Student awarded record compensation
A student has been compensated with close to three times the amount of compensation that was suggested by an insurance firm, after he sustained personal injuries in a car accident.
The man who was 18 years old at the time of the accident, which happened in 2008 was a passenger in a car which flipped over at an embankment as he was travelling home. He sustained a broken finger and a head injury and needed to undergo surgery to amputate part of his ring finger and little finger.
The man explained that he has “now come to terms” and is adapting well to his disability. The man who was completing his studies at the time of the accident, went on to pass three A-Levels in Business, English and History and planned to go on to further education at university.
After the car accident took place, the insurance provider of the driver who caused the accident contacted the student and offered him a compensation claim worth £5,000 if he decided to take the compensation claim from them. Initially he believed that the sum was a good amount and considered accepting the sum.
Good advice from a friend
It was after this initial offer that he decided to look around and seek information from legal experts. He contacted a no win no fee solicitors firm after taking advice from a friend. After speaking to the no win no fee legal firm, he found out that he could receive a much higher sum of compensation because of the personal injuries that he sustained as a result of the car accident.
With the help of the no win no fee solicitor who represented the student, he was able to receive £13,000 in compensation – a substantially higher sum than the initial offer that was offered to him by the insurance company.
Speaking about the incident, the student said: “When I was contacted by the insurers I was still in shock and I had no idea what kind of compensation I should expect to receive for my injuries.”
He added that: “A friend recommended speaking to a no win no fee solicitor and I am glad that I took the extra step of gaining independent legal advice otherwise I would have accepted what I now realise was an attempt by the insurance company to buy me off.
Loss will be forever
“Fortunately I have learnt to cope with my injuries. But the loss of my fingers will be with me forever.”
A specialist from the no win no fee solicitors firm, which represented the man said: “It is our experience that insurance companies try to go for quick settlements in cases like these.”
She added that: “They often approach clients when they are still in shock and may have not had an opportunity to think about how their injuries will impact on their lives. It is, frankly, an attempt to stop vulnerable injured people from getting independent legal advice and maximum compensation.
She concluded by saying: “Victims of road accidents are not obliged to settle direct with an insurance company or to instruct their insurance company’s solicitors.”