Accident Update

[fossyant]

Just had a call from my solicitors, (British Cycling's) and the third party's insurance are not contesting liability.

That will now mean I can go to a shoulder specialist without worrying about cost - as it's costing me £78 a week in Physio at the moment.

So that's one worry over with - that's not bad - almost 2 months to the day since I was off'ed - pretty quick for most insurers.

 

[benborp]

That is fast! Congratulations, though of course as you say it's not over yet.

 

[wafflycat]

Keep receipts!

 

[fossyant]

Keep receipts!

I have, and copies....solicitor so far has 4, and I've got another 6 to send, at £39 a pop !!!

 

[Will1985]

Good to hear - my case seems to be moving along nicely as well for the same reason.

 

[magnatom]

Sounds good. Let's hope it continues to progress smoothly.

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

Very pleased to hear that - we all make mistakes but it's nice when people actually admit it. Good to be able to get proper medical treatment too. Well done!

V. jealous though - my accident was June 24th last year and they are still only admitting 50% so I have received sod all so far - just stroppy letters from their insurers Solicitors droning on about my supposed crap cycling! Talk about adding insult to injury!!!!

 

[Tynan]

they only admit liability because they know they can't contest it with any hope

but be certain they'll weasel and drag their feet on absolutely everything, my lot did (Elephant) and they're supposed to be 'good'

good luck with it fellas

 

[fossyant]

they only admit liability because they know they can't contest it with any hope

I took high res pics of the incident so it was pretty clear who was at fault, including various photos of my bike lit up (from front/back and side), including pics of my rucksack with the mini lights on......

I fully expect them to contest payments for damage - my bike is pretty old (14 yrs), but very good condition - so I've explained to the solicitor about wear parts being replaced. Most of the bits that were damaged were less than 18 months old, but the saddle and bar ends are as old as the bike.

At least I'll get the physio paid for now !

Driver's View

Accident Scene (taken a week or two later of course)

Bike lit up !!

Rucksack lit up !!!

 

[Bollo]

Wow that's quick. Even with my cam evidence of my accident, the driver's insurers still tried to slow things down a little with claims that I wasn't visible, wasn't wearing a helmet and was probably a predatory paedophile and deserved it.

 

[cheadle hulme]

Good work with the photos. I thought you'd been hit at the next exit for some reason. ie you were coming from Decathlon and the car was coming from the Portwood exit.
Hope the physio is working..

 

[Tynan]

with respect anyone can send in pictures of their bike with lights on, they can discount them if there's no proof that the pictures were before the accident

mine was utterly their fault with loads, LOADS of witnesses clamoring to be helpful/shocked

The 'good' insurers refused to pay for anything I didn't have a receipt for, knocked a third off the price of a two month old bike ('used') and refused to pay for a rack because they didn't know what it was

Granted I didn't ague about that for my own reasons that I can't really post, perhaps they'd have paid eventually

And they waited until the last day (and more) at every single stage of the process, so if they were allowed 2 months to consider their response to a point made by my solicitor, two months it was, and so on

Their way of delaying payment until the last possible moment, mine was a full admission of fault where I argued about nothing they said other than bumping their first offer back

Accident was Sept07 and I got my PI cheque last month, granted I got an interim payment for a new bike in Feb08

Don't want to be a downer, just letting you know what to expect

 

[biking_fox]

Tynan - did the insurers admit liablilty at the outset? I'm hoping that this means they will basically not have a leg to stand on when it comes to costs.

Norwich Union have so far been quite reasonable - NOT taking the full amount of time to respond, and making an interim payment as well.

My driver has been on his 'driver awareness course' and the polic ehave notified me that he attended - which was more reponse from them than I expected. I've just seen the independant medical report, which the solicitors will forward to the insurers for what is hopefully the last stage in the process. Accident Oct. Might see cash Mar or Apr?

 

[Bollo]

Tynan - did the insurers admit liablilty at the outset? I'm hoping that this means they will basically not have a leg to stand on when it comes to costs.

Norwich Union have so far been quite reasonable - NOT taking the full amount of time to respond, and making an interim payment as well.

My driver has been on his 'driver awareness course' and the polic ehave notified me that he attended - which was more response from them than I expected. I've just seen the independant medical report, which the solicitors will forward to the insurers for what is hopefully the last stage in the process. Accident Oct. Might see cash Mar or Apr?

Its good and ethical that his insurers as behaving that way. I've said the same thing on here before, but an insurance claim more like negotiating a business contract or pay rise than a case in a court of law. The driver's insurers will be balancing the cost of settling with the cost of disputing, and their behaviour will be determined by that rather than any appeal to justice or fair play.

 

[fossyant]

For me, the relief is that my solicitor will now get me an appointment with an independent consultant, so that I can find out what's wrong with my shoulder - without them admitting liability, I was faced with either an 18 week NHS wait, or paying out for myself - god knows how much they cost, and what the prescribed treatment will be.... I've already forked out £400 in Physio in the last month !

I fully expect not to see any cash for a while, and can see me being over £1k down on just physio before I get anything.....

PI will be a hell of a long way off.

Ah well.........