Injury lawyers

[Emu2005]

My sister has recently been involved in an accident with a bus and I intend to go after the bus company for some compensation. Without going into too much detail, I was planning on writing to the bus company, giving all the information on the incident, copy of medical and police reports etc etc in the hope they'll offer a decent compensation amount.

I am going to put in the letter that if they don't offer a decent amount I am going to take it to an injury solicitor, I am hoping they will offer a good amount rather than have the fear of paying compensation AND solicitors fees.

Just wondering if anyone else has done anything similar? Will threatening them with solicitors work?

Many thanks in advance

[daffy654]

I think you should write to the bus company and inform them that you are going to seek legal advice over the accident,however,asking them for compensation 'or else' could be seen as a type of blackmail and would be inadvisable.

[CheekyChops]

I assume that the bus company was actually at fault? Also why can't your sister write for herself? I doubt that the bus company (or any injury solicitor) will deal with you if you weren't involved.

[Emu2005]

Hmm ok i hadn't thought of that, that's a good point. Is there any other way I can phrase it so I can get them to offer compensation without actually having to go to a solicitors? I think I'd rather get something soon than waiting for ages with the solicitors. Can I say anything about asking for compensation? If I don't threaten them with legal action?
And can it really be classed as blackmail?
Thanks for your help

[redcrx]

all this you you you. What does your sister want from this?
She may be happy to go through a solicitor and wait for a result.

[Ethel]

Threatening them with solicitors won't work - they will have their own solicitors after all.

There are ways and means and assuming they are going to be obstructive and uncooperative in the first letter will not help your case.

They will need to know the injuries sustained, the short term and long term affects; monies lost to date, expenses incurred; treatment received; doctors and hospital reports; photos of injuries as soon after the accident as possible and recent photos.

Your sister will also need to sign something to give you authority to act on her behalf.

Is the bus driver being prosecuted by the police?

[Emu2005]

Yes they were at fault (the driver knocked her off her bike). She is able to write to them herself but I'm better at sorting these things out, and I'll be getting her to sign something to say I am authorised to deal with it.

[Ethel]

Let me tell you now, personal injury claims are never quick - I had to wait over five years and that was with proper solicitors and a court date.

They won't pay up quickly because it is impossible to forecast the long term effects of personal injury, unless it was so minor as to heal very quickly.

I was badly scalded by a faulty blender a few years ago. I took good photos of the injuries and sent them with a letter to the company, along with the faulty blender. Because the effects would not be long lasting and the healing time was relatively short - 6 weeks, I got offered an acceptable sum which was accepted. I did not make threats at any time - just stated the facts and supported it with evidence.

[Emu2005]

redcrx - when I said 'I would rather' I meant my sister would rather. Of course I'm doing what my sister wants.

Ethel, thanks for your info. I was planning on putting all that stuff in like you say. So when I've done all that what should I say? Ask for compensation? Ask for their thoughts? Say I'm going to a solicitor? What do you think would be best?

[Emu2005]

Hi Ethel,
That's what I was thinking about the injury lawyers, it taking a long time.
I think they are relatively minor injuries which will heal in a few months, but her bike is busted and cost quite a bit so I think a small sum would be acceptable.
But just don't know how to phrase the letter now!
I'll send all these things to them, but then what do I say at the end?

[redcrx]

no.know, of course she can, shes invited, just cant make up her mind lol

[New Judge]

Before you act like a bull in a china shop on your sister�s behalf, you need to make sure that the bus driver was indeed at fault.

Because he (or she) knocked your sister off her bike by no means demonstrates that the bus driver was at fault. There has to be negligence proved even in traffic accidents and that is not as simple to prove as you may believe.

[Ethel]

Emu - I never used 'injury lawyers'. I used a very reputable firm of solicitors.

Is the bus driver being prosecuted?

[Emu2005]

I am not sure whether they , waiting to get all the details from my sister. The bus driver is at fault, but as there are no witnesses I am not sure how it will be proved. I hope they prosecute the driver and he isn't allowed to drive buses again as he could do it to someone else and injure them more seriously.
So if I send the letter to the bus company with information on all the injuries and stuff, should I ask for compensation? ask for their thoughts? How did you do it when you wrote to the blender company?
Thanks for all your input ethel

[Eve]

Be very careful about writing anything to them as if it turned out you later needed to instruct solicitors and pursue a case through the courts you may end up having seriously prejudiced matters by trying a DIY version first by what you say, don't say,propose etc...

Chances are they will just refer the matter to their insurers who will pass it to their legal advisors and you would end up having to go up against solciitors in any event which is not advised without having your own representation.

Find a reputable PI firm and ask for a free initial consultation to get their advice as to whether there is a potential claim there, how long it could take, the costs if involved, the potential financial ramifications if you don't succeed, possible compensation etc...

[Ethel]

Do you KNOW the bus driver is at fault? You seem positive about that without knowing the driver is being prosecuted for any driving offence.

[mrs_overall]

Was this accident reported to the Police?

[Ethel]

Yes, he says he has copies of the police reports

[Emu2005]

Well my sister was just riding her bike along the road, the bus overtook her too close and she got forced off the road, can't see how he isn't at fault. He overtook too closely. According to the highway code you should give at least as much room as you would give a car when overtaking a cyclist, which he didn't do. Seems pretty clear cut to me...