A woman has won a sizeable settlement figure after suffering whiplash and anxiety following a car collision, having declined a poor initial offer.

Mrs C was sitting in her stationary vehicle at a roundabout exit, waiting to merge. The defendant collided with the rear of Mrs C’s vehicle while she was stationary. As a result of the accident, Mrs C’s vehicle’s boot was completely destroyed and it was declared a write-off.

Mrs C decided to make a claim for the damage caused to her vehicle and the suffering she experienced as a result of the accident. She was put in touch with JMW Solicitors, where Legal Executive Cheryl Patel, acted on her behalf.

Cheryl assisted Mrs C with several things; she arranged for Mrs C to be provided with a hire car, and then for the defendant’s insurers to provide a cheque covering the cost of her car, which enabled her to purchase a replacement car.

Full medical assessment

Cheryl also ensured that Mrs C attended a General Practitioner to have a full medical assessment following the accident. The GP confirmed that Mrs C suffered whiplash injuries to her neck and mid to lower back, which caused her pain, particularly when she tried to turn her head. Mrs C also experienced problems sleeping properly and became distressed and anxious before and during driving as a result of the accident. She felt very upset in the days following the accident and the doctor assessed that her physical symptoms would resolve within a week or so, but that her psychological symptoms would take several months to fade.

Low offer refused

The defendant’s insurers made a low offer to settle the case that did not take into account Mrs C’s anxiety, loss of sleep and stress. Cheryl did not believe this offer was acceptable and issued proceedings on Mrs C’s behalf to take the matter to a County Court. Once Cheryl issued proceedings, the defendant’s solicitor made an offer that Cheryl and Mrs C was much more reasonable and addressed the issues that she had faced more fully. Mrs C chose to accept the offer on Cheryl’s advice.

When asked about the service she was provided, Mrs C said of Cheryl that she: “was keeping me up to date at all times of what was happening with the case (with e-mails or phone) and was answering the questions that I had at any moment.

“Also, the fact that she arranged for a hire car for my use a few days after the accident was very helpful, as it meant I was still able to get to work easily and without problems.”

Awarded a suitable figure

Cheryl’s hard work and unwillingness to accept a poor offer initial offer from the defendant’s insurers meant that Mrs C was awarded a settlement figure that properly accounted for her accident, and we feel this is exactly how a good claimant solicitor should act on behalf of their client. This hard work and preparedness to fight our clients’ corner is something that everyone at JMW is proud to do.