It’s true.  The Law Society does have a DIY guide to help with the process of personal injury, and to assist individuals if they decide to become a Litigant in Person (LIP) to bring a personal injury small claim to trial.  Unfortunately, as TM Law’s Terry Maylin points out…the majority of cases are not straightforward and DIY’ers may well come across some rather serious pitfalls.

Personal Injury – Why to avoid DIY

Insurance companies are businesses.  They are acting with their shareholders best interest at heart, not yours.

One way of increasing or maintaining profits is to pay out nothing, or as little as possible.  They are not motivated to pay out under the policies they issue.

Standard practice for the majority of insurance companies we deal with is to issue what we refer to as a ‘low-ball’ offer first.  They test the water, in order to see how low an offer they can ‘get away with’.  This early offer approach also enables them to save on medical report fees and court fees, if the claimant accepts straight away.

As an experienced personal injury lawyer I have experienced countless examples of this ‘low-balling’ tactic by insurance companies.  In once recent instance a client of mine was offered £50 initially.  Following a well executed claim process by TM Law this was eventually increased to a financial settlement of £8,000, plus his legal costs.

The Law Society DIY Guide includes help for areas including;

• How to gather evidence
• How to complete the online form
• How to Obtain medical evidence
• How to issue court proceedings

and more…

All useful reading, but not an approach TM Law’s Terry Maylin, who is a member of The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) as well as a member or the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel would recommend.  He says:

“APIL aims for everyone in our society to understand the importance of a right to redress for suffering needless harm, whether or not you have experience of the personal injury system. As a longstanding member I am determined to do all I can to support these aims, at TM Law we are aligned to APIL’s campaign and like the Association, we are determined to do all we can to ensure that some harmful and misguided perceptions about personal injury are turned around.

The personal injury claim process is complicated, with pitfalls at every turn.  Add to that the fact that, as a Litigant in Person (DIY’er), you’ll be taking on experienced and determined insurance companies and the reasons why we always advise clients to  choose a qualified and experienced personal injury solicitor to act on their behalf should be clear.”

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About TM Law – Specialist Personal Injury Solicitor

Based in Hockley, Essex, TM Law is a small and dedicated solicitors.  With many years’ experience, helping businesses and local individuals with matters of personal injury, Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney, compromise agreements, employment disputes, debt collection, commercial disputes and much more.

Led by Terry Maylin, TM Law’s knowledge of the personal injury complaint process, compensation process as well as the financial aid schemes available is second to none and we make no distinction between cases funded by private means, trade unions or legal-expenses insurance.

Terry Maylin is a member of The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) as well as a member or the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel.  A highly experience and well respected personal injury practitioner dedicated to your individual case.

If you have suffered an accident and feel a local, experienced personal injury solicitor would serve you well do get in touch.  We’re always happy to help.