Third party pulls out on 18 year old riding a 125
Our client was just under 18 at time of collision. Riding normally when Third Party pull out in front however this was disputed as Third Party states our client was overtaking stationary traffic.
Having taken instructions we disagreed with the allegations deciding to back our client (assisted by his litigation friend, Mum).
We obtained independent evidence of the damage to the bike (KTM Duke125) and was found to be beyond economical repair so this value was added to the claim along with some replacement hire bike costs and other expenses including getting an independent report on the nasty injuries sustained.
Our experience paid off for the client as being bikers we understood the circumstances of the incident and where the Third Party was wrong in their allegations surrounding the circumstances and who was at fault. After a period of negotiation, where we maintained our solid and robust position we secured an admission of fault from the Third Party insurers swiftly followed by an interim payment for the KTM 125 Duke and shortly after a payment for the other losses including the personal injury.
Sorrymate doing what it does best, everyday. Taking on cases that insurers don’t want to pay and winning.
- Published in Case Study
Sorrymate’s Fergus Dalgarno winning compensation in excess of £5 million
Fergus wins over £5 million in motorcycle accident compensation for our client
The specialist motorcycle accident team at Sorrymate.com have started the year winning damages in excess of £5 million for one of our clients who was unfortunately very badly hurt in a motorbike accident that wasn’t his fault.
Fergus Dalgarno has been working on this case for years and has given this client amazing support from his initial accident right through to the settlement of his case.
Our client suffered catastrophic injuries in the bike accident, and Fergus has been there daily to assist the client and his wife with ongoing issues regarding care, advice on medical treatments, obtaining interim damages payments, arranging for modifications to their home and finally arranging a settlement for them that enables them to continue their lives as comfortably as possible given the ongoing care this client now needs.
Fergus has been on hand throughout, calling and updating to see how the client was recovering, listening to worries and dealing with issues to help the client deal as much as possible with how his life had changed as a result of the accident.
The work was done on a no win no fee basis, which meant that the client did not have to pay for our services throughout this lengthy case, significantly reducing the stress that dealing with the aftermath of an accident can cause. Sorrymate.com arranged for medical experts to assist our client’s rehabilitation and liaised with them to obtain medical reports necessary to demonstrate to the defendant insurers the extent of our client’s injuries and the impact they had had on his life and that of his family. We instructed a leading counsel to represent our client at the various hearings on the route to settlement and ensured that the outcome we obtained was the best possible outcome that could have been obtained for our client. We always strive to achieve maximum compensation settlements for our clients, and will always take whatever steps are needed to achieve this.
This personal interest in our clients is what makes our team so different from other law firms. As bikers ourselves, the team are well aware of the dangers of being out on the road, how vulnerable bikers can be and the type of injuries that can be sustained as a result of an accident.
- Published in Case Study
Motorcyclist seriously injured in Isle of Man
Case summary
When you go on holiday to the Isle of Man to watch the TT the last thing you expect is to be carted off to Nobles Hospital by Air Ambulance because someone else doesn’t know what they are doing.
That’s exactly what happened to our client. He contacted Sorrymate and Fergus took on the case.
Interesting (at least lawyers might find it interesting) is the fact that the Isle of man has a separate legal system so the first hurdle was making sure we could look after him.
Once that was sorted, months of rehabilitation, all paid for by the insurance company of the other party, commenced and ultimately we managed to recover a gross settlement of £155,000.00.
He is now back on a bike and has also returned to the Isle of Man on more than one occasion.
Want Sorrymate to represent you?
If you want advice from specialist biker-lawyers fill out the contact form and we will get in touch at a time that is suitable for you.
Alternatively you can call 0800 6300 301.
- Published in Case Study
Motorcyclist badly injured in accident
Case summary
We recently settled a claim on behalf of a motorcyclist badly injured in an accident.
She was riding along a country lane without a care in the world. She was passing the entrance to a private school when a car driver (in the middle of an argument with his passenger) pulled out of the driveway straight into her.
She broke both wrists, and had other minor injuries. Breaking both wrists has a serious impact on the ability to do anything, and she was reliant on friends and family for a while. She was unable to work, and as a self employed photographer who had just begun to pick up work post-pandemic, this was a real blow.
Added to all that stress, the driver of the car refused initially to accept that the accident was his fault! We refused to take “no” for an answer, though, and eventually managed to get a full settlement for the injuries, loss of earnings and other expenses.
Most importantly, the client is back on a ‘bike and enjoying her riding again.
Want Sorrymate to represent you?
If you want advice from specialist biker-lawyers fill out the contact form and we will get in touch at a time that is suitable for you.
Alternatively you can call 0800 6300 301.
- Published in Case Study
Going the extra mile or 70!
Fergus, one of our senior solicitors and bikers (40+ years on the road) has won 1000s of cases for fellow bikers.
