Car Accident Compensation...

[whiskeysheri]

I had a bad car crash on Monday when my car was written off. Since then I've had a few phone calls from different companies asking me if I would like to claim for my injuries.

I've got whiplash to my neck and back and I also have burst blood vessels and slight nerve damage in my legs (I didn't ask the doctor if it was permanent- I'm a bit all over the place).

Does anyone have any experience of claiming with these companies and could you recommend one?

Is it really 'no fee'? I'm not sure how they work.

Thanks in advance x

[Ethel]

First of all, try and avoid these ambulance chasers if at all possible. They are not doing it because they care about you.

Have you got legal expenses on your motor insurance? If so, they will put you in touch with a solicitor and things will be done properly.

Check your house insurance too - some policies allow this sort of claim.

But you have plenty of time to find a solicitor. The immediate thing to do is make a comprehensive record of the accident itself and the immediate effects to yourself.

Then keep a diary of all appointments, symptoms, pain and discomfort, no matter how slight it seems at the time.

Disturbed sleep, nervy, depression....? Write everything down.

Time off work, travel costs to appointments, prescription costs ...every little thing. Keep receipts.

Keep copies of all correspondence.

Sorry if this all seems overwhelming. It is necessary and could save you many many hours in future.

Good luck with it all, and I hope you have a quick recovery.

[antzog]

The 'no win, no fee' arrangement that many solicitors offer works two ways: If you win you get the money from the losing side and they will pay your solicitors. If you lose however you won't have to pay your solicitors but you WILL have to pay the costs of the winning side.

Good luck!

[Ethel]

Further to antzog, even with no win no fee, you will have to pay your own costs such as medical records access, court costs, x-rays...the list could be endless. If you don't win.

It is only the solicitors fees that you don't pay.

Just be very aware that they recover there costs from these no win no fee arrangements by inflating there costs when they do win. The other side should pay, but the courts have been clamping down on awarding unreasonable costs.

[gammaray]

You can claim for personal injury through your own insurance company.

[Miss Zippy]

Further to antzog�s answer, whilst under a �no-win, no-fee� arrangement you are still responsible for the other side�s costs should they win, insurance would be in place to pay for this. It is a condition of entering into a no win no fee contract that this insurance is taken out. Under such an arrangement, you still have to bear the costs of disbursements, such as medical reports etc.

If, however, you do have legal expenses cover with your motor insurance, then your best course would be to use the solicitors recommended by your insurance company. Your insurance company will then bear all costs and disbursements. Don�t go for one of these accident claim companies: you will receive a very impersonal service and they deal in such volumes that they are not necessarily interested in getting the best settlement for you. They like to see cases settled and closed as quickly as possible so that they can get their costs in.

[Ethel]

gammaray - you can only pursue a claim for personal injuries through your insurance company if you have legal expenses included.

This is usually an optional extra.

[themas]

If you don't have legal expenses cover on your insurance you should be able to find a solicitor from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers - www.apil.com

They are specialists in this field.

[erimus1]

Hi, sorry to hear about your accident - hope you have a quick recovery. I may well reiterate some previous points, but I will try and clarify and correct some others that have been made.

First thing you should do is check with your insurers to see if they will allocate solicitors for you - not always necessary that you had legal cover to be represented if the accident was not your faullt.

If this can't be done, don't contact a PI firm, contact solicitors who have a goof personal injury department. Negligence (which is what the basis of all thes claims are made) is an area in the law of Tort - very easy to prove, which is why so many of these rip-off firms exist.

The difficult part in these cases is the quantum for damages. To assist, keep a diary of your injuries and costs (no matter how small).

If its black and white - the other party's insurers may admit liability at an early stage. Either way, as far as costs are concerned. Losing does not automatically mean you pay costs - this is and additional court order. As far as firms saying they do not take any money from your compensation - this is because they apply for an additional order of costs.

This process is very long.
Good luck with your endevours - any specific questions, then please ask.
Steve

[whiskeysheri]

Thanks for all your response and concern. It'll definitely help me and I believe you about it being a lengthy process! Thanks againx