Only a few days ago my sister in law was involved in a serious head on RTC and currently the blame is apportioned to the other driver being in the wrong side of the road.
As it stands, she is now stable and not at risk of losing her life but in all probability be permanent disabled, possibly from the neck down.
One worry is her partner is completely useless and there is already the talk of compensation etc and has obtained himself a courtesy car on the 3rd party insurance. We are worried he is trying to take advantage of the situation to better his own position.
Has anyone been in a similar position or able to offer a legal professional who can take care of all legal matters, ensuring that she be put in the best position post accident, given the likeliness of life changing injuries and the permanent care she will probably need for the years to come. She is only in her mid twenties and while she cannot even talk, need someone other that her partner to act on her behalf without compromising her position.
Sadly her passenger also has the most seriousness of injuries with the 3rd party van driver escaping with a few cuts.
Thanks
I'm no expert, but I doubt her partner, reading partner as meaning non-married, is her next of kin. In dealing with the medical side of this dreadful scenario, the next of kin should be the first line of communication, is my understanding. It is possible that social services may view her, while unable to communicate as a vulnerable person and would offer guidance as to how to proceed. I wish her good luck and a good recovery.
Isn't there any kind of legal cover on her car insurance or even legal cover on home insurance?
Yes, but as this will be a non fault claim, I would rather secure a true professional who can secure her best interests as opposed to her car insurance firm where we could not vet who the claim handler would be.Originally Posted by scottbombedout
Having seen my uncle be put in a similar situation where he was paralysed from the waist down, watching him turn to drugs and ending his life early through the pain of living with his disability, simply want her to have the best opportunity for her and 2 children.
I haven't a clue about law specialists but I am saddened to hear of this tragic incident. I don't know any ot the parties involved but still feel upset to think of a young woman with life-changing injuries through no fault of her own. Also the passenger, who sounds to be in the same sad predicament.
My hopes for recovery, sympathies, and heartfelt best wishes will be of no use whatsoever to those involved, but still I would be obliged if you could pass on the feelings of a stranger. And similar sentiments to you, OP - it is a devastating thing to happen to a family.
My nephew went through this (the insurance company was LV) and I can assure you the solicitors/barristers had his best interest at heart. The insurance company had no input into their actions at all.
I hope so too. This morning she came out of her induced coma with the swelling on her brain now reduced. Albeit the medication only allows a small amount of time, she can now open her eyes and understand what is being said, a promising thing. Sadly she also has a spinal injury and currently after being prompted, is unable to move any limbs. I believe it may be possible in time that this could change.
It is truly horrific to hear the extent of injury and cannot imagine the pain suffered, especially given a matter of wrong place, wrong time.
I'm really sorry to hear this Alex. My thoughts are with your family.
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
Very sorry to hear this terrible news. As regards legal advice, if you don't already have a lawyer, then Which Legal might be a good starting point? You could call them and see if they have the relevant expertise and, if they do, then become a member (£86pa). I haven't ever used them, but I am a long-standing Which subscriber and thought they would be a good port of call if I ever needed legal assistance. Best of luck!
http://legalservice.which.co.uk/
So sorry to hear about this - hopefully things will work out better than you hope for.
Don't think there is a legal definition of next of kin and is open to interpretation by the hospital. Strictly it is a blood relative (not even spouse).
If you utilise the legal expense cover on her car insurance policy the claim won't be dealt with by a claims handler at her insurance company, they pass it on to solicitors. However, solicitors these days use a lot of unqualified claims handlers, and though their work will ultimately be signed off by an actual solicitor, a lot of the day-to-day work will be dealt with by someone who is essentially an administrator in a call centre.
Having said that, with injuries that serious it should be dealt with by a qualified solicitor throughout.
I'm currently using pattinson brewer http://pattinsonbrewer.mobi/ for a claim regarding a fairly serious accident I was in. They seem good. I've never been in this position before but they seek to know what they're doing. It's a brutal system of quantifying damage financially and they seem keen to progress to a definite figure, but I suppose they all are like this.
Catastrophic injuries such as this are a specialism in their own right but, sadly, a lot of personal injury lawyers seem deluded enough to think they are capable of dealing with them with little experience. You are absolutely right OP to help your friend in finding the right lawyer and to avoid the legal expense insurers panel solicitors.
As a starting point, I would have a look on the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. It's easy enough to become a member but you need someone accredited.
Try this:
http://www.apil.org.uk/why-choose-an-apil-lawyer
Thanks all for the compassionate words and advice given, will follow them all up.
I should have clarified with my earlier post that the solicitors did task a rehab firm whom organised Physio and funded some.workplace alterations for me, so they can do more than just seek compo. I.truly hope you manage to find a resolution to this terrible situation.
Steve
I have no personal experience but these guys are highly regarded for their catastrophic injury work.
http://hmsolicitors.co.uk/who-we-are/accreditations/
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