Sods_Laur
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Birmingham
That is not true, no witnesses stuck around for my crash and my solicitor was more than happy to take on my case.
Hit by a car, worth contact other party insurer for minor injuries?
- Thread starter rliu
- Start date
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I was involved in a minor accident a few years ago which sounds similar in damage levels to that in your report. Damage to clothing, shoes etc. The rear wheel of my bike was pringled and I had a few bruises and grazes to my body - but only minor.
I got a report from my LBS on the condition of my bike - they stated that the frame had been bent also and I would need a new frame ie. bike.
I reported it to the police and visited my GP to make sure there would be no long term effects but also to make sure the injuries were documented. Take photos of your injuries as well.
I contacted the drivers insurer direct and he had already been in touch with them.There initial reaction was to question why I thought their client was responsible. This is only to be expected and obviously involved a letter to them explaining what happened which they seemed to accept. There were no independent witnesses to this accident, but I guess the driver had admitted responsibility to them. He effectively drove in to the back of me when he failed to give way to me at a T junction on a RH bend so unless he claimed he wasn't actually there, then it was obviously his fault.
The initial offer from the insurer was to reduce my estimates of damage by various %s for part worn clothing and a six month old bike. I didn't have receipts for some of the clothing but did have one for the bike. When it came to the personal injury side of things they felt my injuries weren't serious enough.
I contacted a solicitor at this point to get a 3rd party view and his advice (free) was that they were talking rubbish and to get back to him if they didn't improve their offer with regards to the injury.
I contacted the insurer again and explained that the choice was a sensible level of compensation for the injury and full compensation for all damaged clothing. I informed them that I had spoken to a solicitor about the case and would go down that route if needed.
The result was full compensation for the cost of all new clothes etc, full cost of brand new replacement bike and an offer for personal injury which was 3x greater than I would have been happy to accept. This was achieved without any further argument.
So it can be done - but be very careful that your injuries are minor and that there are no long term effects. Once you've accepted payment there is no going back.
If you're after maximising your return from this then involve a solicitor, but I was more than happy with the outcome and I'm sure the car drivers insurers saved some money as well by avoiding legal costs.
I got a report from my LBS on the condition of my bike - they stated that the frame had been bent also and I would need a new frame ie. bike.
I reported it to the police and visited my GP to make sure there would be no long term effects but also to make sure the injuries were documented. Take photos of your injuries as well.
I contacted the drivers insurer direct and he had already been in touch with them.There initial reaction was to question why I thought their client was responsible. This is only to be expected and obviously involved a letter to them explaining what happened which they seemed to accept. There were no independent witnesses to this accident, but I guess the driver had admitted responsibility to them. He effectively drove in to the back of me when he failed to give way to me at a T junction on a RH bend so unless he claimed he wasn't actually there, then it was obviously his fault.
The initial offer from the insurer was to reduce my estimates of damage by various %s for part worn clothing and a six month old bike. I didn't have receipts for some of the clothing but did have one for the bike. When it came to the personal injury side of things they felt my injuries weren't serious enough.
I contacted a solicitor at this point to get a 3rd party view and his advice (free) was that they were talking rubbish and to get back to him if they didn't improve their offer with regards to the injury.
I contacted the insurer again and explained that the choice was a sensible level of compensation for the injury and full compensation for all damaged clothing. I informed them that I had spoken to a solicitor about the case and would go down that route if needed.
The result was full compensation for the cost of all new clothes etc, full cost of brand new replacement bike and an offer for personal injury which was 3x greater than I would have been happy to accept. This was achieved without any further argument.
So it can be done - but be very careful that your injuries are minor and that there are no long term effects. Once you've accepted payment there is no going back.
If you're after maximising your return from this then involve a solicitor, but I was more than happy with the outcome and I'm sure the car drivers insurers saved some money as well by avoiding legal costs.
