Do you have to go to your car insurer for an injury claim?

Many people do not know that it is possible to go elsewhere for a claim if they’ve been injured in a road traffic accident. Instead, they assume they must go to their car insurer.

Does it matter?

A case in Dundee drives home the difference it makes when you go to independent, specialist solicitors for a road traffic injury claim – rather than your car insurer.

Mrs Stuart and her husband were both hurt when a lorry crashed into them on the Kingsway, causing their car to spin onto the central reservation of the dual carriageway.

“It was all very scary. It all happened so quickly, we didn’t realise what was going on. I remember screaming and looking at my husband who was sheet white.

“Afterwards, the driver said he just hadn’t seen us.”

The car was written off and her husband was passed to panel solicitors in Glasgow after contacting his car insurer.

It wasn't until a couple of years later that Mrs Stuart contacted Digby Brown after a recommendation from a colleague. Our Dundee office took on her case for compensation.

“We just thought that was what you were meant to do if you were injured in a car accident – go to your insurer. 

“I just think everyone should know they don’t need to go through their car insurer if they’ve been injured – there are far more capable people out there that can help.”

In the end, her case settled for £10,000.

“My husband's case is rumbling on with the panel solicitors – it’s been over four years.

“It has been night and day the experience with Digby Brown. With the firm the insurers put us on to, we’ve had three people dealing with the case and never met any of them. There is no compassion for what we are going through, we’re simply another case to them. They don’t care and seem bored when we speak to them, it’s horrendous.

"I am delighted I came to Digby Brown instead, the service was second to none and I cannot be happier with the result.”

This is a story we hear time and time again. It is important that you seek legal advice from specialist solicitors. We have local offices across Scotland allowing people to meet with their solicitor face-to-face if need be and we are experts in personal injury law.

On average, we achieve three times the first offer for our clients.

Make sure you don’t leave your car injury claim in the wrong hands.

“I think insurance firms are all out for themselves and in each others pockets.

"It’s important people realise they don’t need to go via their car insurer, they can go elsewhere.”