Axe1986 wrote:Hi Guys,
I was hit by a car coming off a motorway junction on Thursday this week, typical cycling accident, bike is written off, and so is my right hand side of my body, head and neck. My first priority is recovery but while I'm off work id like to get my claim in motion, the problem is there are so many places and so many horror stories, does anyone have any positive feedback for claims companies? Who to use? Who not to use? My main requirement is the replacement of my bike and gear. Personal injury is a back seat thing, but i will pursue it because I'm genuinely in some serious pain. The CTC number has put me through to Slater & Gordon, who i have spoken to and they want to represent the claim, but i don't want to rush into bed with the first people i talk to, i have seen BIKELINE online but can't find any recent feedback for them.
Im lucky and thankful to even be posting on here asking these questions, so any help is massively appreciated.
Thanks all
Sorry to hear about your accident, I hope you make a full and speedy recovery.
As a victim of a crash too I can give you the following advice and also tell you about Slater & Gordon as they have acquired the firm Pannone which had been managing my claim until the takeover.
In order of priority, do the following things:
1 - see a GP and list all your symptoms, however minor. Even psychological symptoms if you have any. This will go on your medical file and will be relevant later on.
2 - keep a receipt for absolutely everything. If you take public transport to see a doctor, get a receipt for that. If you've missed time off work, get your employer to confirm it represents x amount of loss to you. If you get your bike repaired, again keep a receipt. Did I mention you should keep a receipt for everything? Keep a receipt. If you buy medecine, what are you going to do? keep the receipt. Put them all in a folder in chronological order.
3 - if you haven't done so yet, phone the police to report the crash.
4 - keep a pain diary. Make entries in it every day.
I note that you say your priority is to get your claim in motion, but I'd disagree. First is your health, and although your injury is 'back seat' for now, your symptoms may get worse before they get better, especially if you have whiplash which can take several days to reach its peak.
Therefore see a doc, get treatment and keep track of everything you are doing and document it with evidence.
Now, onto the claim. Slater & Gordon will no doubt offer you a no win no fee agreement, which is recommended as it means you won't have to spend a penny and get to keep all your compensation if you win. My experience with the firm I originally instructed (which later got taken over by S&G) was not great and I still haven't received full compensation despite the accident being 2 years ago and the Defendant having admitted full liability.
This is because instructing medical experts, obtaining your medical records and the general hassle of trying to get someone to speak to all add up to make these things long and slow. It'll likely be done all remotely and you'll never meet your lawyers face to face. In some ways I regret not having shopped around more because it is frustrating not being able to meet lawyers and case handlers in person. I would have probably gone for a smaller firm, still on a no win no fee basis, had I been more careful. These big firms treat thousands of claims like this and it's pretty much a factory - you'll be another number to them.