Hi all,
I was involved in an accident in London in April 2016 and am seeking some advice in regards to my ongoing claim.
A car drove into me from the back while I was stationary at a junction at a red light, within the bicycle designated area (the accident was caught on traffic CCTV). While at first all I experienced was back and neck pain, after 2-3 weeks I woke up one morning with reduced sensation of most of my left leg, and hardly any of my left ankle and foot. I lost the ability to flex and properly control my ankle which resulted in a 'foot-drop'. Things remained this way for about 5-6 months, before I gradually started regaining sensation, however the foot-drop and lacking ankle control pretty much remained as they were (possibly a minor improvement, but not one which changes functionality). I've been to numerous neurologists, specialists and tests, they found minor nerve damage, however there is still no conclusive diagnosis as to why the foot drop persists. I've also undergone physiotherapy but no improvement. I can walk ok, but with a slight limp and a foot-drop.
Now, I have a history of depression, but at the time of the accident I was managing it pretty well and doing fine. One of the main factors in improving and sustaining my mental health was sports - I've joined a basketball team 2 years prior to the accident and have been training/competing 2-4 times a week. Aside from keeping active, I very much benefitted from the structure it provided me with and the social aspect - I made new friends and personal connections which I was very much lacking while being depressed. You could say it was break through in managing my depression and has significantly changed my quality of life. Needless to say - after the accident it all had to stop as I couldn't run/jump in a safe manner.
This has led to a deterioration in my mental health. I became severely depressed (with all that comes with it, including suicidal thoughts etc) and withdrew back into isolation. They had to supplement my medication and unfortunately I'm back in the care system. It's now 1.5 years later and I'm still trying to break out of this situation and pick my life back up, but anyone familiar with mental health issues would understand it's not that easy unfortunately.
**I do not suffer from PTSD, however.
I wasn't working at the time of the accident, I've been in receipt of benefits. But when it seemed I was doing well and the potential of getting back into employment was tangible, that has now diminished drastically. I'm struggling.
The accident wasn't catastrophic, there were no broken bones or hospitalisation, and physically I can pretty much lead a normal life - albeit with a minor limp, a foot-drop. However, it did change my life dramatically and sent me spiralling down mental-health wise.
**both my medical and mental-health undergoing are well recorded/documented.
I understand my circumstances are somewhere in the grey zone when it comes to compensation, it's also the first time I've had to deal with solicitors or insurance claims (when the accident happened all I wanted was my bike fixed, it didn't even occur to me to go down this route. It's only when the driver refused to pay the repair bill - a mere £150 - that I realised I should take legal action), so I'd really appreciate any advice.
My solicitors have informed me they've received a Part 36 offer from the driver's insurers of £15,000. This is the first offer made (about a year into the claim the defendant admitted liability and I received £1000 towards any future compensation). I was explained by my solicitors that should I refuse the offer, and the final compensation sum is equal or lower than the offer, I may be liable for both my legal costs (currently 'no win no fee') and the defendant's as well.
Can anyone please give me some advice regarding what would be a reasonable compensation sum in my circumstances? I'm pretty clueless. I have no intention of being greedy or milking this to the max, I just want what I deserve. But again, I don't have any reference for these sort of things.
I admit I felt it should be more, but I may be mistaking. I'm also wary of the possibility of having to pay legal costs if I refuse the offer and end up with the equal/lower sum as that will leave me with nothing. Does anyone have any experience or advice about this juncture?
Thanks in advance, any input would be much appreciated.
Joe (35yo)
I was involved in an accident in London in April 2016 and am seeking some advice in regards to my ongoing claim.
A car drove into me from the back while I was stationary at a junction at a red light, within the bicycle designated area (the accident was caught on traffic CCTV). While at first all I experienced was back and neck pain, after 2-3 weeks I woke up one morning with reduced sensation of most of my left leg, and hardly any of my left ankle and foot. I lost the ability to flex and properly control my ankle which resulted in a 'foot-drop'. Things remained this way for about 5-6 months, before I gradually started regaining sensation, however the foot-drop and lacking ankle control pretty much remained as they were (possibly a minor improvement, but not one which changes functionality). I've been to numerous neurologists, specialists and tests, they found minor nerve damage, however there is still no conclusive diagnosis as to why the foot drop persists. I've also undergone physiotherapy but no improvement. I can walk ok, but with a slight limp and a foot-drop.
Now, I have a history of depression, but at the time of the accident I was managing it pretty well and doing fine. One of the main factors in improving and sustaining my mental health was sports - I've joined a basketball team 2 years prior to the accident and have been training/competing 2-4 times a week. Aside from keeping active, I very much benefitted from the structure it provided me with and the social aspect - I made new friends and personal connections which I was very much lacking while being depressed. You could say it was break through in managing my depression and has significantly changed my quality of life. Needless to say - after the accident it all had to stop as I couldn't run/jump in a safe manner.
This has led to a deterioration in my mental health. I became severely depressed (with all that comes with it, including suicidal thoughts etc) and withdrew back into isolation. They had to supplement my medication and unfortunately I'm back in the care system. It's now 1.5 years later and I'm still trying to break out of this situation and pick my life back up, but anyone familiar with mental health issues would understand it's not that easy unfortunately.
**I do not suffer from PTSD, however.
I wasn't working at the time of the accident, I've been in receipt of benefits. But when it seemed I was doing well and the potential of getting back into employment was tangible, that has now diminished drastically. I'm struggling.
The accident wasn't catastrophic, there were no broken bones or hospitalisation, and physically I can pretty much lead a normal life - albeit with a minor limp, a foot-drop. However, it did change my life dramatically and sent me spiralling down mental-health wise.
**both my medical and mental-health undergoing are well recorded/documented.
I understand my circumstances are somewhere in the grey zone when it comes to compensation, it's also the first time I've had to deal with solicitors or insurance claims (when the accident happened all I wanted was my bike fixed, it didn't even occur to me to go down this route. It's only when the driver refused to pay the repair bill - a mere £150 - that I realised I should take legal action), so I'd really appreciate any advice.
My solicitors have informed me they've received a Part 36 offer from the driver's insurers of £15,000. This is the first offer made (about a year into the claim the defendant admitted liability and I received £1000 towards any future compensation). I was explained by my solicitors that should I refuse the offer, and the final compensation sum is equal or lower than the offer, I may be liable for both my legal costs (currently 'no win no fee') and the defendant's as well.
Can anyone please give me some advice regarding what would be a reasonable compensation sum in my circumstances? I'm pretty clueless. I have no intention of being greedy or milking this to the max, I just want what I deserve. But again, I don't have any reference for these sort of things.
I admit I felt it should be more, but I may be mistaking. I'm also wary of the possibility of having to pay legal costs if I refuse the offer and end up with the equal/lower sum as that will leave me with nothing. Does anyone have any experience or advice about this juncture?
Thanks in advance, any input would be much appreciated.
Joe (35yo)
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