Fair Compensation With a Road Accident Solicitor
When a driver is unlucky enough to be involved in a road accident that is not their fault, they can claim comepsnation for their injuries, damage to their vehicle and lost earnings or incurred expenses but are not obliged to do so with a road accident solicitor. He or she does have the option of deciding to accept a settlement offered by the insurers acting on the liable party’s behalf. Insurance companies are traditionally keen to settle claims early in order to avoid having to pay spiralling legal costs. However, unless the driver consults a road accident solicitor before deciding whether or not to accept the settlement, he or she will never be certain that they are getting a fair deal.
At the end of April this year, a new process for handling road accident claims worth between ?1,000 and ?10,000 was introduced. In other words: 80% of all road accident claims. Included in the new system is an electronic portal for sharing information relating to the claim between the road accident solicitor and the insurance company to eliminate the potential for duplication of information and the reduce time spend on the claim. Furthermore, the system also introduces strict time limits in which the claim must be handled.
The aim of the new regulations was to simplify and streamline the process so that it would be easier on accident victims and reduce spending on legal fees by insurance companies. Ultimately, the biggest priority was getting compensation to those people who needed it more quickly. Nevertheless, road accident solicitors will warn that unless consumers consult them for advice, they may not get a fair deal.
The new regulations have allegedly led to a rise in a practice that is not new. Insurance companies acting on behalf of the liable party contact the innocent party offering to settle their claim early. Often the insurance companies exaggerate the price and complexity of working with a road accident solicitor so that the claimant will feel pressured into accepting the early settlement. However, the insurance companies are not necessarily offering as high a settlement as might be achieved with a road accident solicitor. Therefore, now as much as ever before, it is important to consult a road accident solicitor.