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Driver sued for failing to make a fraudulent whiplash
What's My Claim Worth have extensive experience in dealing with road traffic accidents which have resulted in personal injury. If you have been involved in a road traffic accident which has resulted in personal injury, vehicle damage or other losses, you may be able to claim. Our team understand that it can be a very difficult and daunting time for both you and your family and we understand that the injuries you have suffered can have severe consequences on your day to day life. We are specialists in road traffic accident cases and we fight fearlessly to achieve the compensation that you deserve whilst offering sensitivity, professionalism and unparalleled legal expertise.
Driver is being sued for £1,100 because he refused to make a fraudulent whiplash claim
When Mr Hopper was hit by another driver in a road traffic accident back in 2010 he never thought he would be taken to court for failing to make a fraudulent whiplash claim.
Whilst waiting at a busy roundabout near his home in Somerset, the car behind him failed to stop and hit his car from behind. His car was slightly dented, so he exchanged details with the other driver and put the incident down to a bit of bad luck. He also suffered with a stiff neck for a while but, as a regular rugby player thought nothing of it and carried on as normal.
However, following the incident, Mr Hopper started to receive calls from claims management companies asking if he would like to make a claim for compensation for his injuries. He has no idea how the firms had managed to get hold of his personal details but on some days he received up to 5 calls per day. On each occasion he declined the offer and asked them to stop calling, but the nuisance calls continued for several months and in November 2010 he answered a call and was told 'Sir, there's £3000 with your name on it'. Mr Hopper states that at the time he was having a few money worries and thought that the money would come in handy, especially in the run up to Christmas. He also felt pressured to bring a claim and so he agreed to begin the claims process for compensation. He said: 'I'm not proud of it because I buckled, but it was a brilliant whiplash sales pitch from the claims guy and I could not say no to him.'
It wasn't until a few months later in January that he was contacted and requested to attend a medical appointment with a GP doctor who would assess his neck injuries for the claim. However, at this point all stiffness in his neck had long disappeared and he decided to cancel the claim as he did not want to lie to the doctor. He told the firm that he did not wish to pursue with the claim but later received a letter from them saying that as he had discontinued with the claim he was liable for their costs which amounted to £1,140.
He is now being summoned to a court hearing which could result in him being forced to pay the £1,140, unless it is shown that he was pressured to make a claim or subject to misrepresentation.
In his defence Mr Hopper has stated: 'I was coerced by a skilled, very plausible individual to bring a whiplash claim… When I fully reflected that I probably didn't have any effects of whiplash, I refused to go along with it and decided to tell the truth.'
Proven Expertise
What's My Claim Worth have recently settled a claim for a client who sustained whiplash injuries to his neck and shoulder when he was involved in a road traffic accident. The client was waiting at a busy roundabout when his car was hit from behind by another vehicle. As a result of the accident the client needed physiotherapy for a period of 6 months after the accident and he did not fully recover from the injuries until 8 months after the accident. After negotiations with the insurer of the other driver we recovered compensation in the sum of £2,820. The client received the full amount of his compensation as we were acting for him on a 'no win no fee' basis.
If you have been injured as a result of a road traffic accident or an injury of this nature has affected you in any way then you should not hesitate to contact us or to try our 'Calculate my claim' feature on the right side of this page to see what your claim may be worth. We understand that the injuries that you have suffered can have severe consequences on your day to day life. When fighting for your compensation we take into account if you have had to take time off work, if you have had to pay for medication and any other losses that you may have incurred. We are a reputable company with expert solicitors who will handle your claim professionally and will never pressure you into pursuing a claim for compensation.
If your claim is successful you will keep 100% of the compensation that is awarded, and that, win or lose, you will not pay any legal fees.
Call 0800 849 2220 to speak to a member of our specialist team of personal injury lawyers who will assist you further with this matter.