Hey members Just wanted to pick your experienced brains regarding personal injury solicitors following a recent accident. Last Tuesday I was proceeding ahead at traffic light controlled cross roads. It was my right of way but a car coming the opposite way turned right across my path. Bang! Schuberth helmet did it’s job as it smashed into her passenger door. Anyway, it was my commuter bike and not my Ducati so i’m thankful for small mercies. I called my insurer -Bennett’s who told me Minster Law would handle the personal injury side of things. I subsequently Googled them and the reviews are appalling. I appreciate a disgruntled customer is far more likely to vent online than a satisfied customer is to praise but it doesn’t fill me with confidence. Just curious if this experienced biking community has any experience with Minster Law - good,
From my experience, where my legal claims solicitor abandoned me leaving me to go it alone (and win) and my girlfriend’s experience, where it took nearly 5 years for the insurer to settle in full in her favour, my view is that the whole legal/insurance claims system is broken. In your case, IMO, if the car driver is not prosecuted, you are potentially in for a challenge that your insurance backed solicitor won’t be paid enough to fight. On a more positive note, deal with your solicitor promptly, do not be put off by the soliciotor’s claim that the court might decide it was 50/50 and if you feel you are getting poor service, complain. It’s a pisser you’ve had a smack but hopefully you are uninjured and your claim is settled in your favour quickly. Andy
I think you will find that a solicitor supplied by your insurance company will be as good as the breakdown cover supplied by your insurance company
I had to sack my insurance solicitor and use my own when he said it was 50/50 , my legaly parked bike was knocked over by a woman trying to park outside my house.50/ fecking 50. She was a very religious church goer who produced 3 church goers who all swore they saw the bike fall over three times and i picked it up three times....i produced a witness who saw her reverse into bike and knock it over and saw me run out and catch her drive off. 50/50. I won.
And there is the problem, most brokers offer an aftermarket add on solution, not the underwriter’s in house legal team. Andy
Thanks for the feedback guys. I saw the Slater Gordon ad on here and wondered if they’d be any better.
Ambulance chasers. I’d stick with what you’ve got in the first instance to see if your solicitor sits on the fence. The strength of your case will depend on witness statements and whether the police get involved or not. In my experience, the other driver admitted liability at the scene but a day or two later decided to lie through their teeth. Andy
If you have a proper case then go to any decent Solicitor and they will do a proper job. The problem though is they generally want you to pay up front as they go along. If you win they usually get your costs back This is why no win no fee solicitors are so common
Andrew Dalton does an article every month in one of the magazines which impresses me. If I had an accident they would be the ones I'd call. TB
In my experience, which is backed up by quite a lot of history, religion seems to take a back seat when money or gold comes along.
Back in 2010 I had a bad smash at the TT, my insurance informed me Minster Law would be looking after my case. They were awful. I happened to go to an open day at Onyerbike and White Dalton Solicitors were there and I got talking to Andrew Dalton. I changed Solicitors and it was the best thing I ever did. I cannot recommend them enough, give Andrew a ring, mention Minster Law and see what he says. You don’t have to use the Solicitor who the insurance company gave you and you can change whenever you like at no cost to yourself. Insurance companies are horrible and you need someone to look out for you, my case took 6 years to finalise so you must be patient. Andrew will look after you.
I think they write in various magazines - Ride, Adventure Biker, Fast Bike. I get a weekly newsletter from them, always a good read and their advice seems good (they don't mince their words though!). Can't remember how I got on the mailing list, but here's a link to their "blog": https://www.whitedalton.co.uk/motorbike-blog/ I think you could sign up for the newsletter (and prize draw!) here: https://www.whitedalton.co.uk/win-250-free-motorbike-kit/ PS - no affiliation in any way, just think they sound OK!
When I was knocked off my Yam Tracer a few years back by an apparently blind young lady, my Yamaha dealer put me in touch with Mcamms. They dealt with the whole process from new helmet and hire bike immediately, to settlement of my claim. It took over a year though.
Great response. Spoilt for choice now! It’s good have recommendations from satisfied customers and reassuring to learn that I can change solicitors without penalty. They don’t tell you that! In fact I was told not to communicate with other firms! Thanks again.
You are not obliged to use your insurance companies supplied or recommended injury specialist. It's almost like they (insurance customer service scumbags) coax people who are 'at fault' that "...if by chance an acquaintance comes forward in the coming months, we would be able to counter claim & most likely this will go away..". I have had experience of these sorts of mythical dreamed up stories coming about & been warned by a QC. We have it on good merit you were speeding & riding erratically! I won.
I have used RSS Rider support services a few times with great success https://www.ridersupport.co.uk but as other posters have said your options may be limited depending if you have independent witnesses or not
