Personal injury claim without a solicitor?
Discussion
Hi all,
Have made several threads recently on related matters and been grateful for the input.
In short, I no longer live in the UK, and was visiting the UK recently when a drunk woman ploughed into my car without braking (liability admitted).
Went to the Dr afterwards suffering pains and other symptoms. A few weeks later still in pain, totally knackered and struggling to cope with day to day life due to pain, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and stress. Went to my local Dr a few days ago who said I need to take it easy so now working reduced hours for a while. He said it could be a while before I fully recover.
So as a result of all of this I am considering putting in a claim for compensation. I'm a bit reluctant to approach a P.I. company as I don't want to just load loads of extra costs on unnecessarily, but at the same time I don't want to screw myself over. Usual advice seems to be, approach a reputable local solicitor. As I'm overseas I don't have one and have no idea of reputable UK ones.
So - can I handle a P.I. claim myself? Can I arrange an independent medical? Or do I need to leave this to the third party insurer? Third party insurer is generally being quite reasonable so far, although we're not yet at the valuation stage for the vehicle. Is putting in a P.I. claim likely to affect my payout for expenses and vehicle valuation? I've been mulling over the idea of calling Irwin Mitchell. I've read some horror stories but more positive feedback re. them than most big P.I. companies.
Any thoughts gratefully welcome, from a sore Benz0.
Have made several threads recently on related matters and been grateful for the input.
In short, I no longer live in the UK, and was visiting the UK recently when a drunk woman ploughed into my car without braking (liability admitted).
Went to the Dr afterwards suffering pains and other symptoms. A few weeks later still in pain, totally knackered and struggling to cope with day to day life due to pain, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and stress. Went to my local Dr a few days ago who said I need to take it easy so now working reduced hours for a while. He said it could be a while before I fully recover.
So as a result of all of this I am considering putting in a claim for compensation. I'm a bit reluctant to approach a P.I. company as I don't want to just load loads of extra costs on unnecessarily, but at the same time I don't want to screw myself over. Usual advice seems to be, approach a reputable local solicitor. As I'm overseas I don't have one and have no idea of reputable UK ones.
So - can I handle a P.I. claim myself? Can I arrange an independent medical? Or do I need to leave this to the third party insurer? Third party insurer is generally being quite reasonable so far, although we're not yet at the valuation stage for the vehicle. Is putting in a P.I. claim likely to affect my payout for expenses and vehicle valuation? I've been mulling over the idea of calling Irwin Mitchell. I've read some horror stories but more positive feedback re. them than most big P.I. companies.
Any thoughts gratefully welcome, from a sore Benz0.
benz0 said:
Hi all,
Have made several threads recently on related matters and been grateful for the input.
In short, I no longer live in the UK, and was visiting the UK recently when a drunk woman ploughed into my car without braking (liability admitted).
Went to the Dr afterwards suffering pains and other symptoms. A few weeks later still in pain, totally knackered and struggling to cope with day to day life due to pain, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and stress. Went to my local Dr a few days ago who said I need to take it easy so now working reduced hours for a while. He said it could be a while before I fully recover.
So as a result of all of this I am considering putting in a claim for compensation. I'm a bit reluctant to approach a P.I. company as I don't want to just load loads of extra costs on unnecessarily, but at the same time I don't want to screw myself over. Usual advice seems to be, approach a reputable local solicitor. As I'm overseas I don't have one and have no idea of reputable UK ones.
So - can I handle a P.I. claim myself? Can I arrange an independent medical? Or do I need to leave this to the third party insurer? Third party insurer is generally being quite reasonable so far, although we're not yet at the valuation stage for the vehicle. Is putting in a P.I. claim likely to affect my payout for expenses and vehicle valuation? I've been mulling over the idea of calling Irwin Mitchell. I've read some horror stories but more positive feedback re. them than most big P.I. companies.
Any thoughts gratefully welcome, from a sore Benz0.
"A few weeks later still in pain, totally knackered and struggling to cope with day to day life due to pain, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and stress."Have made several threads recently on related matters and been grateful for the input.
In short, I no longer live in the UK, and was visiting the UK recently when a drunk woman ploughed into my car without braking (liability admitted).
Went to the Dr afterwards suffering pains and other symptoms. A few weeks later still in pain, totally knackered and struggling to cope with day to day life due to pain, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and stress. Went to my local Dr a few days ago who said I need to take it easy so now working reduced hours for a while. He said it could be a while before I fully recover.
