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Original poster

Accident compensation

73 replies

gluestick99 · 30/07/2018 07:50

Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong place.

Has anyone claimed compensation for an accident that was not their fault through one of those 'no win no fee' companies? If so, was it easy, no stress, worth while?

I was involved in an accident 2 years ago today. I broke my elbow, which meant I couldn't drive for nearly 2 months, and obviously interfered with day to day life in lots of ways. I don't wish to go into details here of how it happened, but I had no control over it, and at the time the other person involved was a good friend, very apologetic etc. We had a good laugh about it all....

2 years down the line though, we are no longer communicating. He fell out with my DP over something trivial. Neither of us are too bothered tbh, but then DP mentioned the accident and said maybe I should claim? Not as revenge or anything like that, I really wouldn't do that, but if there is a chance of a few hundred pounds then why not? Would the ex friend actually have to fork out? Or would it be his insurance company? WWYD?

OP posts:
SenoritaViva · 30/07/2018 07:55

I got compensation for an accident but did it through my insurance company who negotiated on my behalf and the other drivers insurance company paid. I had to provide evidence of treatment I’d had (receipts for physio etc) as well as medical reports and the cost of new child car seats etc. Apart from providing the paperwork (which was quite onerous and seeing the medical professionals they wanted me to see) it was quite straight forward. I did it immediately though so probably easier.

Shortstuff08 · 30/07/2018 07:56

So you laughed it off at the time. Now you aren't friends you are going to say him.

And you say it's not revenge?

His insurance could go up. What costs have you incurred that you were willing to absorb, 2 years ago, that you aren't willing to absorb now.

Is your injury still costing money now?

LoniceraJaponica · 30/07/2018 07:58

And you say it isn't revenge Hmm
I'm glad you aren't my friend.

Minniemagoo · 30/07/2018 07:59

I know for a car accident here (Irl) you have 2 years to submit a claim but then its too late so I'd check timings.

AlonsoTigerHeart · 30/07/2018 08:01

The absolute definition revenge

Pack it in, don't be a arse

Quimby · 30/07/2018 08:03

I’d check the statute of limitations where you live first

Sparklesocks · 30/07/2018 08:04

I’m not convinced of your motives tbh, wouldn’t you have claimed at the time if it had been so disruptive? Friends or not, if you had lost earnings/mobility wouldn’t you have considered a claim at the time? Laughing it off with your friend suggests it wasn’t as bad as you say.

hidinginthenightgarden · 30/07/2018 08:05

It doesn't sound like it continues to impact your life now so I would say you are being very petty to do this.

Blizzardagain · 30/07/2018 08:06

Eh? If you laughed it off I'm confused. Is it costing you money now?

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 30/07/2018 08:07

This is absolutely revenge and would be seen as such. You don't say if it was a car accident but, if not, you are suing him directly. Why did you not claim two years ago if it affected you that much?

SirRodneyEffing · 30/07/2018 08:08

A "no win, no fee" will only take on your case if they feel there is a good chance of a) proving negligence against the other party and b) the other party is likely to have the means to pay up the compensation.

You've not said how the accident happened. Was it as a result of a car accident?

Is the person you hold responsible likely to have any insurance to cover such events? Or would they have to pay personally? If it's the latter than the case would be more complex and less likely to be attractive to a "no win, no fee" outfit

Original poster
gluestick99 · 30/07/2018 08:09

At the time, yes, I 'laughed it off'.
I could have claimed back then, but didn't, as I knew it might affect his insurance, and just put it down to bad luck. But, his attitude to us changed dramatically over a sat nav cable of all things...too long to go into details, but this is a guy who is literally a millionaire with his own businesses but wouldn't fork out for a sat nav cable.
I couldnt' believe the text he sent DP about it, was totally gobsmacked! Have seen him about, he has totally blanked me. His fall out was with DP, rather than me, but he has 'unfriended' me too for no reason.
Anyway, the advice I wanted was is it worth actually claiming? which company has anyone used and could recommend?

OP posts:
Mrswalliams1 · 30/07/2018 08:10

I hate this compensation culture. It's the reason we pay through the roof for insurance. Unless you've done serious damage that's impacted your life medium/long term then you shod not be allowed to claim.

HellenaHandbasket · 30/07/2018 08:11

It doesn't sound like revenge, just like opportunism. You weren't disrupted enough to claim when you were friends, but now you're not you may as well?

Not cool.

AlonsoTigerHeart · 30/07/2018 08:12

so now you no longer friends it's not bad luck anymore? It's still bad luck
The fact he's wealthy doesn't make it ok.

Will you sue everyone who you no longer like?

BritInUS1 · 30/07/2018 08:15

It depends on how you were injured as to whether or not he would be insured.

Treacletoots · 30/07/2018 08:15

It sounds like you're probably going to claim. Realistically you do realise that a no win no fee means if you do win they'll take the majority of your settlement. It's only free if they don't win.

Trust me, I worked for a compensation lawyer years ago and their ethics were seriously non existent.

The only way to come out of this with any decent settlement is to either sue him personally or use your own insurance to pursue his insurance company. I would bet that any costs from doing it yourself would be waaaaay lower than using a no win no fee company.

itbemay · 30/07/2018 08:16

@shortstuff08 - exactly that!

@mrswalliams1 - I agree with you

OP - have you no shame! Morally totally wrong! Why claim now, read the replies, do you not think his insurance company/solicitors will ask the same question? Why was it ok then and not now. Good luck making a few ££ hope it makes you ‘feel’ better, like you have your revenge because that is all it is

Original poster
gluestick99 · 30/07/2018 08:18

I purposely didn't claim at the time BECAUSE we were friends and didn't want to spoil that friendship.

But now we aren't... so why not?

OP posts:
Shortstuff08 · 30/07/2018 08:19

as I knew it might affect his insurance, and just put it down to bad luck. But, his attitude to us changed dramatically over a sat nav cable of all things...too long to go into details, but this is a guy who is literally a millionaire with his own businesses but wouldn't fork out for a sat nav cable.

So you know that it won't cost him directly, but will put his insurance up....so why ask that question in your first post?

So, it was bad luck, not negligence. And its ok to do this because he is rich.

If you incurred costs and he is rich, why not sort it with him at the time.

I am imagining the sat nav cable was the final straw in a long list of shitty things you have done, thinking 'it's ok, he is rich' You don't go from being a decent person, to thinking that this is ok.

Just admit you are doing it to fuck him over. At least be honest about.

AlonsoTigerHeart · 30/07/2018 08:20

But now we aren't... so why not?

Cause your not a Cunt?

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 30/07/2018 08:20

Aah, so he's 'literally a millionaire' - that makes it ok then.
Your other friends should start watching their backs

Shortstuff08 · 30/07/2018 08:20

purposely didn't claim at the time BECAUSE we were friends and didn't want to spoil that friendship.

Why? If he is rich and could afford to help to help you with costs and such a good friend, why did you not tell him it incurred you many costs.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 30/07/2018 08:20

Come on, this is clearly revenge. You’ve decided that because he’s had a falling out with you both then you may as well make a bit of cash out of it.

What a shitty attitude you have.

LoniceraJaponica · 30/07/2018 08:25

Why not?

Because you have no moral compass Hmm