| A new survey has suggested that claimants are | | | | average £289 more and their claims are settled 95 |
| vehemently opposed to the governments proposed | | | | days more quickly. Yet these figures are limited to a |
| reforms of the personal injury claims process. The | | | | narrow range of £1,000 to £25,000. |
| survey of over 1,000 claimants was undertaken by | | | | Although this survey suggests the public may be |
| Thompsons Solicitors and it collated opinions on the | | | | concerned about the quality of service they receive |
| proposal to fix the amount of costs a solicitor can be | | | | face to face with their own solicitor, it does address |
| paid. Most respondents felt that this would reduce | | | | one of the main problems that the government is |
| the time their lawyer would spend dealing with their | | | | trying to eradicate. When an insurance claim is made |
| case. | | | | there are multiple parties involved, the claimant and |
| The changes will force law firms to make | | | | the other party, there are third parties, the claimants |
| multimillion-pound investments in technology and | | | | insurers, the other party's insurers, and even a |
| people to meet new deadlines aimed at speeding up | | | | repairing garage and medical specialists. Insurers may |
| the system and driving down legal costs. Personal | | | | appoint a claims management company and they, or |
| Injury Solicitors will suffer the biggest brunt of the | | | | the insurers, may appoint lawyers. The claimant may |
| changes. | | | | also seek legal representation themselves. Considering |
| The majority of the claimants in the survey said that | | | | the amalgamation of parties with different interests, |
| it was important that people are made fully aware of | | | | you can see why the MOJ wants to encourage |
| their right to independent legal advice if they are | | | | greater transparency and simplicity in the process. |
| injured in an accident that is not their fault. | | | | Unfortunately the process is not simple and even the |
| The reforms could open up a whole new | | | | aspiration to reduce timeframes may not appreciate |
| multimillion-pound market for services before litigation | | | | the complications of the aftermath of an accident. |
| begins. Some insurers could look to subcontract | | | | Recommendations propose lawyers will have to |
| claims to solicitors, who would investigate liability on | | | | notify insurers of claims much earlier and insurers will |
| their behalf. | | | | have just weeks to admit or dispute liability. At |
| Although organisations like the Association of British | | | | present, there are no timeframes and claimants can |
| Insurers(ABI) are pressing for reform of the | | | | bring claims up to three years after the accident. It |
| insurance claims market, we should take their zeal | | | | takes an average of three years to settle claims. |
| with a pinch of salt. For example, the ABI states that | | | | Saurav is an author of several articles pertaining to |
| for personal injury claims of £1,000 to £25,000 | | | | No Win No Fee, Compensation Claims, Personal Injury |
| claimants without legal representation receive on | | | | Claims and other legal articles. |