How Lacey Solicitors Advanced a Personal Injury Claim to Court
When individuals are injured in road traffic accidents, insurers must carefully assess claims, review medical evidence and determine an appropriate valuation. It is entirely understandable that insurers will sometimes test claims or seek further information before making settlement proposals.
However, where liability has been admitted and the medical evidence is clear, it is important that the valuation of the claim properly reflects the injuries sustained.
This case study demonstrates how careful preparation and a willingness to proceed to court ultimately resulted in a judicial award of £25,000 in damages, together with legal costs.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive for a Road Traffic Accident in Northern Ireland?
Compensation for road traffic accidents in Northern Ireland depends on the nature and severity of the injuries sustained as we explained in our previous articles.
Courts assess damages using the Green Book Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages, which provide recommended valuation ranges for different types of injuries.
For example:
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Minor neck injuries with a quick recovery may attract awards of around £7000.00.
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More serious injuries may result in substantially higher awards depending on long-term impact
In addition to compensation for the injury itself, plaintiffs may also recover damages for:
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loss of earnings
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medical treatment costs
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travel expenses
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other accident-related losses
Each claim will depend on its own medical evidence and circumstances.
A Rear End Car Accident in Belfast
Our client was involved in a road traffic collision where she was travelling as a front seat passenger wearing a seatbelt when the vehicle she was travelling in was stationary at a roundabout. The vehicle was then struck from behind in a rear-end collision.
The force of the impact jolted her forwards inside the vehicle.
Immediately after the collision:
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She experienced a nosebleed and headaches
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Neck and upper back pain developed in the hours following the accident
She attended Mater Hospital in Belfast, where she was placed in a cervical collar and underwent imaging of her neck.
Injuries Sustained
Medical evidence confirmed that the accident caused several injuries, including:
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Whiplash type injury to the neck and back
- Nose Bleed
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Tinnitus
Following the accident, the client described developing a ringing in her ears, which she likened to a “clock ticking” sound.
In addition to the physical injuries, she reported feeling more cautious and hypervigilant when travelling in vehicles following the collision.
Medical Evidence in a Road Traffic Collision
The claim was supported by expert medical reports from a Consultant A&E Doctor in Belfast as well as an ENT Surgeon in Antrim.
The medical evidence also confirmed general whiplash and some mild tinnitus, a condition recognised in the Northern Ireland Green Book Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages as attracting awards up to approximately £20,000, depending on severity.
Early Settlement Discussions
The defendant’s insurer initially made settlement proposals of:
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£9000.
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10,000
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£12,500
Following review of the medical evidence and relevant valuation guidelines, Lacey Solicitors advised that these offers did not fully reflect the likely value of the claim.
A counter-proposal was therefore advanced by our office.
Rather than continue to engage however, the insurance company indicated that they would make no further offer and that all previous offers were revoked.
Strategic Considerations During Negotiations
In this case, liability for the accident had already been admitted, and the claim arising from the driver of the vehicle had already been resolved.
In those circumstances, and in light of the medical evidence available, Lacey Solicitors considered that the claim was capable of being properly valued and repeatedly invited the insurer to engage in further settlement discussions.
Unfortunately, neither the insurer, nor their chosen solicitors in Belfast were prepared to make any offer and allowed the matter to proceed to court.
Lacey therefore expedited the matter to a formal court hearing to allow the jugde to determine the value of the claim.
Court Award of £25,000.00 after Road Traffic Accident
After considering the evidence, the court awarded £25,000 in damages, together with legal costs.
This represented a substantially higher figure than the earlier settlement offers made during negotiations by the insurer.
It also meant that our client ultimately received a sum significantly greater than the £9,000 offer she had initially considered accepting.
Injury Solicitor Belfast – Road Traffic Accident Claims
If you have been injured in a road traffic accident in Belfast or anywhere in Northern Ireland, it is important to seek advice from an experienced injury solicitor in Belfast as early as possible.
Road traffic accident claims often involve complex issues including medical evidence, liability investigations and negotiations with insurers. An experienced solicitor can ensure that your claim is properly prepared, supported by the appropriate expert evidence and valued in accordance with the Northern Ireland Green Book Guidelines for the Assessment of Damages.
At Lacey Solicitors, our team regularly advises clients throughout Belfast and Northern Ireland on personal injury claims arising from:
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road traffic accidents
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accidents at work
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public liability incidents
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serious injury claims
Where settlement cannot be agreed, we are fully prepared to advance cases through the courts to ensure our clients receive the compensation to which they are entitled.
Speak to an Injury Solicitor in Belfast
If you have been injured in a road traffic accident or another type of accident, it is important to seek advice from an experienced injury solicitor in Northern Ireland.
At Lacey Solicitors, we regularly act in personal injury claims across Northern Ireland and understand the importance of presenting cases clearly, fairly and with the appropriate supporting evidence.
