This is not me touting for business I assure you, but a genuine and serious question.
If you were involved in a non fault crash and were injured as a result, do you feel that the level of compensation was appropriate to the injuries you sustained?
And do you feel that your case was handled properly, or did you feel that you were simply a number on a conveyor belt with the intention of getting you through the system as quickly as possible so that your legal representative could get paid and they could move onto the next case.
I ask, because I am getting more and more people contacting me telling me that they have been offered X amount a few months after their crash, and the amount being offered is disproportionate to their injuries, or it is so that a quick settlement can be made, is there anything that can be done?
As a result, cases are being re-opened with a view to taking out professional negligence cases against some firms, and the level of compensation increased.
So I am interested to find out if this is something that is limited to just a few or if it is wider spread.
If you have been injured in a crash, can I ask a question?
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flatlander
- Eprom Test Pilot (Stig)
- Posts: 3097
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:06 pm
- Location: cheshire
As an unfortunately multiple claimant I can honestly say that service is lousy and yes if I could I would like to go back and revisit claims if I could. I also have one currently that is a prime example which I happy to share
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
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TC
How long ago? It may still be possible to go back and revisit.flatlander wrote:As an unfortunately multiple claimant I can honestly say that service is lousy and yes if I could I would like to go back and revisit claims if I could. I also have one currently that is a prime example which I happy to share
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Willopotomas
- GP Racer
- Posts: 2256
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:11 pm
- Location: Coventry, ENGLAND
Mine was 6 1/2 years ago. Legal representation was virtually non-existent and I received a grand total of £0. Ok, I should have pushed it more, but at the time I wasn't working and just 'doing my thing' so it didn't matter so much. I filled out the relevant forms, sent off police reports etc only for them to tell me they didn't get it. Other life changing events took place that year and it was put on the back burner.. Which is where it's remained. I fixed the bike for less than £100, just wish I could do the same with my ankle at times. Eh well.
Different life and a different person now. Kids do that to ye.
Different life and a different person now. Kids do that to ye.
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handle bars to the saddle.
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Falcopops
- GP Racer
- Posts: 2530
- Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:00 pm
- Location: Back to sweating in the tropics
- Main bike: Still loving the Falco
I T boned a blke on a scooter a good while back in London.
I was filtering down the outside of 3 lanes of traffic at a red signal. He came out of a filling station throught the entrance only part, wiggled across the three lanes and opooed out right in front of me. He was looking to his left for oncoming traffic so he could make his right turn, all I saw was the back of his helmet before I creamed him.
I did a full superman and landed in a heap and royally screwed up my back and had a few bruises from hitting the road.
He was prosecuted for careless or reckless I don't recall and his insurers took full blame after a 70-30 offer was robuslty declined.
My insurers were pretty hopeless and were little or no added value.
I prepared my own claim with receipts from Chiropractors, taxis I needed to use to get to the train station when I had difficulty walking and since my travel time was doubled, a bill for my own time at my hourly rate. Since my contract of employment specifically stated that overtime was paid at normal rates I used that to justify my claim.
My insurers reckoned that this wouldn't fly and passed on the claim without the time element, which I didn't realise until I got a pretty crappy offer in return. Whe I found out I was a little peeved and really got up them told them to send all the info unaltered unless changes were agreed by me.
I eventually got an offer that I took, about 75% of my total claim IIRC
My experience was that I was just another number and they did very little without significant prompting. Then what they did seemed to be in the interests of insurance companies as a whole, not their clients.
TBH I often wonder why I bother paying my premiums.
I was filtering down the outside of 3 lanes of traffic at a red signal. He came out of a filling station throught the entrance only part, wiggled across the three lanes and opooed out right in front of me. He was looking to his left for oncoming traffic so he could make his right turn, all I saw was the back of his helmet before I creamed him.
I did a full superman and landed in a heap and royally screwed up my back and had a few bruises from hitting the road.
He was prosecuted for careless or reckless I don't recall and his insurers took full blame after a 70-30 offer was robuslty declined.
My insurers were pretty hopeless and were little or no added value.
I prepared my own claim with receipts from Chiropractors, taxis I needed to use to get to the train station when I had difficulty walking and since my travel time was doubled, a bill for my own time at my hourly rate. Since my contract of employment specifically stated that overtime was paid at normal rates I used that to justify my claim.
