At Oliver & Co Solicitors, we have recently settled a claim for a driver in the sum of £65,000 who had been involved in a road traffic collision as a driver on a roundabout. The Defendant entered the roundabout and failed to notice our client who was correctly established on the roundabout.
Our client approached us in 2022 after struggling to reach a fair settlement with the Defendant’s insurers following a road traffic collision a year earlier. Although the Defendant had already admitted liability, the client had been offered just £10,000 based on medical reports obtained by the insurer.
The Importance of Independent Medical Evidence
Since these reports were commissioned by the Defendant, our client had limited ability to challenge their findings. The initial GP report suggested only a short-term soft tissue injury to the neck, but upon our advice, this report was disregarded. Instead, we obtained independent medical assessments, which revealed a more serious, long-term prognosis.
A consultant orthopaedic surgeon confirmed a permanent injury, allowing us to build a case for a potential disadvantage in the labour market. This also led to further evaluations by a pain management expert and a psychologist.
The client also suffered from an exacerbation of tinnitus. The Defendant’s ENT report estimated a two-year impact, but after we arranged a re-examination, the expert provided a prognosis of permanent exacerbation.
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Building the Case
With comprehensive, independent medical evidence from a specialist GP, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, pain management expert, psychologist, and ENT specialist, we were able to secure claims for past and future private treatment. This included tinnitus retraining therapy, two cycles of counselling, and future pain management treatment. Additionally, we pursued claims for disadvantage in the labour market, future medication costs, and loss of retraining opportunities.
Following the service of court proceedings and strategic negotiations, our client successfully settled their claim for a significantly higher amount than he had originally been offered.
Support, Communication, and Results
“At first, I tried to settle my case on my own, but after receiving a low offer, I decided to seek help. That’s when I found Oliver & Co. Allison took over my case and managed to secure a much-improved settlement. The journey was long and sometimes frustrating, particularly with medical assessments, but Allison made sure I was heard and arranged for me to see alternative specialists when needed. Despite the lengthy process, she kept me informed and ensured I was never forgotten. I’m grateful for her support throughout.”
Why Legal Advice Matters – Even in ‘Straightforward’ Claims
Pursuing what initially seems like a straight forward claim with the Defendant insurers directly can be a minefield and we would always recommend that at least initial advice is sought from a solicitor to see if they can maximise the settlement achieved. At Oliver & Co we represent many clients who have initially commenced a claim directly with the Defendants. If you feel that you require some help, please contact us by completing our enquiry form or emailing law@oliverandco.co.uk.