We received an enquiry from a client who suffered a broken leg following an accident. They explained that on viewing the CCTV and ignoring his own version of events, their insurance company said they were at fault. Having listened to the client and seeking any excuse to get out for a ride, Fergus put on his leathers and took a 2-hour round trip to the scene and checked the sequence of the traffic lights where the incident occurred. Having taken in all the relevant facts Fergus took the opinion that our client was in the right, so we took the claim on (‘no win, no fee’) even though the other party’s insurers also held them to blame too. Following a very detailed letter to outline the true accident circumstances, an admission from the other side’s insurers followed and our client is now looking at a five-figure settlement.
The extra mile (or in this case 70 miles) made the difference and is an example of why we succeed where others fail.
This is another reason over 25% of our new clients transfer their claims from their insurance solicitors to move to us. Not many people are aware that if you are unhappy with the solicitors dealing with your claim you can transfer to another solicitor at any point while your claim is ongoing. All you need to do is notify the solicitors you want to transfer to fill out a simple form then they will handle the rest.
Talk to us today about your motorbike accident. If you fill out the contact us form and one of our specialist biker solicitors will call you at a convenient time or you can call 0800 6300 301.
- Published in Case Study
Motorist Jumps Lights and Sorrymate Fights Third Party Insurers to Prove Liability
This was one of those cases where the downright unfairness of the accident served to be the spur we needed to push and win this case.
Our client was on his bike on a ride out with his mate. They had filtered to the front of a queue and were stopped at traffic lights with their feet down waiting for the lights to change.
Once the lights changed our client slowly moved forward to be hit at speed from the right by a BMW that had jumped a red light and hit our client side on, taking him clean off his bike.
Very fortunately our client escaped from serious injury, but then began a case to prove it wasn’t his fault.
You’re probably thinking have I read that right? It’s not immediately the fault of the driver jumping the light? But that was exactly the situation we found ourselves in.
We registered the claim when it came through to us as we would normally do and after some investigation the insurers of the third party vehicle came back to say that they considered the accident was not their client’s fault. Clearly, someone hadn’t been entirely truthful with their version of events, and it was put to us to prove the third party fault.
Luckily, as our client had been at the front of traffic at a set of lights, there were cars both behind him, and also coming in the other direction, who had an excellent view of both the accident and its timing.
At the scene of the accident many of these cars stopped and offered first aid assistance to our client, but also their details incase witnesses were needed..and how invaluable this was.
These witness statements were sent through to the third party insurers and proved that not only was their client not being truthful about the incident, but that he was also at fault for the accident.
RESULT?
We won this case, and our client is now back on his bike and recovering well from his injuries.
It serves a useful warning however, that left to using his own insurers, our client may well have ended up with no settlement at all and also had on his insurance records that his was an at fault accident.
Always seek an alternative to going through your own insurer. You are entitled to do so and will end up with a much better outcome.
Always get witness details and take as many photographs as you can at the scene. Remember that not everyone is as honest as you!
If you have an accident call Sorrymate.com. Its what we do best
- Published in Case Study
Motorcyclist lost consciousness in the accident and couldn’t remember a thing
This motorcycle accident shows how important it is to have a legal team on your side who are willing to go the extra mile on your claim.
One of our solicitors Liz was called by a gentleman asking for our help as he had been in a motorcycle accident.
Unfortunately he had been knocked unconscious in the accident, and the next he knew was waking up in hospital with a broken wrist.
All he knew was that he had gone into the back of a car. He didn’t know exactly where the accident had happened as he was not on a familiar route, and he had no idea of the registration number of the car he had it.
He had two vague memories whilst slipping in and out of consciousness which were viewing his motorcycle smashed on the road from the ambulance, and being told by the ambulance crew that there were cars parked illegally on the nearside of the road immediately after a left-hand bend. The occupants had pulled over suddenly to look at something.
He had tried to claim for his accident with his own insurance company but the solicitors he was put in touch with couldn’t take his case on without further details.
He felt he had hit a dead end. His call to Sorrymate.com changed all that for the better!
We knew that his motorbike had been damaged in the accident and would have been recovered from the scene. We had the details of the recovery company who had been instructed to recover the motorbike that day and we got in touch with them.
The recovery company were able to give us the details of the police reference number.
We contacted the police and were then able to obtain details of the car driver and their insurance company.
At last we had the details we needed! We contacted the third party insurance company for the car which had suddenly pulled up, and they accepted liability for the accident.
Our client was delighted and has recently been compensated for his injuries and is back on his new bike!
We take on all cases, no matter how difficult they may seem.
How can SorryMate help you?
