26 April 2009

recommendations for third party advice

| astrojax
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I’ve been quiet on this forum for the past week having been a stationary cyclist collected by a moving car last monday evening – my only foray onto the roads in a cyclepath trip home from near the gallery, so don’t go there…

As a consequence I have a lot of blurred vision (apologies now for the typos to come), a bit of bark off on knees, hips, head and stuff, and nine fractured ribs (twelve fractures in all) – ouch.

Just out of hospital this afternoon…anyway, not here to discuss the incident [as anyway i have no recollection and above ‘facts’ come from hospital and police advice] but rather just to see if anyone has enjoyed some good experiences with third party solicitors in the recent past they might care to recommend.

Shan’t be up to reading replies closely for a while (reading – looking at anything – is hard with this blurred vision) but would be keen to hear of your experiences.

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thanks bearded one! great first post and welcome advice – had also begun to think pedal power might have a good link to advice, so will be following that up, among other channels. and have noted the call to diligence in physio! ; )

Ditto sympathy.

I always feel it when one of the Bike Brethren (Cycle Sisterhood?), which include the petrol power varieties, cops it from a cur in a car. Particularly when it looks like their negligence. Very glad that you seem to have mates to lend a hand.

I wish you a speedy recovery, on all fronts.

re seeking legal advice- you might see if Pedal Power (www.pedalpower.org.au/contact/index.asp?IntContId=91) can recommend anyone suitable. I had a similar need in Syd-vegas (no other vehicle involved ‘tho) & found BicycleNSW linked up with a legal practice (not quite on retainer) & they were useful for a starting point, although the conversation had quite the ‘not billable hours’ tone to it. Note- The Pedal Power is not as “peak body” as Bicycle NSW & their office is open very limited hours of 12-2pm Mon, Thu & Fri.

Also, if you have damage to your limbs etc, be religious with getting & doing rehab. I was slack with mine & now don’t walk quite right. I guess cyclists get into a habit of movement in a limited range.

n00b- Well, my 1st t-RA post & hopefully it’s been constructive. Now I can get stuck in to the mel’ee on the other cycle related threads. 😉

Madame Workalot12:53 pm 28 Apr 09

boomacat said :

I worked with Charmaine Tunn of Baker Deane & Nutt a couple of years ago and she was very effective (tph 6230 1999). In my experience it is totally incorrect to say that Lawyers offer a lesser service because they are working on a “no win, no fee” type basis.

Also, if you are serious about this I would not recommend trying to run the matter yourself, insurance companies don’t give out compensation money easily, in my humble experience. Do people ever wonder why it takes about 5 or 6 years to get admitted to practise as a lawyer? There is actually some work involved in practising law, it requires a great deal of knowledge. But as I say, that’s just my opinion.

I have also used Charmaine before – she was ok, not spectacular. I think she’s pretty good for a straightforward claim, but anything with ongoing implications gets a bit tricky, and I think others may handle that better.

Hope you feel better Astro – our thoughts are with you 🙂

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

I worked with Charmaine Tunn of Baker Deane & Nutt a couple of years ago and she was very effective (tph 6230 1999). In my experience it is totally incorrect to say that Lawyers offer a lesser service because they are working on a “no win, no fee” type basis.

Also, if you are serious about this I would not recommend trying to run the matter yourself, insurance companies don’t give out compensation money easily, in my humble experience. Do people ever wonder why it takes about 5 or 6 years to get admitted to practise as a lawyer? There is actually some work involved in practising law, it requires a great deal of knowledge. But as I say, that’s just my opinion.

Sorry I missed you, Astro! Have left a message!

: )

… and following on, um, try to avoid the temptation of the No Win No Fee thing. It’s not a panacea. what a lot of them are offering is, if they take your case (and it has to be a simple earner), it’s essentially a form-filling service they offer. If it’s more complex, you may not get what you need.

A proper lawyer is a better go.

Also, the no win no fee thing results in them taking quite a large percentage of teh final payout, while a normal lawyer who charges you a set suite of fees will take less of what you end up getting.

I’m so sorry to hear this Astro. (I hope someone’s around to read you most of the replies!). That’s shocking, actually. If drivers can’t see cyclists, then what the hell can they see? There’s no excuse for it. I really hope you make a full recovery and come out of this OK.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Astro – get well soon mate.

