Hello all,
Three months ago I was in my car driving back from a festival with four of my friends on board when we decided to pull into McDonalds to get something to eat. I pulled into the drive-thru when we all realised our money was in the boot of the car.
Admittedly my rear view mirror was obscured since we had alot of camping gear in the boot, however upon checking my wing mirrors I couldn't see anything behind me. I reversed out doing a maximum of 5mph, and even im sceptical as to whether I was really going that fast, I collided with the car behind me causing VERY minimal damage to the claimants car (The damage is literally an inch long scathe of paint removal - almost unnoticable in comparison to the other scratches on the bumper) Upon realising I had hit the car I got out to check the damage, the claimant comes bounding out screaming that they will need a new bumper and a courtesy car, this, that and everything else. I provided photos to back up the minute damage caused to the car and this is currently being looked at.
A few days ago I recieve another call from my insurance company that the claimant is now claiming for Whiplash/soft tissue damage. I was to say the least very unhappy and was completely shocked. Clearly trying to exploit an already out of proportion incident. At the time of the incident the claimant said nothing about being in pain and was more concerned of how much money I was willing to cough up for compensation. I have read up on Whiplash and realise that there is the possibility of a delayed onset of symptoms, however im finding it VERY hard to believe that after three months have passed since the incident the claimant is now claiming for these injuries.
This is my first ever road accident and I am very worried that I am going to lose my no claims bonus. My insurance company is currently sorting the situation out but I feel helpless and at the mercy of this possible fake claim. I read somewhere that I have the right to an independent assessment of their medical status or something along those lines.
Is there any advice you could give as to what I can do to help myself in this situation?
Thank you very much for your time.
Regards,
Rob.
p.s. Any other information that may help you understand the situation, just ask.
Three months ago I was in my car driving back from a festival with four of my friends on board when we decided to pull into McDonalds to get something to eat. I pulled into the drive-thru when we all realised our money was in the boot of the car.
Admittedly my rear view mirror was obscured since we had alot of camping gear in the boot, however upon checking my wing mirrors I couldn't see anything behind me. I reversed out doing a maximum of 5mph, and even im sceptical as to whether I was really going that fast, I collided with the car behind me causing VERY minimal damage to the claimants car (The damage is literally an inch long scathe of paint removal - almost unnoticable in comparison to the other scratches on the bumper) Upon realising I had hit the car I got out to check the damage, the claimant comes bounding out screaming that they will need a new bumper and a courtesy car, this, that and everything else. I provided photos to back up the minute damage caused to the car and this is currently being looked at.
A few days ago I recieve another call from my insurance company that the claimant is now claiming for Whiplash/soft tissue damage. I was to say the least very unhappy and was completely shocked. Clearly trying to exploit an already out of proportion incident. At the time of the incident the claimant said nothing about being in pain and was more concerned of how much money I was willing to cough up for compensation. I have read up on Whiplash and realise that there is the possibility of a delayed onset of symptoms, however im finding it VERY hard to believe that after three months have passed since the incident the claimant is now claiming for these injuries.
This is my first ever road accident and I am very worried that I am going to lose my no claims bonus. My insurance company is currently sorting the situation out but I feel helpless and at the mercy of this possible fake claim. I read somewhere that I have the right to an independent assessment of their medical status or something along those lines.
Is there any advice you could give as to what I can do to help myself in this situation?
Thank you very much for your time.
Regards,
Rob.
p.s. Any other information that may help you understand the situation, just ask.