solicitor or not ?

[ianrauk]

Glenn if she joins CTC now I would think they would only advice her for future accidents and not accidents before the joining date.

After my accident I used a solicitor. Without doubt the best thing I did. The legal system is a maze which can tie you up for ever. It is worth paying a few pounds just to consult a solicitor to see if the case is worth fighting.

Steve

Wrong. They do retrospective cover.

 

[oldroadman]

Wrong. They do retrospective cover.

How bizarre, insuring someone effectively after the event. It's like having a house flood and then going off to buy insurance...I suppose they may offer some legal advice, but why would an organisation spend money when someone joins after an incident - no win no fee tactics.
The I'm a long term BC member (just carried on from my competition days when I had to have a licence), and whenever I have needed any help, they have been brilliant, the lawyers they use really underatsnd what they are at and get very good results.

 

[ianrauk]

How bizarre, insuring someone effectively after the event. It's like having a house flood and then going off to buy insurance...I suppose they may offer some legal advice, but why would an organisation spend money when someone joins after an incident - no win no fee tactics.
The I'm a long term BC member (just carried on from my competition days when I had to have a licence), and whenever I have needed any help, they have been brilliant, the lawyers they use really underatsnd what they are at and get very good results.

• Legal claims advice: CTC members also receive free legal advice and help from our specialist team of lawyers in the event of a claim for damages being made either by you or against you. If you are not a CTC member at the time of the incident, it is still worth contacting the Accident Claims Line for advice on 0844 736 8452 as you may still qualify for help, depending on the circumstances of the crash and on payment of a 5-year commuted membership fee, refundable from the amount of any damages awarded in your favour. Note that Third Party cover cannot be applied retrospectively.

 

[ianrauk]

I also just noticed that for retrospective cover, CTC do now ask for a 5 year membership payment rather then a years membership it used to be.

On an unrelated note, CTC's solicitors Slater & Gordon (formerly Russell Jones & Walker) did a brilliant job with my claim.

 

[Dan B]

Second the S&G recommendation, although the driver in my case eventually decided to settle without my needing to get lawyers involved formally, their advice in the meantime was very helpful

 

[steveindenmark]

Wrong. They do retrospective cover.

Thanks Ian. I was not sure. There cannot be many organisations that do retrospective cover.

If I was in the position of the poster, I would be seeking professional help regards this matter.

I saw your additional post. There is always a catch if you try and get something for nothing.

Steve

 

[Markymark]

I would see it as a small and fair price to pay rather than a catch.

 

[steveindenmark]

Mark, I am not sure what a 5 year membership with CTC costs but it is £41 a year. I don't know if you get discount. The CTC is getting a lot of criticism recently. Personally I would use the £200 to visit a solicitor, rather then tie myself into CTC for 5 years.

Steve

 

[ianrauk]

Mark, I am not sure what a 5 year membership with CTC costs but it is £41 a year. I don't know if you get discount. The CTC is getting a lot of criticism recently. Personally I would use the £200 to visit a solicitor, rather then tie myself into CTC for 5 years.

Steve

The fee is refunded after a positive conclusion.

 

[MattyKo]

hi, I am new here, I am trying to help my friend;
a white van drove into her when she was on her way to work,
police arrived, she was taken to the hospital by an ambulance, she had a cut on her head and was quite bushed about but no permanent injuries,
the bike was damaged and she had to have 4 weeks off work before she was no longer sore, she is self employed and not insured for cycling,
now we are getting facts together to start a claim, she believes we can sort it ourselves without any help from a solicitor, because, she thinks, that the claim is small and the solicitor's fee would swallow most of it,

is she right ?
I have had a look at the forum and read some good info but it seems that the cyclists here do use solicitors to sort their claims out,
what is more beneficial ?
cheers,

I was seriously injured in a road traffic collision and was quickly advised to consult a solicitor to pursue a claim. The only option I had was on a No Win No Fee - a Contingency Fee Arrangement.

It is an obvious traumatic event to be involved in a road traffic collision, and it tells you in no uncertain terms that you day can be seriously and unpleasantly interrupted through no fault of you own, or from your own marginal fault.

My advice is to attempt to resolve the issue without the involvement of a solicitor. However, make sure you maintain an accurate audit trail of all communications between each party, so that a solicitor may be sought at a later date should the other party no wish to resolve the issue on a direct communication basis.

Unfortunately, in the event that you are only able to pursue a claim on a No Win No Fee basis because you lack sufficient money to pay for a solicitors time. You then enter into a financial contract with your solicitor, which can only add to the trauma of the initial accident. I only wished I had saved myself time and pain by suggesting to the other side if they would resolve the matter prior to and without the need for incurring excessive legal expenditure.

 

[classic33]

I was seriously injured in a road traffic collision and was quickly advised to consult a solicitor to pursue a claim. The only option I had was on a No Win No Fee - a Contingency Fee Arrangement.

It is an obvious traumatic event to be involved in a road traffic collision, and it tells you in no uncertain terms that you day can be seriously and unpleasantly interrupted through no fault of you own, or from your own marginal fault.

My advice is to attempt to resolve the issue without the involvement of a solicitor. However, make sure you maintain an accurate audit trail of all communications between each party, so that a solicitor may be sought at a later date should the other party no wish to resolve the issue on a direct communication basis.

Unfortunately, in the event that you are only able to pursue a claim on a No Win No Fee basis because you lack sufficient money to pay for a solicitors time. You then enter into a financial contract with your solicitor, which can only add to the trauma of the initial accident. I only wished I had saved myself time and pain by suggesting to the other side if they would resolve the matter prior to and without the need for incurring excessive legal expenditure.

Trying to get the other party involved in settling the matter without solicitors may not always work.
To many, all bikes cost under £100 and any figure over that may well be met with derision.

 

[Cycleops]

I would contact the drivers insurers in the first instance and see what response you get. Is he being prosecuted? If they put their hands up you can negotiate a settlement with them. The only thing is that a solicitor used to dealing with such claims would know what to aim for. Don't accept the first figure they offer!