Injured in a road traffic accident? Within a matter of hours you are likely to be referred by an insurer to a solicitor without even realising it. The solicitors are often owned by an insurer. Your claim will be dealt with by an unqualified claim handler who you will never see and may not be able to speak to. Their knowledge of the law will be limited because of their lack of qualifications and training. It is likely you will be seen within a few weeks by a GP and your claim could be settled within a matter of weeks.
It doesn’t have to be like this. A solicitor should be the first point of contact for an injured claimant. Better still, a solicitor should see the claimant at their home or work at time convenient to them.
Most importantly, I believe it is important that injuries are assessed properly by suitable qualified experts.
At ASD I ensue that injured claimants are seen ‘face to face’ by a solicitor immediately. Full details are taken and arrangements are made for the client to see an orthopaedic surgeon in every case where there’s an injury to the neck or back. The client isn’t examined until at least two and a half months post accident. This ensues the injury is properly investigated and the client gets a proper settlement. If an MRI scan is required we fund it. In about 1 in 15 cases a scan is recommended of those about 1 in 10 of our clients have damage to their spine in the form of a prolapsed disc or bulge. The difference in value can be significant.
I am passionate about acting for local people who have been injured on the road or at work. I believe clients would be much better served by a local firm rather than a national one.
Richard Meggitt
Solicitor / Director
Accident Solicitors Direct
Sheffield
