[Boon]

hi
sorry for not being too active on the forums just lately, but my son has been knocked off his scooter by a female who lost control of her car, knocked him down a ditch, and he has now a severe broken leg, a scooter in a million pieces, and he may not be able to work for a year, due to a metal rod being inserted down the length of his leg, and he has also just had a skin graft too.
The police will not give me any details of the woman, just an incident No., but i have been advised by a few people to contact a No Win No Fee solicitor, in search of compensation for damage done, would this be the right approach, or shall i just leave it to the insurance companies to sort it??
any help would be appreciated.
TIA

[Gandhi]

I'm very sorry to hear about that mate. I've had an accident with a man on a bike in the past so I know the results can be pretty horrific (I was not to blame by the way. I was rear-ended by a speeding lunatic. SMIDSY?) AFAIK you have 3 years from the date from the accident to claim for injuries. This is especially pertinent in your sons case as you do not yet know the extent of the long term effects of his injuries. I know and understand that you probably want to go find this woman and give her a piece of your mind (so to speak) and no self respecting father would want to do any less. That's why the authorities wont release details of invoved parties. I know that it's hard at the moment but it's best left to your insurance company to sort out in the meantime, not to say that you can't be on the phone to them every 5 mins hassling them though

[CT]

Sorry to hear this Steve.

A lot depends on whether the police are pursuing any offence against this woman or not. If they are, then any insurance claim is likely to go on hold pending the result of the police case. A conviction wont do your son's case any harm. Similarly any civil proceedings you might want to take will be after the result of any police case is known.

It's early days yet to know what the long term implications are for your lad in lasting ill-effects, loss of earnings etc. - all factors which will affect any claim he might want to subsequently make.

Lots of solicitors offer 20 mins to half an hour of advice for a very modest fee, and it may be adviseable to take that route ASAP for guidance, but I'd be wary of getting a solicitor on the payroll too early if were you.

[Matty]

sorry to hear that Steve

i would agree with CT, get a proper solicitor, not ambulancechasersDirect...

[Gary Bagshawe]

Hi there, Very sorry to hear about the accident. As you probably know I had one back in May and broke 10 bones and had all the metal work etc, problem I had was driver did not stop, so I have nothing.
In this case I would certainly get onto a solicitor asap.
A lot of the ones you see on tv are a bit w### to be honest, I don't know wether or not you have a contact number for a company called Irwin Mitchel,
If you can find one near to you I would highly reccomend them.
They are like bull terriers in this sort of claim and most companies just pay out, such is there reputation.
Anyway good luck and if I can be of any more help pm me.

[Fangman]

Sorry to hear about the accident. I would recommend that you get a report from his specialist early of the injuries to keep on file and do contact a solicitor, I know they will cost but it is too important to leave. Do not settle early as you have no idea what the long tem effects will be. Regarding information from the Police - perhaps a quick call to Citizens Advice might clear what your rights are. Have you contacted your own "household Insurers" there might be something in that?
I have had to write reports on facial damage and treatment for a good many victims and I am sorry to say it can go on for years, but good advice is essential. Use a reputable local firm and steer clear of the Quick buck "have you had an accident brigade". Invistigate Gary's suggestion BUT TAKE ADVICE SOON.

[Boon]

Thanks guys, some good and sound advice there, and i will definately consider acting on some of it.
my son was only one of the accidents that morning by this woman ( whom i spoke to at the accident, felt sorry for her) she hit and wrote off a 1.2 Corsa in front of him, and pushed it down the ditch, then sideswiped my son, and then she left the road, went across the ditch and into the hedge backwards. My son phoned me from the ditch, i went to his aide, and on to the hospital with him, but have not seen the other victims since.
anyway guys, sorry to waffle on, and thank you for the information.

[Fangman]

Try and trace the other victims and get names of witnesses whilst things are still fresh. The insurers are buggers and you will need everything recorded and do not let go. As well as injuries it will bee loss of earnings etc. If he hobbles back to work too soon they will just deduct. I've been involved with the paperwork as a specialist witness so know what the get up to!

[CriPPle]

Sorry to hear this

I had a big accident on a bike a couple of years ago and all the Police gave me was the drivers name and car registration details. (They should at least give you this, how are you supposed to make an insurance claim without it.)

If you have legal cover with the insurance company they will sort out a solicitor for you. Like others have said don't use the one's off the TV they are pretty c**p.

If you're interested I have used two firms in the last few years (had 2 years unlucky motorcycling) and found them both to be very good..........Silverbeck Rymer and Corries Solicitors, both were very efficient and sorted it out pretty quickly.

I would say though due to the injurys don't expect any sort of compensation for at least a year.

Anyway I hope he feels better soon and the experience of one moron who it sounds like shouldn't be on the road doesn't get him down too much.

[barrymoir]

Oh jeez, so sorry to hear pal, i know one guy with no insurance, mot, license etc that was hit by a mobility bus, he had his leg stuck together with metal rod etc, and he got 16k for it, his was done via the compensation board im sure.

[Boon]

hi guys
went to see my son again tonight, he's doing fine, hoping to have him out by this weekend, although he will be on crutches for 3 months.
i have had 3 calls from different legal companies regarding his accident and claiming, where do they get their information from, i have never heard of these companies, and how come they know more than i do about it.
anyway, feeling so much better now.
cheers guys

[Arkady]

They have schills in A+E who pass on the info for a small retainer...

If I was a 20 year-old nurse (steady you lot!) working for peanuts, I wouldn't think twice if I was made an offer like that...

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Boon

i have had 3 calls from different legal companies regarding his accident and claiming, where do they get their information from, i have never heard of these companies, and how come they know more than i do about it.
anyway, feeling so much better now.
cheers guys

That would be enough for me to not employ any of those companies. I hate cold calling at the best of times but I am sure they would wish they had not contacted me under those circumstances.

Glad to hear that your son is on the mend

[SammyC]

Mate, he looks like a strong lad who'll shrug this off no trouble. Just make sure he gets good treatment and concentrates on his leg whilst you worry about the compo