To be rather surprised at my parents with hindsight?

[ImaBridKid]

In 1990 I was 17 and was knocked off my bike by a motorist. It was low speed collision on a roundabout, I wasn't seriously injured not enough for a hospital appointment. However, I was shaken up with a painful bruised backside and had to have 2 days off work. The lady who knocked me over seemed a decent type, was also shaken up and had to have the day off work due to shock.
What surprises me is this - my parents were both university graduates with 'Top executive' level jobs. My mum was an abusive, alcoholic narcissist and my Dad her enabler.
I'm surprised that neither of them encouraged or helped me to put in a claim for compensation. After all, I was hurt although not really seriously and psychologically shaken up. I didn't know the first thing about claims when I was 17.
Maybe the claims culture wasn't so much a thing in 1990.Any opinions?

I would have thought it weirder if you did! My friend recieved a large amount of compensation following an accident, but only because she had to give up the sport she played at professional level due to her injuries, and it accounted for potential loss of earnings and for some adaptions. For one which didn't require hospital but left you a bit teary what would your reason be for claiming? .

Btw YANBU - these realisations come up often later in life. Regardless of the competition culture (or lack of) back then.

I was injured in an accident in 1984, I think I got £3,000 and I was off work for a week. Solicitor warned me I'd get nothing as it was a big bus company but sent a letter for me and I got an offer within a week. Don't know why people think people didn't know about compensation in 1990.

*compensation!

This is such a weird thread. It reminds me of the thread yesterday about the woman wondering if another woman wearing a hat 15 years ago in her own home was rude...

There wasn't so much of a claim culture in the 1990s.

My son was knocked off his bike and his arm was broken in 1989. It never occurred to me to claim compensation. He was 14 so what would he have been compensated for? I’ve got an MA as well.

Wow, you win the most ridiculous thread of the week award

I take it you haven't seen the one about the student wearing a beanie hat indoors 15 years ago then? I'll put this a close second though.

I love the way non-lawyers pile on these threads and dam and to know what you could possibly have claimed for! 🤣 rule number 1, never ask for advice on MN, the world and her dog does not know the answer...

My sister threw a glass at me in 1986. I was 15 and she was 14. I basically lost half my face ( and it missed my eyes be about 2mm). I had 38 stitches done by a specialist plastic surgeon that they had to fly from London (God bless the NHS). I got zero compensation and nobody said a word to my sister. I think my parents must have framed it as an accident (?) I don’t actually know as no one ever talked about it again. I’m 49 and I still have to wear thick make up. My parents were a bad combination of middle class (respectable) and violently abusive so that’s probably why it all played out the way it did. I try not to think about it really but I had to work my way through university with zero parental support so the money would have come in useful tbh.

Hmm things were probably different. Not sure though. Sometimes as parents we think afterwards I should have done that when it's too late.

Different thing but I took a job offer once based on working 5 hours in the morning. And 4 from teatime with the afternoon off. The boss started adding work in in the afternoon. I quit because she wouldn't budge. I ended up looking unreliable and she was really rude. Saif she would never take someone on without a car again. I regret to this day not sticking up for myself and quoting our conversations when we discussed the work.

Your parents were perhaps so shaken by you being hurt and appreciated the lady was upset and wasn't a bad driver that they just were happy you were alive and safe. Although if she was a bad driver the police should have dealt with that. Tbh money is a strange thing when you turn out ok.

Where I live in the early 90s a nurse did bad things at our hospital. I know the families were compensated alot of money. They deserved it without a doubt. But not sure I could enjoy spending money personally from such a tragedy.

YABU definitely sorry

I'm not clear that there would be a worthwhile claim for this now either OP. Accidents happen. Ask your parents why they didn't advise you to claim if you feel bitter about it.

Why does the world want something for nothing

“ Have you been involved in an accident 30 years ago that wasn’t your fault ?
Call us now to get the fuck over it “

OK that did make me smile Fluffybutter

Even nowadays you'd be lucky to get more than a few hundred quid for a claim like that even if liability was admitted; 30 years ago it would have been worth peanuts. As it wouldn't have been worth £1,000 or more, no solicitor would have wanted to deal with it because no costs are payable on claims under that level.

It's not exactly a massive loss, I wouldn't lose any time worrying about it.

just to make it clear I'm DEFINITELY not claiming now!!

Mistletoeandwhine - good grief sorry to hear that - sounds really awful and traumatic!

ElaineMarieBenes - it would have been her fault as she came into the back of me. Plus I passed my test a few years later and I know now to give cyclists a really wide berth as they are much more vulnerable. Thanks for those estimates - I dealt mainly in a professional capacity with whiplash injuries etc

BackforGood - sorry to hear about your 17yr old's accident and yes you're absolutely right in your first paragraph

By the was I don't work in claims any more, so couldn't ask in work as it were.

Sorry to hear about some people's traumatic experiences.

Redredwine99

Why does the world want something for nothing

Thats a really ignorant.

I had a car accident. Made a whiplash claim. Came out with 3 thousands pounds for "nothing".

That nothing actually included private therapy for the pain for 6 months. Changing pillows, mattresses, coats scarfs to help alleviate things. I continued to get noticable pain for a further 18 months and am still weaker on the muscles involved many many years later especially if i dont keep up a regular exercise. Also costs for replacement transportation for the 3 months i couldnt drive, ironing costs while i couldnt lift an iron

You do not get something for nothing.

This post reminds me of the lady who started a thread about whether it had been rude for a stranger to open the door with a hat on four years ago.

Why do parents have so much time to reflect? How do you get this time? Where am I going wrong?!