Call back for new
personal injury claims only

Leave your details to request a call back.

* Required fields

Name: *

Telephone No:*

What is it regarding:* New Personal Injury Claim Conveyancing Criminal Matter Employment Matter Wills Existing Case

Union member:* Yes No     

If you are a member of a trade union please select Yes otherwise please select No and then click Submit

You are in: Home Page | News Desk | News Story

21st November 2008

Union Trebles Compensation Payment to £6,500

Compensation awarded after Car Accident

Andrea Crook, 59, from Houghton-le-Spring suffered severe whiplash injuries when the car in which she was a passenger in was hit from behind by an articulated lorry.

She suffered from 12 months of chronic pain in her neck and shoulders due to rheumatoid arthritis which was exacerbated by the accident. She was also left with a fear of travelling as a passenger in a car.

In what is an emerging pattern Mrs Crook’s car insurers advised her to instruct one of their recommended firms of solicitors. The insurance company’s law firm advised Mrs Crook her claim would be settled for damages between £1,600 and £2,000.

Mrs Crook contacted her GMB Northern’s legal officer for a second opinion who in turn referred her to Thompsons Solicitors.

UK's most experienced Personal Injury Lawyers

Thompsons Solicitors are the UK’s most experienced personal injury lawyers and it soon became clear that Mrs Crook was still suffering from the psychological effects of the accident and the offer was far too low.

Not only did Thompsons achieve a settlement of £6,500 for Mrs Crook, substantially more than the original advice from her insurer’s solicitors, they also made sure the other driver’s insurers paid for her to receive treatment to help her successfully combat her fear of travelling as a passenger in a car.

She said: “I am so glad I contacted the GMB for a second opinion. I felt the original advice I was given for the amount of compensation expected was low for the pain and suffering I had gone through. I was also still affected by the accident but I am no expert at these things, it was just a hunch that it didn’t seem right. I was at a loss about what to do.

“The GMB and Thompsons got me help to overcome my fear of being a passenger and they have helped me to receive a substantially higher level of compensation than I was first advised. I wouldn’t go with a law firm recommended by an insurance company again.”

Victims of Road Accidents are not obliged to instruct their insurance company's solicitors

GMB Northern Regional Secretary, Tom Brennan added: “Members of the GMB are able to use our legal services for free and this case highlights the expertise and experience that those solicitors have. We would encourage all of our members to contact our legal services first if they are unfortunate enough to be involved in a road accident.”

David Mole from Thompsons Solicitors added: “It is our experience that insurance panel solicitors go for quick settlements in cases like these.

“Victims of road accidents are not obliged to instruct their insurance company’s solicitors. At Thompsons we will always work to gain the maximum amount of compensation in the smallest amount of time for all of our clients.”

Personal Injury Compensation Claim Advice

If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury as a result of a road traffic accident, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.