+1. With broken ribs mate, try not to get a cold. The sneezing alone wouod do you in!

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy7:57 am 27 Apr 09

Astro – get well soon mate. Oh, and if a lawyer tries to screw you, you know where to post your rant…

hey nosey, thanks the clear-up; in my woozy fraile state imissed the tongue and the cheek! cheers!

i-filed, thanks too – the neuro team did a couple of cat scans and there are a couple miniscule clots on thefrotal cortex but they don’t have concerns re them – they have asked me back in if vision issues continue for eye clinic tests, so they seemed ok on the head hit – but note concern and will likely follow specialist route of – as the ads say – pain persists!

cheers all the recommendations…. (mebbe today granny?)

If you can get your head around it do the claim yourself. With a bit of research you can do a better claim than the solicitors anyway. They are a bit conveyor belt style and don’t really care about your injuries whereas you do.

Also the fee they charge you at the end you may as well take yourself to uni and complete a law degree before putting in the claim.

That would be really good, Astro!

: )

Be aware that the ‘no win no fee’ does not mean you are not going to pay a lot of expensive doctors (chosen by your legal people). One report in my case was a $2000 report which we found out later was a verbal one (perhaps a chat at a cafe?) and no use to us when the law firm became disinterested in the case. Nor does it mean you won’t have to pay the legal fees of the other party if they win. Ask lots of questions.

Astro, look after yourself. How carefully did the hospital investigate your head injury? RCH has been known to under-investigate. About four years ago a dude thought he was OK after a cycle injury and wasn’t. Please go to a private specialist and don’t rely on the hospital (though I endorse their services totally in most situations … )

Astro,

I am currently dealing with the guys at Stacks/Snedden Hall and Gallop… yet to have issues with them, but also yet to have my claim settled as my injuries are still persistent. But I do suggest calling around a few.. most have no win/no fee deal.

All the best mate… Hope your feeling better and back on your feet soon.

Ouch!!! Did the driver cop a neg driving or similar charge?

While I am still feeling a tad stupid I would like to add that I also hope the person/s who caused your damage did in fact stop to assist.

About two years ago a friend was hit while on her bike and she subsequently suffered some nasty, albeit non life threatening injuries.

The driver did not stop and she was left to assist herself.

She no longer rides and does not seem interested in ever riding again.

While I am all for you claiming compensation, my main hope is that you get back on the bike ASAP.

Good luck.

No.. not now.

Again…sorry.

Unfortunately my comment was not taken as tongue in cheek.

In now way as a fellow cyclist would I want anyone to meet harm in any way.

Apologies for not being crystal clear with my stupidly inconsiderate and unfunny comment.

I thought with the regularity of astrojax’s history of comments it would have been taken in jest.

there are lots of solicitors who do personal injury stuff or negligence as “no win, no fee” so look them up and give them a go

Sorry to hear about the crash. I hope the driver was brave enough to stop and assist?

You need to see a personal injury solicitor ASAP. David Chen from EBA Lawyers is someone I used to work with, he’s very good.

good on ya nosey, the riot has lost none of its inanity then..

ta the kind words all other – shall give you a call granny and say more in person – very sweet ; )

I was sure that Nosey must have been a friend of Astrojax and was just taking the p*ss.

If Nosey isn’t then ?!?!? I’m lost for words!!

Sounds like rotten luck astrojax. Hope you make a full recovery.

swamiOFswank said :

Sheesh, pull your head in, Nosey.

+1

swamiOFswank7:06 pm 26 Apr 09

Sheesh, pull your head in, Nosey.

All the best for a 100% recovery Astro.

I’ve been quiet on this forum for the past week having been a stationary cyclist collected by a moving car last monday evening – my only foray onto the roads in a cyclepath trip home from near the gallery, so don’t go there…

As a consequence I have a lot of blurred vision (apologies now for the typos to come), a bit of bark off on knees, hips, head and stuff, and nine fractured ribs (twelve fractures in all) – ouch.

Just out of hospital this afternoon…anyway, not here to discuss the incident…….

Then why nearly three paragraphs to begin with?

Astro, don’t have any recommendations but just had to say how glad I am that you’re still in the world and to let you know I’ll be thinking of you. Are you going to be ok for shopping, meals, etc? I can be contacted on 0414 880 784 if you need a little help from your friends. Get well, ok?

Love,
Granny

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