Car Insurance Claim

AnnaNewman

Hi, my father started an injury claim with LV= which is going through their solicitors Lyons Davidson. The accident occurred a year ago today 26 Nov 2019. My father is 87 years old and never had an accident before. This is the first claim he has ever done. The solicitors have only just organised for a medical, a year later. The doctor called me but he was extremely rude, condescending, and treated me as if I was simple-minded. so I have asked for another doctor. My father doesn't find it easy to explain and needs someone patient. Anyway, is it usual for an injury claim to take over a year? My father is extremely concerned that it will not complete and he will die before anything happens. Is there anything we can do to expedite it?

Thanks for your help and advice. 

jimbo6977

I take it from the above that:
1. an LV policyholder caused a collision in which your father was injured
2. your father has made a claim against the policyholder, and LV have agreed to deal with this claim on their policyholder's behalf
3. LV have appointed Lyons Davidson solicitors to act for them
4. Lyons Davidson have appointed a doctor to assess your father
5. you have spoken to the doctor (be interesting to know why you spoke to the doctor rather than your father doing so) and you don't like the doctor's attitude (in what way?)

If the above is correct the best way to expedite the claim is for your father to be assessed by the doctor in the first instance. 

AnnaNewman

jimbo6977 said:

I take it from the above that:
1. an LV policyholder caused a collision in which your father was injured
2. your father has made a claim against the policyholder, and LV have agreed to deal with this claim on their policyholder's behalf
3. LV have appointed Lyons Davidson solicitors to act for them
4. Lyons Davidson have appointed a doctor to assess your father
5. you have spoken to the doctor (be interesting to know why you spoke to the doctor rather than your father doing so) and you don't like the doctor's attitude (in what way?)

I am acting on behalf of my father because he is 87 years old and hates phones etc. 
I spoke to the doctor, he was very condescending, shouting constantly and treated me like I knew nothing. 

Ectophile

First thing, never trust a solicitor who is working for someone else. They have no duty to give you good advice.

In this case, I would say the same of the doctor.

If you want somebody working for you (or your father), that's up to you to organise.

RBN20

Can you confirm whether your father is insured with LV and they have passed his injury claim to their solicitors, LD, or is he insured elsewhere and you are claiming against LV? 

jimbo6977

Ectophile said:

First thing, never trust a solicitor who is working for someone else. They have no duty to give you good advice.

In this case, I would say the same of the doctor.

If you want somebody working for you (or your father), that's up to you to organise.

Sure, but it's reasonable that the target of the OP's father's claim would want to appoint a doctor to examine him. 

jimbo6977

AnnaNewman said:

jimbo6977 said:

I take it from the above that:
1. an LV policyholder caused a collision in which your father was injured
2. your father has made a claim against the policyholder, and LV have agreed to deal with this claim on their policyholder's behalf
3. LV have appointed Lyons Davidson solicitors to act for them
4. Lyons Davidson have appointed a doctor to assess your father
5. you have spoken to the doctor (be interesting to know why you spoke to the doctor rather than your father doing so) and you don't like the doctor's attitude (in what way?)

I am acting on behalf of my father because he is 87 years old and hates phones etc. 
I spoke to the doctor, he was very condescending, shouting constantly and treated me like I knew nothing. 

Do you have his written authority to do this and if so are LV and their representatives aware of this?

Sandtree

Injury claims can take years, even without Covid, but many are settled fairly quickly.

It would be helpful if you clarify the circumstances of if your insured with LV or if they are the insurer of the at fault party. Secondly who instructed Lyons Davidson and if they are acting for you or for LV (not whos paying them).

An injury claim basically cannot be settled until either the injury is healed or the prognosis is near as damn it certain else there is too much of your lawyers being pessimistic and saying it’ll go on for decades or the insurance company being optimistic and saying you’ll be right as rain in a few months.

Once the injury is healed or prognosis agreed then you can start assessing the general damages aspect which is the monies to cover pain, suffering, loss of amenities etc (ie the bits that you cannot pin a financial loss on)

What sort of injury was it? Soft tissue/whiplash? Broken bones?

AnnaNewman

RBN20 said:

Can you confirm whether your father is insured with LV and they have passed his injury claim to their solicitors, LD, or is he insured elsewhere and you are claiming against LV? 

He is with LV and Lyons Davidson are his solicitors.
My father has completed the counselling they suggested and was diagnosed with PTSD following the accident. 

AnnaNewman

jimbo6977 said:

Do you have his written authority to do this and if so are LV and their representatives aware of this?

Yes LV and the other insurer along with Premex, his counsellor and Lyons Davidson have all had a copy of the power of attourney. 

AnnaNewman

Sandtree said:

What sort of injury was it? Soft tissue/whiplash? Broken bones?

Bruised Ribs, concussion, whiplash, PTSD, nightmares,nervousness in cars.
The other driver was at fault and reversed into dads car causing him to spin and go through a fence and hit a tree. The other driver admitted fault.