My insurers reckoned that this wouldn't fly and passed on the claim without the time element, which I didn't realise until I got a pretty crappy offer in return. Whe I found out I was a little peeved and really got up them told them to send all the info unaltered unless changes were agreed by me.
I eventually got an offer that I took, about 75% of my total claim IIRC
My experience was that I was just another number and they did very little without significant prompting. Then what they did seemed to be in the interests of insurance companies as a whole, not their clients.
TBH I often wonder why I bother paying my premiums.
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TC
Thanks for sharing your accounts, I do appreciate it.
I can understand where you are all coming from because I had the same experience. My case was settled for £2,500 despite the fact that it left me with a permanent disability as the figure I should have received should have been nearer £300,000 not £2,500.
I don't know if you are aware, but despite the fact that for many your cases have been closed, in cases where you were rushed through the system or the level of compensation was disproportionate to the level of injury sustained, or you still have ongoing problems, then you may well have a case for professional negligence against the solicitors that represented you (or should I say failed to represent you).
The good news is that the time frame for such actions (statute of limitations) is 6 years from date of knowledge which for most will be the date that they received their final settlement even though their injuries may have occurred several years before not the normal 3 years from date of injury which applies to the actual injury side of any claim.
So if your claim was settled in the last 6 years, then you may still be able to re-open your case.
And, it will not cost anything to get the case reviewed, and it will cost nothing if it is thought that there is a case to answer.
Just some food for thought, and you are welcome to PM me if you would like to discuss further.
I can understand where you are all coming from because I had the same experience. My case was settled for £2,500 despite the fact that it left me with a permanent disability as the figure I should have received should have been nearer £300,000 not £2,500.
I don't know if you are aware, but despite the fact that for many your cases have been closed, in cases where you were rushed through the system or the level of compensation was disproportionate to the level of injury sustained, or you still have ongoing problems, then you may well have a case for professional negligence against the solicitors that represented you (or should I say failed to represent you).
The good news is that the time frame for such actions (statute of limitations) is 6 years from date of knowledge which for most will be the date that they received their final settlement even though their injuries may have occurred several years before not the normal 3 years from date of injury which applies to the actual injury side of any claim.
So if your claim was settled in the last 6 years, then you may still be able to re-open your case.
And, it will not cost anything to get the case reviewed, and it will cost nothing if it is thought that there is a case to answer.
Just some food for thought, and you are welcome to PM me if you would like to discuss further.
Was knocked off my bike about 5 years ago with a smashed foot, broken leg and a lot of skin grafts. I received a significant amount in compensation but most of that money was to do with jobs I can no longer do ( work up a ladder, decorate, dig the garden) thanks to the injury, and compensation for pain and discomfort was small because of legal scales of so much per leg etc. I'd rather have a fully functioning leg back but that isnt an option.
I used the solicitor paid for by my legal costs insurance - he was competent but not inspiring. However my job before retirement involved a lot of contract work and negotiation at chief exec level so I had both the education and skills to be able to frame the claim and to ensure it was sensibly negotiated. The payment was 50% of the claim but then that was anticipated from the beginning - there was nothing I could not justify in the initial claim but I made sure it included everything I could justify if you see what I mean. The end result was fair to both sides.
I wasnt unhappy with the way the system worked. But I can imagine that if you arent used to fighting your corner in a legalistic contract type environment, you wont necessarily be well looked after - you certainly cannot leave it up to the claims people to get you a fair deal.
I used the solicitor paid for by my legal costs insurance - he was competent but not inspiring. However my job before retirement involved a lot of contract work and negotiation at chief exec level so I had both the education and skills to be able to frame the claim and to ensure it was sensibly negotiated. The payment was 50% of the claim but then that was anticipated from the beginning - there was nothing I could not justify in the initial claim but I made sure it included everything I could justify if you see what I mean. The end result was fair to both sides.
I wasnt unhappy with the way the system worked. But I can imagine that if you arent used to fighting your corner in a legalistic contract type environment, you wont necessarily be well looked after - you certainly cannot leave it up to the claims people to get you a fair deal.