Ensuring speedy car replacement and fair compensation when you have had a road traffic accident

Where you have been invlved in a Road Traffic Accident the most immediate issue is that you get back on the road. Whether that means getting your vehicle fixed immediately or arranging car-hire, at Morgan McManus we will make immediate contact on your behalf with the other driver`s Insurers in order to get you back on the road.

Most importantly our Claims Advice Service provides motorists with the knowledge that their solicitor will deal with their motoring requirements as well as offering invaluable legal advice following their accident.

IMPORTANT : AVOID CLAIMS MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

Morgan McManus solicitors are pleased to update their clients on an issue which is affecting those involved in road traffic accidents. Increasingly injured parties are being approached by Claims Management Companies who offer to arrange for a replacement car, the repair of your vehicle and to nominate a solicitor to act on your behalf. This cover is generally offered in Northern Ireland when the car owner brings their vehicle to the garage for repair. In the immediate aftermath of an accident such assistance may be welcomed. However, by availing of such services you may expose you to significant and unnecessary costs and liabilities.

If you wish to have the use of a replacement vehicle, the Claims Management Company will require you to enter into a credit hire agreement with the provider of the vehicle under which you will have potential personal liabilities. If your claim is unsuccessful, these may be significant. Even if you are successful, you may be unable to recover all of the charges for the car hire from the at fault party as some Claims Management Companies charge a hire fee higher than ‘the going rate’ for car hire. In these circumstances you may be personally liable for these charges. Similar problems may also arise with regard to car repair costs.

The Claims Management Company may refer you to a firm of solicitors to handle your claim. They may insist that you instruct a firm from their panel of solicitors rather than your own solicitors.

You should be aware that:
• You are under no obligation to accept their choice of solicitor.
• You are free at all times to instruct your own solicitors.

Morgan McManus guarantee of service

We will ensure that you are provided with:

• A replacement vehicle
• Quick and efficient repair of your vehicle
• Maximum compensation for any injuries you may have sustained.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT ISSUE : DOORSTEPPING

The practices of certain insurance companies have also made life more difficult for accident victims seeking compensation. Certain insurers for the party responsible for the accident will attempt to settle any claim for compensation directly with the victim in the immediate aftermath of an accident. For further information, see our website page on Third Party Capture

You should NEVER under any circumstances settle a claim for personal injuries without the benefit of a medical report and independent legal advice.

Failure to consult your own solicitors, when approached directly by an insurance representative, will almost certainly result in you receiving less than your full entitlement for any personal injuries you may sustain.

You should NEVER allow an Insurance Company to pressurise you into accepting less than your case is worth.

As a valued client we advise that you contact Morgan McManus solicitors by phone or by email without delay if you have been involved in an accident.

For further information on what you should do in the aftermath of an accident please refer to our web page – the “Do’s and Don’t’s at Road Traffic Accident Scenes”

Your first call after a car accident should always be to your own solicitor.

For further information on Accident Claims and to download our Accident Claims Guide

*In contentious claims, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.