So as a result of all of this I am considering putting in a claim for compensation. I'm a bit reluctant to approach a P.I. company as I don't want to just load loads of extra costs on unnecessarily, but at the same time I don't want to screw myself over. Usual advice seems to be, approach a reputable local solicitor. As I'm overseas I don't have one and have no idea of reputable UK ones.
So - can I handle a P.I. claim myself? Can I arrange an independent medical? Or do I need to leave this to the third party insurer? Third party insurer is generally being quite reasonable so far, although we're not yet at the valuation stage for the vehicle. Is putting in a P.I. claim likely to affect my payout for expenses and vehicle valuation? I've been mulling over the idea of calling Irwin Mitchell. I've read some horror stories but more positive feedback re. them than most big P.I. companies.
Any thoughts gratefully welcome, from a sore Benz0.
Yet you feel you might be able to pursue a claim yourself?
Motivated by the possibility of compo? What's your insurer saying?
REALIST123 said:
"A few weeks later still in pain, totally knackered and struggling to cope with day to day life due to pain, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and stress."
Yet you feel you might be able to pursue a claim yourself? Motivated by the possibility of compo?
What's your insurer saying?
Well I'm handling all other aspects of the claim myself. I don't see an alternative. The whole thing has been a lot of stress that I could do without right now. Struggling to cope with work, family life and getting the claim for my vehicle and expenses all sorted. What I'm wondering is if engaging a solicitor will open up a whole new bigger can of worms when it might be easier dealing direct with their insurer.Yet you feel you might be able to pursue a claim yourself?
Motivated by the possibility of compo? What's your insurer saying?
My insurer is not involved. They recovered the vehicle but that's it.
What is your actual loss or is this purely to hope for 'pain and suffering'?
I had an severe accident at work back in May. Clients property. Fall down steps into cellar and broke my shoulder. No 'fault', just bad luck. i.e an accident. Others had already gone down the steps before me and did so without incident.
Many in my immediate family said I should claim. Claim what? Taxi fares to hospital...yes. Gardener to keep the garden under control.....yes. Cost of pain killer for many weeks....yes. Now struggling to think of anything else. Despite being self employed my business didn't suffer as I was able to work from home for 4 weeks. No claim there then.
You can keep options open for a claim for three years before you need to register an actual claim. Keep a record of ACTUAL out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident. The car will be sorted out by your car insurers, obv, so don't bother adding that as the insurers will need to be informed if you do eventually make a claim as they may wish to add their own claim as part of yours.
Unless you have a reasonably high financial loss due to the accident then there may be no reason to claim, unless you are hoping for a big payout on the 'pain and suffering' platform?
I had an severe accident at work back in May. Clients property. Fall down steps into cellar and broke my shoulder. No 'fault', just bad luck. i.e an accident. Others had already gone down the steps before me and did so without incident.
Many in my immediate family said I should claim. Claim what? Taxi fares to hospital...yes. Gardener to keep the garden under control.....yes. Cost of pain killer for many weeks....yes. Now struggling to think of anything else. Despite being self employed my business didn't suffer as I was able to work from home for 4 weeks. No claim there then.
You can keep options open for a claim for three years before you need to register an actual claim. Keep a record of ACTUAL out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident. The car will be sorted out by your car insurers, obv, so don't bother adding that as the insurers will need to be informed if you do eventually make a claim as they may wish to add their own claim as part of yours.
Unless you have a reasonably high financial loss due to the accident then there may be no reason to claim, unless you are hoping for a big payout on the 'pain and suffering' platform?
Firstly, I realise there are hundreds of "ambulance chasing" firms around. Avoid those.
My son was involved in a bad motorcycle crash around eight years ago, his claim was handled by this (genuine) firm local to me, they were absolutely first class. Didn't cost my son a penny, he received a near six figure settlement.
https://www.mulderrigs.co.uk/
When I saw the amount of paperwork involved, I was staggered, a pile thicker than five old telephone books, it did drag on three years, but fortunately the car driver admitted full responsibility so that made things easier.
I have no connection whatsoever with this company, but would advise you may be taking on a lot more paperwork than you realise, trying to do it yourself. especially from overseas.
My son was involved in a bad motorcycle crash around eight years ago, his claim was handled by this (genuine) firm local to me, they were absolutely first class. Didn't cost my son a penny, he received a near six figure settlement.
https://www.mulderrigs.co.uk/
When I saw the amount of paperwork involved, I was staggered, a pile thicker than five old telephone books, it did drag on three years, but fortunately the car driver admitted full responsibility so that made things easier.
I have no connection whatsoever with this company, but would advise you may be taking on a lot more paperwork than you realise, trying to do it yourself. especially from overseas.
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