Had a Bike accdent

[Jan Coombes]

I got knocked off my motorbike a week ago.

A woman at a set of red lights decided she did not want to wait for them to change before she turned right so drove into the side of me.

I kept the bike up right but I think I broke toe doing so a suppected broken wrist (going for a x-ray today)

and general bumps (feels like I had a bad game of rugby)

(oh the shame of loosing to wales, on saturday)

I have had calls left right and centre from these no win no fee insurance people.

So do you think I should go ahead with one?

I hate them, this is why the world is so safety mad, but on the other hand there is not a lot I can do about it.

[Mat Jackson]

I hate this sueing culture, peopl jusdt seem to want to make a buck.  However, I also think in case where you are entitled to it you should claim.

If you really have a broken wrist, and it was due to someone elses mistake then they should compensate you.  It only gets silly when you start adding on loads for mental anguish etc.

As for who to use, not quite sure really....

[CedricTheBrave]

I would just claim through your insurance company against hers

I did this a few years ago when someone hit my westy and I dislocated my big toe

the insurance did everything including doctors appointments etc they were very good and I ended up with a nice fat check

and the no win no fee boys got didly instead of their 25% or whatever it is

[neilwillis]

Yep, your imsurance should include legal assistance, that'd be my first choice too.

Hope you are back to 100% soon too.

[Bronco Jr]

Same thing happened to me a couple of years back, made a right mess of the bike, I was just cut a bit, nothing broken (that time)

heres my advice FWIW, dont go no-win no fee, you just another case and if it looks like a bit of hard going they'll just drop you.

I went to my "normal" solicitor, went through the details, he took the case on, won some damages that covered the leathers, helmet and some "compensation" and the other parties insurance company paid his fee's.

I believe that this "no win no fee" parasites are more interested in spurious claims, like tripped over a dog turd that the council should have cleaned up, therefore I'm suing for runing my life as I cant pass a dog without shaking.... (ooops sorry for going on there!

In summary, its a legitimate accident, legitimate injuries, go see a proper solicitor.

HTH

And

Hope you heal soon, and get back in the saddle

[steppenwolf]

I am horrified by these replies! No, you shouldn't claim or you will be just as bad as the rest. Yes your bike needs to be restored to it's former glory and the other driver ( who appears to be at fault ) should pay up through her insurance. Likewise, any out of pocket expenses including any lost income should be claimed for but as for claiming for more then I personally wouldn't. In our 'blame society', my attitude puts me at a potential financial disadvantage but I do know what is right and what is capitalising out of an accident.

Grrrrrr - nothing personal by the way, I hope you make a speedy recovery and am very pleased that your injuries were not worse.

[Bronco Jr]

Steps,

Im with you on the blame culture thing, but from a slightly different angle, its not a spurious claim, its legitimate injuries, and god does a bike accident hurt... These people that "look" for reasons to claim (the evergreen whiplash for example) are wrong in what they do. Those that "fall over a broken flagstone" are similar. But when you get a bike repaired, its value drops, you can always tell and bikers are by and large good at spotting it. When I sold my repaired bike, everyone spotted that it had been repaired, most walked away.

I dont know the exact circumstances of the accident or injuries, but they sound real to me. I wouldn't class this as an example of the blame and claim culture that I hate as much as you do.

Just an opinion of course, maybe being a biker changes my perception of the line in the sand between legitimate and spurious

[Mike H]

The number of cars you've got it's about time you got some money back on your insurance

Stepps,

Where is this utopia you live in?

The blame culture is about people having accidents then looking for someone else to blame this is not what's happenned here.

[steppenwolf]

I have no doubt at all that the injuries are absolutely real, its just the concept of chasing money as compensation for the injury per se that I have trouble with. I am aware that I am somewhat on my own on this issue and it is not helped by the fact that a female friend of mine has successfully made three claims for injuries that were just not there. I just worry that this issue is yet another one that makes any kind of contact with other people more dicy. No longer can we put an arm around a youngster in the street who has fallen off his or her bike in case we are accusee of abuse, we are at risk if a 'friend' falls over your train set in the lounge and breaks a leg etc. etc. It all just strikes me as part of a slippery slope where no one trusts anyone because everyone is on the make! By Jan's action in posting the query, he is clearly not one to be easily on the make but he is considering joining those that are by pressure from outside influences and although I have great sympathy for his pain I am not sure that claiming a monetary recompense is the right way to proceed. I believe that S*** happens ( quite a lot really! ) and always looking to get something back for it just doesn't sit well with me.

Where is this utopia you live in?

No Utopia at all, my life has not always been that easy and I have suffered as most of us do with the usual disappointments, shaftings ( !!?? ), let downs and indeed injuries and accidents - it is a bad old world out there and I live in it just as you do. I also need money to live just as much as anyone else ( actually with my extravagant tastes more than some ) but I have never gained more than I am owed and maybe this is the crux of the matter - our current society believes in compensation for too many events ( IMHO ) and it may sem natural to 'go with the flow' on this and I am probably just out of touch!

[Buzz Billsberry]

(feels like I had a bad game of rugby)

I can't imagine you playing rugby; you're too much of a girl.

I'd claim thro' your insurance. The no win no fee brigade are the new double glazing salesman. same calibre of people

Buzz

[steppenwolf]

Oh, and when I used to sell double glazing ....... no just joshing ....

[neilwillis]

I disagree entirely with you Stepps.   If you are injured, and suffer as a result of an accident, why shouldn't you be compensated?

It's a different matter entirely to the spurious, and often fraudulent claims made via the no win no fee mafia.

Or are you suggesting that if you're killed in an accident, and blame was proven to be attributable to a third party that you'd not expect your family to be compensated either?

Don't lose sight of the difference between genuine injury, and making money out of nothing.

[Buzz Billsberry]

Oh, and when I used to sell double glazing ....... no just joshing ....

LOL            excellent Stepps!!

Buzz

[davidgh]

The 'Ambulance Chasing' (no win, no fee) fraternity have a few nasty tricks up their sleeves.

1. If you do win, you'll likely pay a much higher fee (and expenses) than your own solicitor will charge.

2. Many of them ask you to take out an insurance policy (payable to them) in the event of you losing. "No, it's not a fee, it's an insurance premium"  --  but guess who pays it; and up front.

3. They've developed a nasty habit of going bust  --  see Claims Direct

4. When they do succeed, they milk the insurance industry  --  which, in turn, raises all our premiums.

Firm candidates for Douglas Adams 'B' Ship in my view.

[adhawkins]

Firm candidates for Douglas Adams 'B' Ship in my view.

It was an Ark.

Andy