Cyclist Knocked off Bicycle By Car - Compensation Agreed 8 Weeks After Receipt Of Instructions.
We acted for a client who was injured when she was knocked off her bicycle by a car. The client sustained cuts and bruising to her arm, leg and head, together with a minor wrist fracture. There were also claims for damage to the bicycle, clothing, medication, travel expenses and gratuitous care provided to our client by her husband. Liability was not disputed.
Prior to our instruction and before any medical evidence was obtained, the driver's insurers put forward a settlement proposal of £500.00 directly to our client. When our client asked for time to consider the offer, they increased the proposal to £750.00.
Following our instruction and initial telephone conversation with the insurers, this offer was then increased to £3000.00, again, still without medical evidence.
A review of case law and statute based solely on the client's statement regarding her injuries indicated that the client could expect to achieve an award within the bracket of £1800.00 to £3000.00 depending upon the length and extent of her recovery. At a consultation with our client, she felt very strongly that she wanted to settle the claim asap and would make a full recovery with no long term effects.
As there was a risk of achieving a lower settlement if medical evidence was obtained, we were instructed to settle the claim for a minimum of £3000.00. A further telephone conversation with the driver's insurers secured a further increase of £500.00 and settlement was agreed in the sum of £3500.00 only 8 weeks after our client initially instructed us.