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19.12.08 The insurance industry in the UK are
lobbying hard with the Ministry of Justice to downgrade
road traffic accident (RTA) claims in the hope of
removing solicitors from the process. It is argued
that RTA claims are very simple and the majority of
injuries sustained are straightforward whiplash type
cases which DO NOT require legal assistance. The
insurers say they have systems in place to adequately
compensate innocent accident victims and to provide
rehabilitation - without the need for lawyers to get
involved. APIL and indeed every legal practitioner in
the country who deals with such claims - profoundly
disagree with this argument. Whilst some
RTA claims
are indeed simple and straightforward, the majority are
definitely not. Whiplash injuries can vary in their
complexity and many insurers have uneven playing fields
in terms of how they assess compensation levels. Many
insurers use computer software to place a value on a
compensation award and they are pretty inflexible when
it comes to their method of negotiation. "Computer
says NO" is heard in insurance offices across the land
and not just on Little Britain! APIL recognise the
reality of the situation and are working hard to argue
against any rash moves by the MOJ to "dumb down" the
road accident claim process. They have asked for
feedback from solicitors on the complexities involved in
day to day RTA cases and have been overwhelmed by the
response. Discussions with the MOJ continue and one
can only hope that common sense prevails. More
on road
injury compensation claims and
whiplash related claims in the UK. MORE
MOTORING LEGAL NEWS
MIB explained - more information about handling hit
and run or uninsured claims - 11th November 2008
Winston Solicitors launch
Law Chat, a law blog written by lawyers discussing the hot legal
topics of the day - 22nd October 2008
Harsher sentencing for drivers who cause serious
accidents whilst using mobile phones or eating whilst at
the wheel - 28th August 2008 MORE ON ROAD
ACCIDENT CLAIMS:
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