Accident Advice Wanted (Please!)



Tony Raven wrote:

> In the case of cycling accidents far better to go through the Small
> Claims track unless the damages are significant. Despite what the
> insurance company solicitors will tell you they cannot claim their
> costs off you and each side bears its own cost. You are also
> expected to represent yourself in Court, not use a solicitor. The
> big satisfaction when I did that was not only did I get my money but
> the insurance company probably paid out at least ten times as much in
> their legal costs and would have done so whether I won or lost.


I don't understand how you can use the Court until you have asked for what
you want from the defendant or insurers and not got it. Isn't it supposed
to be the last resort?

~PB
 
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Tony Raven wrote:
>
> > In the case of cycling accidents far better to go through the Small
> > Claims track unless the damages are significant. Despite what the
> > insurance company solicitors will tell you they cannot claim their
> > costs off you and each side bears its own cost. You are also
> > expected to represent yourself in Court, not use a solicitor. The
> > big satisfaction when I did that was not only did I get my money but
> > the insurance company probably paid out at least ten times as much in
> > their legal costs and would have done so whether I won or lost.

>
> I don't understand how you can use the Court until you have asked for what
> you want from the defendant or insurers and not got it. Isn't it supposed
> to be the last resort?
>


You can go to Court at any time but its probably best to leave it for a
round of communication or two and then inform them that unless they are
prepared to settle on more realistic terms you will initiate Court
action. Filing the forms with MoneyClaim Online takes but a few minutes
and a credit card to do.

--
Tony

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has
taken place"
George Bernard Shaw
 
In article <[email protected]>, Tony Raven
[email protected]lid says...
> In article <24949fb9-5847-4794-b033-
> [email protected]>, [email protected]
> says...
> > On 28 Nov, 11:26, Tony Raven <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >
> > > In the case of cycling accidents far better to go through the Small
> > > Claims track unless the damages are significant. Despite what the
> > > insurance company solicitors will tell you they cannot claim their costs
> > > off you and each side bears its own cost. You are also expected to
> > > represent yourself in Court, not use a solicitor. The big satisfaction
> > > when I did that was not only did I get my money but the insurance
> > > company probably paid out at least ten times as much in their legal
> > > costs and would have done so whether I won or lost.
> > >

> >
> > Is that for claims up to £1000?
> >

>
> I think its £5k these days
>

I doubt that will be enough to cover the OP's claim.
 
On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:31:06 +0000, John Latter <[email protected]>
wrote:


>
>Is "No win, no fee" my only option or can I make a claim direct to the
>driver's insurance company?
>
>I'm woefully ignorant about this kind of thing and would appreciate
>any help.
>
>I'm really going to miss my daily cycle rides :(


Sorry to hear about your accident. A mate of mine used Cycleaid and
recommended them to me in the event that I need to use them. They're
no win no fee and claim to specialise in bike accidents:

http://www.cycleaid.co.uk/site/home/

FWIW they advise keeping a "recovery diary" as it can take a long time
to sort out personal injury claims.
 
"Rob Morley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> I doubt that will be enough to cover the OP's claim.


Yep, sounds like £10k+ to me, very nasty! Abouut 5 years ago I got £2.5k
for basic bruising & sprained arm, no actual fractures or damage to bike,
but the OP's sounds much worse.