I was in a bad car accident in December (definitely not at fault, I was hit while stationary and fault is not disputed). The scene was a mess, all emergency services there and I was told by police I need to let my insurers know then and there. I googled my insurer and called the claims number that came up straight away. In my shell shock I had no idea I had called a paid-for advert number for an accident management company.
They put me onto a credit hire company - I still thought this was my insurer and thought it odd they were so focused on arranging a courtesy car when I’m still standing in the middle of the crash scene but I had no idea what was going on so was led by them.
They gave me a car the next day and due to the unbelievably lengthy process of them getting my money for my written off car to me I ended up with the ‘courtesy car’ for 3 months.
Here’s the kicker…. They billed me for £35,000 for having the car that amount of time!! They sent me forms telling me to sign and it’s all ok they will get their money from the other drivers insurance. I questioned it so many times but was told this is what always happens don’t worry etc etc. but for them to claim the hire charges back I HAVE to sign.
They called last week to say the other insurers have not it paid yet, so they have instructed their solicitors on my behalf and this may now all go to court although they want to avoid that and will take an offer if the other insurers make one.
I’m now scared stiff that if the other insurers play hard ball due to the frankly ridiculous overinflated amount the credit hire company have charged then they will come after me for it as I have been pressured into signing for liability for those charges.
Also, they are pressuring me to make a personal injury claim with them as I still have injuries and am having physio through occupational health at work. I don’t want to do a PI claim yet and certainly not with these solicitors who work for the credit hire company as I don’t trust them. Yet they say I can’t make a PI claim if I don’t do it now as you can’t claim for the same accident twice? I thought a PI claim would be completely separate from their car hire claim?
If anyone has any advice please let me know. My main concerns are
- Will I be pursued for the 35k and if so will I need to get my own solicitor to fight my case against the credit hire company?
- Is it correct that if I don’t make a PI claim now along with the car hire charges then I will never be able to make one?
Thank you if you’ve made it this far!