Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

DD hit by car

222 replies

rak5a · 17/09/2022 20:11

Our 12 yr old DD was hit by a car as she got off the bus and was crossing the road. The driver had crossed over the reservation to drive on the wrong side of the road to beat traffic to make a turn and hit DD head on. It was awful but she will recover eventually. She has a broken bone and serious concussion and lots of cuts and bruises. It will take months to heal and she is in a bad way.

The police have said they will pursue either dangerous or careless driving (driver at least stopped and stayed at the scene). We feel strange thinking about it, but presume we should make a claim against the driver’s insurance. However we don’t know where to start - all these “no win no fee” websites just feel dirty. We think our DD should be compensated for her suffering and would put any award into a savings account for her to have when she gets older. Has anyone been through this? We want to be sensible but aren’t looking to “milk the system” so don’t want a horrible ambulance chaser. Any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
TheKingsInk · 17/09/2022 21:53

Was your daughter crossing at the lights/zebra crossing etc if not it could be difficult to prove it was entirely the drivers fault.

wishing her a speedy recovery

RunningFromInsanity · 17/09/2022 21:59

TheKingsInk · 17/09/2022 21:53

Was your daughter crossing at the lights/zebra crossing etc if not it could be difficult to prove it was entirely the drivers fault.

wishing her a speedy recovery

The driver was driving on the wrong side of the road. It can’t be anything but the drivers fault.

Threelittlelambs · 17/09/2022 22:01

She will be entitled to legal aid being a minor

NoWordForFluffy · 17/09/2022 22:02

rak5a · 17/09/2022 20:11

Our 12 yr old DD was hit by a car as she got off the bus and was crossing the road. The driver had crossed over the reservation to drive on the wrong side of the road to beat traffic to make a turn and hit DD head on. It was awful but she will recover eventually. She has a broken bone and serious concussion and lots of cuts and bruises. It will take months to heal and she is in a bad way.

The police have said they will pursue either dangerous or careless driving (driver at least stopped and stayed at the scene). We feel strange thinking about it, but presume we should make a claim against the driver’s insurance. However we don’t know where to start - all these “no win no fee” websites just feel dirty. We think our DD should be compensated for her suffering and would put any award into a savings account for her to have when she gets older. Has anyone been through this? We want to be sensible but aren’t looking to “milk the system” so don’t want a horrible ambulance chaser. Any advice gratefully received.

Most PI claims are undertaken by 'no sun no fee' firms. If you want to pursue the driver, you'll have to get over your aversion.

I hope your DD recovers well. Flowers

NoWordForFluffy · 17/09/2022 22:02

Win, not sun...must proof read!

SO224350 · 17/09/2022 22:03

When you say crossed over the reservation do you mean the white line in the centre of the road? Isn't that allowed when overtaking?

Original poster
rak5a · 17/09/2022 22:04

TheKingsInk · 17/09/2022 21:53

Was your daughter crossing at the lights/zebra crossing etc if not it could be difficult to prove it was entirely the drivers fault.

wishing her a speedy recovery

there was no crossing but the police made it very clear that the driver was at fault for DRIVING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. sorry for shouting but angry mummy bear here and I wasn’t asking if my DD was at fault (she was not) but if anyone had experience with such a situation.

OP posts:
TibetanTerrah · 17/09/2022 22:04

NoWordForFluffy · 17/09/2022 22:02

Most PI claims are undertaken by 'no sun no fee' firms. If you want to pursue the driver, you'll have to get over your aversion.

I hope your DD recovers well. Flowers

Show quote history

Agree. I used one but they were a well known local firm that do other law (family, property etc) as well as no win no fee RTA claims.

It was fine and tbh I couldn't have done it without their expertise.

rocketfromthecrypt · 17/09/2022 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Not in the spirit

NoWordForFluffy · 17/09/2022 22:06

TibetanTerrah · 17/09/2022 22:04

Agree. I used one but they were a well known local firm that do other law (family, property etc) as well as no win no fee RTA claims.

It was fine and tbh I couldn't have done it without their expertise.

Show quote history

Oh, and ambulance chasers contact you when they hear you've had an accident. If you contact them, no chasing was involved.

Threelittlelambs · 17/09/2022 22:07

i get you’re angry but they do take into account the other person not looking or being on their phone etc and this reduces compensation - people do have to take responsibility for their own actions.

I think these are fair questions you’ll be asked by a solicitor so you need to be calm and factual.

Original poster
rak5a · 17/09/2022 22:08

SO224350 · 17/09/2022 22:03

When you say crossed over the reservation do you mean the white line in the centre of the road? Isn't that allowed when overtaking?

The driver wasn’t overtaking. She didn’t want to wait in the queue of traffic (for probably 2 min) and there was no oncoming traffic so she moved to the wrong side and accelerated to make the righthand turning (about 10 car lengths ahead). And hit my DD who was safely crossing the road. There were dozens or witnesses who were all shocked.

OP posts:
knackeredagain · 17/09/2022 22:09

If the driver is prosecuted, won’t you have access to the criminal injuries scheme?

Dotcheck · 17/09/2022 22:10

This reply has been deleted

Not in the spirit

Rubbish thing to say- I’m sure op can do both.

To be honest, I would go for the maximum. I’m very glad to hear that your daughter will recover, but who knows what the long term repercussions will be. She may well need the money

NoWordForFluffy · 17/09/2022 22:10

knackeredagain · 17/09/2022 22:09

If the driver is prosecuted, won’t you have access to the criminal injuries scheme?

For which you need a NWNF solicitor!

Qwerkie · 17/09/2022 22:10

I’d ignore the people here trying to get a rise out of you - I’ve no idea why they think it’s appropriate. You daughter sounds badly injured and she should get compensation.

if you have home insurance you might have added legal cover to it, you could ring them for a start.

jackstini · 17/09/2022 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Not in the spirit

That's a bit of a shitty thing to say - they are obviously looking after her, but they don't know yet how bad the damage is long term
Ignoring what she may be owed would be the opposite of looking after her - that would include looking after her interests

UserNameNameNameUser · 17/09/2022 22:11

Dotcheck · 17/09/2022 22:10

Rubbish thing to say- I’m sure op can do both.

To be honest, I would go for the maximum. I’m very glad to hear that your daughter will recover, but who knows what the long term repercussions will be. She may well need the money

Show quote history

I completely agree.

Qwerkie · 17/09/2022 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Not in the spirit

Nasty prickish thing to say.

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 17/09/2022 22:11

Don't go with Admiral law! They are awful.

MissMaple82 · 17/09/2022 22:14

So did she cross at the front of the bus??

UniversalTruth · 17/09/2022 22:14

I second the pp who said to use a reputable local solicitor - you likely know some, go on their websites and see if they offer no win no fee representation.

MissMaple82 · 17/09/2022 22:14

Also, what bone is broken?