Pothole claim solicitor

Hi 
having had our claim against national highways rejected for the damage caused by a pothole to our car we are now considering using a solicitor to make a claim on our behalf . Am wondering if anyone else has made a successful claim with the help of a solicitor? 
If so who do you recommend?
Thanks in advance 

Comments

  • Mark_d
    Mark_d Posts: 2,257 Forumite
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    From what I can see, solicitors would only get involved if there was something serious to contest - such as personal injury.  If your claim was rejected because your evidence doesn't prove the case, then I think it's unlikely a solicitor would get a different outcome.
  • cw8825
    cw8825 Posts: 559 Forumite
    500 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    It’s very hard for there to be a successful claim for pothole damage. 

    Most solicitors will only take on a case with a reasonable chance of success (over 50%)

    you will need to prove they were aware of the pothole and have then ignored their own procedures and timescales for repairing said pothole. 
  • Nobbie1967
    Nobbie1967 Posts: 1,652 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    How much are you claiming? What reason did they give for rejecting your claim? 
  • Car_54
    Car_54 Posts: 8,768 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I too can't see how a solicitor would help. However, I also can't see why they would refuse to take the case, provided they advised the client appropriately.
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 17,597 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Hi 
    having had our claim against national highways rejected for the damage caused by a pothole to our car we are now considering using a solicitor to make a claim on our behalf . Am wondering if anyone else has made a successful claim with the help of a solicitor? 
    If so who do you recommend?
    Thanks in advance 
    Unless the damage to the vehicle was over £10,000 its a small track case and so solicitors costs cannot be claimed so you'll be paying them their £300-£600/hr out of your own pocket. 

    cw8825 said:
    It’s very hard for there to be a successful claim for pothole damage. 

    Most solicitors will only take on a case with a reasonable chance of success (over 50%)

    you will need to prove they were aware of the pothole and have then ignored their own procedures and timescales for repairing said pothole. 
    You are thinking of conditional funding agreements (aka no win, no fee) which is limited to that level of success because of the ATE Insurance they buy. 

    Plenty of solicitors will work on more remote cases than 51% but they'll require you to pay them for their time rather than using conditional funding. Given its small track then no fees can be recovered from the other side so the OP would need reasonably deep pockets and accept that the recovery, if there is one, is highly likely to be less than the advice fees he now owes.
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