her on but finding a good one which will not fleece her is necessary.
Don't agree to any settlement without taking advice.

born_again

And how can this be sorted out asap

No quick fix on this. It will take years.

waamo

She needs to see a solicitor.

paulhgc

Shaun_of_the_Dead wrote: »

Why would a caring family member want to sort this for her while she was still in hospital?

Accepting a full and final settlement before he long term prognosis is know is just stupid.

i agree and worded it wrong and was thinking for her in the short term as her sick pay if she gets any will not last forever

DUTR

paulhgc wrote: »

i agree and worded it wrong and was thinking for her in the short term as her sick pay if she gets any will not last forever

When a colleague got knocked off his bike and was hospitalised, the 3rd party paid his equivalent wages. BUT this was claimed back from the employer.

Shaun_of_the_Dead

paulhgc wrote: »

i agree and worded it wrong and was thinking for her in the short term as her sick pay if she gets any will not last forever

I doubt they'll pay any benefit while she's in hospital, the state are already paying for her food and bed.

Car_54

What the family member can do is to find a decent lawyer to take it on. It may take years to settle (as stated above), but there doesn’t seem to be any dispute about fault so a lawyer should be able to secure interim payments to cover treatment and out of pocket expenses.

Aretnap

paulhgc wrote: »

She has no insurance so will not be able to use a solicitor as she has no money

Lack of money is not a bar to using a solicitor - there will be no shortage of firms offering conditional fee arrangements (no win no fee to you and me) which will not require any up front payment.

She should not attempt to deal with the other driver's insurers herself, or accept any offer of a final settlement until she has had independent legal advice and is sure if her long term prognosis. As above, this should not so her getting interim payments to cover her short term needs - her solicitor will be able to advise on these.