If you have been knocked off your bike, it can often feel like there is no one to turn to, to help you get back on. SorryMate are there for bikers who need legal advice when they have been knocked off their bike by a car, injured themselves due to potholes or poor road surfaces, or when they have been involved in an accident with other road users or pedestrians.
We are bikers, just like you, and understand the distress an accident can have. We want to make our roads safer, and we go after those who don’t.
SorryMate deal exclusively with motorbike accident compensation claims. We are made up of a team of specialist personal injury motorcycling lawyers, registered with the SRA, that can help you recover your deserved compensation.
Find out today if you have a claim for compensation by completing an enquiry form or by calling 0800 6 300 301.
- Published in Case Study
A collision caused multiple injuries
Our client was on the main road when another driver came from a side road to the left and crashed into him causing multiple injuries. This case was transferred to us because our client was unhappy with his own insurance company solicitors. They had done nothing about his bike despite him asking many times. We got the file – arranged an engineer and sorted payment for his bike and then arranged a medical and sorted his injury and damaged kit claim.
25% of our clients transferred from their previous solicitor. Why? because we are specialist-biker lawyers. Just like you we have had accidents ourselves and understand how stressful it can be. Oh and not to mention we care about you and your bike too!
“I started going through my insurance solicitors and was waiting for days or a week for a response and got sick and tired of waiting and then boom Sorrymate was on the radio. The response was incredible and so professional it’s unreal. A couple of months later my case was settled. I can’t thank my appointed solicitor enough. Definitely recommend them to anyone.” Kieran partridge.
- Published in Case Study
Biker successfully claims for muddy road
Our client came off his motorbike as a result of excessive mud on a country road. We pursued a local farmer, and their insurers met the claim.
The client was proceeding at approximately 40mph, hit the mud, and this caused him to come off his motorbike, the bike then rolled on top of him. We successfully claimed damages and injuries to his neck and shoulder, policy excess as the client went through this insurance, damaged kit and travel expenses.
If you or someone you know has had a similar accident, get in touch with us today.
- Published in Case Study
A Roundabout Nightmare
In October 2017, Paul and Julie, rider and pillion, were returning home from a day at Brands Hatch watching the bikes.
They were proceeding on the roundabout and heading towards the exit ramp for the M25 at junction 3.
A third-party car was to the left of Mr Saunders’ bike and failed to take the exit, cutting across his path and into a collision. The third-party disputed their liability.
However, SorryMate had a good witness who supported Mr Saunders’ version of events. The police report also put the third party in the wrong lane, but the Police did not prosecute. After the disclosure of a witness statement and a police report, liability was finally conceded by the third-party in March 2018.
Mr Saunders sustained broken ribs, shoulder, arm and wrist injury. He had also damaged kit, travel expenses, and lost holidays. Thankfully, he was awarded damages of £9850.00 in September 2018. The pre-accident value of their Triumph Street Triple was also valued at £3533.20.
Unfortunately, Julie Saunders, the pillion, was more seriously injured. She sustained left leg fracture – comminuted tibia and fibula. An operation was required to fix the fracture with intramedullary nailing, and there was delayed healing.
Julie also lost a lot of movement in her leg affecting her knee and ankle. There is scarring present from the wound and operation.
She is a self-employed personal trainer, so her employment was greatly affected. There has been a long recovery but, as she is a personal trainer, she put a lot of effort into her recovery.
Julie has made a remarkable recovery and regained movement and strength (although not as much as prior to the accident). Julie went back to work after 14 months and started to build up her clients again. Amazingly, a full recovery anticipated by medical expert.
For her compensation, there was a significant injury and loss of earnings claim. She had damaged kit, medical, travel expenses and a care and assistance claim. In October 2020, damages were agreed at £55,000.00.
Paul and Julie Saunders thanked SorryMate for helping them with their claim, and in particular Stephanie Phillips and Fergus Dalgarno who looked after their case. They said:
Many thanks, I have now received the settlement payment with respect to my claim.
Paul and I have been very satisfied with the service you and Fergus have provided and whilst we hope not to have to use your services again would have no hesitation in doing so.
Our case was dealt with care, understanding and attention to detail with a professional but personal service and we recommended you highly within our fellow biking community.
How can SorryMate help you?
If you have been knocked off your bike, it can often feel like there is no one to turn to, to help you get back on. SorryMate are there for bikers who need legal advice when they have been knocked off their bike by a car, injured themselves due to potholes or poor road surfaces, or when they have been involved in an accident with other road users or pedestrians.
We are bikers, just like you, and understand the distress an accident can have. We want to make our roads safer, and we go after those who don’t.
SorryMate deal exclusively with motorbike accident compensation claims. We are made up of a team of specialist personal injury motorcycling lawyers, registered with the SRA, that can help you recover your deserved compensation.
Find out today if you have a claim for compensation by completing an enquiry form or by calling 0800 6 300 301.
- Published in Case Study
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