Injury after car accident.

Somniac

My husband had a car accident 2 weeks ago. The other party admitted liability and their insurance compensated us for the car which was written off. The other driver pulled out right in front of him from a side road. I believe she looked the wrong way for oncoming traffic.

So far, so good ish.

The other driver was unhurt and her husband had another car for her to use.

We did not. My husband has 2 fractures in his right hand which has disabled him considerably although hopefully temporarily. We are retired so no loss of income.

We are thinking about another car but he will not be able to drive it for some time. He has an allotment which he now cannot work. I am not in good health but am stepping up to do the things at home that he used to but now cannot.

I suppose I am asking if anyone thinks it is worth pursuing a personal injury claim. Our insurance only covered loss of limb etc.

Thoughts please?

Brie

Definitely contact them about this or have your own insurance contact them on your behalf. Doctor's reports will likely be required (may be available on the NHS Online app) as well as perhaps a letter specifically for the insurance from the doctor to give a prognosis and outline the disadvantages this is causing to your lives. If you don't drive then potentially they should provide some compensation for taking taxis or public transport. If you do drive then they should be providing a car to enable you to get about and look at what cars might be suitable for you in the future. My opinion at least.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657503/injury-after-car-accident

Yes he need to pursue the other driver, he have 3 years to do this.
He would be claiming general damages  (pain, suffering, and loss of amenity) & special damages (financial) as he is not working financial would be such things as cost of going to appointments, a gardener if he is currently unable to manage it himself the same if you needed a cleaner.

eschaton

Certainly make a claim for any injuries and costs.

I did so against 3rd party insurer after a non fault claim 10 years ago.

I dealt with them direct so they repaired my car and hired a car for me during repairs for 2 months. They also paid out for injuries including physio and every single out of pocket expense. That included travel expenses for the physio down to the roll of brown tape I bought to help keep my car watertight before repairs.

Somniac

Thank you for your replies. All good advice. A lot to think about. I have the xray report and the discharge from A&E. They did pay for a car but only until we got the payout.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657503/injury-after-car-accident

Personal Accident embedded in your policy will only cover major injuries but do you have legal expenses on your policy? If you do then they would appoint someone to assist with making an injury claim.

Alternatively you can either tell the third party insurer directly or go through https://www.officialinjuryclaim.org.uk which is a governmental site to assist people making a claim without the use of a solicitor.

General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenities (PSLA) is there precisely to compensate for the general pain and the non-financial impact its had on life like not being able to do your hobbies. PSLA is a common head of claim but its value cannot be ascertained until medical experts are willing to give a long term prognosis with no material uncertainty. If you recover normal use after 3 months gets a very different payout to someone who'll not have normal use for the rest of their life.

Somniac

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81905783#Comment_81905783

Thank you for this. Very helpful. I will check out the govt website.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81905787#Comment_81905787

As a portal its fine, it guides you through the process and automatically deals with the third party insurer for you. Its not that great a read though and in my opinion could do with more basic guides

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81905787#Comment_81905787

Don't rush into anything, as recovery is still unknown at this time, as above if you have legal cover that's the 1st port of call.