Personal Injury Claim Early Settlement

petereoin

Hi All;

I was a passenger in a car accident in January last year where I sustained a neck injury.

Attended my local GP and wad diagnosed with whiplash. Had continuing visits for the next four month with medication from the GP.

In the interim contacted the Injuries Board, completed the forms and had my GP complete his medical report.

Both respondents refused to allow the injury board to assess my condition.

Recently attended an examination by an injury board GP for their assessment.

Here is my query ........

I have since received a letter from the respondents insurance company admitting liability and for me to contact them.

I waited two weeks before contacting them hoping the injuries board would assess my claim before then.

No such luck, so I contacted the insurance company and they made me a offer. I do not know whether it is fair or not, but they also told me that I only have 10 days to accept.

Contacted the Injury board to get advice and to see if they completed their assessment. They will take several more weeks to determine a level of compensation.

Any opinions as to whether I should accept the insurance companies offer?

If I don't accept will they make a counter offer?

If I don't accept will this process drag on for another year?

Your feedback would be appreciated

dan_ep82

It all depends on your specific circumstances so even if you were to say how much no one could really judge without going through the entire history of the case.

Also,the PIAAB estimation isn't binding at all,they defendants could refuse to pay what PIAAB deems as fair and continue to court.

I suppose the biggest question is whether your happy with the amount or not, maybe a visit to a local solicitor might help,they may be able to give you an answer once they know as much as possible.

Pat Mustard

petereoin wrote: »

Any opinions as to whether I should accept the insurance companies offer?

The value of the case will be determined by looking at the medical reports, taking into account expenses and ongoing problems, etc. This can't be done here.

The insurance company claims handlers will have an idea of the value of your case after they see the medical reports. They are aware that most laymen are not likely to know the value of their own claims, and they will attempt to take full advantage by paying out as little as possible.

The only accurate way for a layman to find out the value of his claim is get professional legal advice.

Victor

We can't give you legal advice. If this is important to you, then you should really speak to a solicitor or at the very least with someone with a good business head / negotiating skills on them.

The insurers are not making the offer for your benefit. They have estimated what it will cost them and have taken a chunk off. That chunk will be material, but not so much that you will reject it out of hand. Nobody's first offer is their best offer (unless you're The Godfather). Be cautious of making a counter-offer, but there might be no harm is saying "Would it be possible to go a little higher?"

Any settlement is likely to be 'full and final' and you won't ever be able to revisit it.

I assume the offer they have made is in a relatively simple letter. Ask them for their full offer document.

Don't necessarily accept or reject the offer now - use 8 or 9 of the 10 days they have offered.