Personal Injury Claim - Some guidance for an absolute novice

Woodburygooner

Hey guys,
I was involved in an RTA recently (i was passenger, dad driving, sister in the back) where a lorry went into the back of us on the motorway. My dad reported the accident to his insurer who have subsequently appointed a company called Minster Law to deal with the PI side of things. I have my concerns over using a company appointed by the insurer - surely they use them for a reason i.e. saving money, lower payout etc? We have also received calls from Accident Advice Helpline, who appear to also be some sort of claims people although for the life of me i have no idea how they got our details???

My quesiton is this - would you run with the appointed firm, or is it better to go elsewhere? I'm kinda confused by the whole process!!

AdrianC

Insurers farm cases out to third parties simply because it's easier for them to do so than manage them internally - the same reason any company ever outsources anything.

You don't mention actually being injured. What injuries, how bad? If the collision was recently, you don't want to rush into any kind of settlement, simply because you don't know how long the injuries will last.

foxy-stoat

Woodburygooner said:

My quesiton is this - would you run with the appointed firm, or is it better to go elsewhere? I'm kinda confused by the whole process!!

If his insurers have appointed someone then he probably has uninsured loss legal cover.  If your not happy then appoint your own solicitor, make sure you are aware of the costs and risks to you though.

Good luck and hope you get much money.

AdrianC

foxy-stoat said:

Good luck and hope you get much money.

I don't. Because to get a lot of money, they'd have had to have suffered some severe injuries. And I'd rather they were uninjured, or they only received very minor injuries.

Woodburygooner

AdrianC said:

foxy-stoat said:

Good luck and hope you get much money.

I don't. Because to get a lot of money, they'd have had to have suffered some severe injuries. And I'd rather they were uninjured, or they only received very minor injuries.

To be fair all three of us were incredibly lucky. My dad and sister have some quite nasty whiplash and my back is killing me, but other than that we are ok. 

AdrianC

And that's precisely the kind of injury which you need to monitor over time so as to get a fair payout.

If you're all better in a week, great.
OTOH, I have a friend whose car was rear-ended nearly 20 years ago, while stationary on a motorway sliproad. She still suffers back issues as a demonstrably direct result.

foxy-stoat

AdrianC said:

foxy-stoat said:

Good luck and hope you get much money.

I don't. Because to get a lot of money, they'd have had to have suffered some severe injuries. And I'd rather they were uninjured, or they only received very minor injuries.

Oh me too, if they got whip lash and it lasts a few days then fully recover = £1000+.  I would call that much money for the limited discomfort.

strawb_shortcake

I have a claim going through with minster law, which started in April 2018, they were great to start with but now incredibly slow. I had my last medical in September where I was advised I needed an MRI on my back, still waiting. 
I have life long injuries to my legs, neck and potentially my back. I have no idea what kind of payout I'll get but I don't think it'll in anyway make up for pain and discomfort not mention frequent poor sleep due to my pain in my hips/back.
If your claim is pretty straightforward then you'll be fine otherwise be prepared to chase them  continually, obviously I have nothing to compare this too, we signed up to Minster law whilst I was likely concussed and in shock and probably shouldn't have been making such decisions. 
But such is life and I'd like to think that by the Summer I'll be able to draw a line under this and hopefully move on (well waddle will be more like it)

MEM62

Woodburygooner said:

Hey guys,
I was involved in an RTA recently (i was passenger, dad driving, sister in the back) where a lorry went into the back of us on the motorway. My dad reported the accident to his insurer who have subsequently appointed a company called Minster Law to deal with the PI side of things. I have my concerns over using a company appointed by the insurer - surely they use them for a reason i.e. saving money, lower payout etc? We have also received calls from Accident Advice Helpline, who appear to also be some sort of claims people although for the life of me i have no idea how they got our details???

My quesiton is this - would you run with the appointed firm, or is it better to go elsewhere? I'm kinda confused by the whole process!!

Assuming that your father is not at fault, his insurers will not be paying any award in respect of PI.  Therefore, I fail to understand why you would assume that they are trying to save costs here.  It makes no sense. 
Do not be tempted to go with any of the ambulance chasers that will be calling you for the next umpteen months and beyond.  They are the bottom feeders of the legal world only out for easy cases and a quick buck.  Your insurers recommended legal firm should be OK to deal with.  However, if for some reason you have no faith in them, then you are free to engage you own legal representation but I would suggest you select a proper lawyer over a no-win-no-fee firm.