Need some spare cash? Have a small accident and fake an injury.

[Gaygle]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14590188

A good little explanation about why our motor premiums are rising. TLDR – Whippy compo.

Why can’t we just introduce a scheme like Irelands? What is standing in the way? Or even like Germany’s. Even that would help to stem the problem, because let’s face it, if you’re rear ended at 6mph, you’re fine. There should be no case unless the claimant has a valid reason (ie. they’re old/frail, they have a history of bone, joint or muscular problems).

I for one am sick of this claim culture that has gripped this country. The thing it has ever achieved is to help lawyers line their pockets with your cash.

 

[GeX]

Why can’t we just introduce a scheme like Irelands? What is standing in the way? Or even like Germany’s.

Tell us about them.

 

[mattyfez]

Yes please tell/link - sounds interesting...

 

[merlin]

Read the link if you want to know what Ireland/Germany do.

 

[BlastRadius]

In Ireland, similar problems were addressed a few years ago by introducing a new scheme that takes lawyers out of the equation.

Motor premiums fell by 16% in the first two years of the scheme's operation.

Finally, we need to seriously consider how we contain the growth in whiplash claims.

A number of countries have taken action.

In Germany for example, there can be no claim for whiplash where the shunt takes place under 10km/h (6.2mph).

For the lazy

 

[sanofi]

We are seeing a worringly increasing trend of these types of claims.

 

[Irish_Tom]

It does seem to be the default setting for some people.

When I had my little incident in May, the guy I went into was grabbing his back before he had even stepped out of the car and he kept mentioning it while we exchanged details.

I got a bigger jolt from the airbag going off than I did from the impact.

 

[Judgeneo]

It is strange that whilst the NHS spends about £8m a year treating genuine whiplash, insurers pay out around £2bn in compensation.

My neck suddenly seems to hurt.

 

[IAmATeaf]

It is crazy that after an accident the insurance companies themselves are referring the 3rd parties involved so that they get the referral fee, but these 3rd parties will in the end make a claim against them

Very much akin to saving money on food by gnawing at your own legs?

 

[Vonhelmet]

It is crazy that after an accident the insurance companies themselves are referring the 3rd parties involved so that they get the referral fee, but these 3rd parties will in the end make a claim against them

Very much akin to saving money on food by gnawing at your own legs?

It'll somehow work out cheaper that way, no doubt.

 

[Souleh]

because let’s face it, if you’re rear ended at 6mph, you’re fine.

On what authority do you say this?

I had a bump in the back a few years ago when I was in school and did claim for loss of earnings due to being bed bound for a week. They also paid out for damages caused after a doctors report.

I was sat still in traffic and was hit from behind at no massive speed but maybe 10mph?? It was 2 cars back and the car that was initially hit came into the back of me.

I received compensation but i'd pay every penny of it back if I thought id never have the same back ache I have from it.

The truth is.. people dont pay enough attention on the roads. Its blindingly obvious that everyones too busy to keep eyes front. You see it daily and driver standards and education simple aren't good enough.

Fix the problem not the symptoms

 

[Vonhelmet]

On what authority do you say this?

I had a bump in the back a few years ago when I was in school and did claim for loss of earnings due to being bed bound for a week. They also paid out for damages caused after a doctors report.

I was sat still in traffic and was hit from behind at no massive speed but maybe 10mph?? It was 2 cars back and the car that was initially hit came into the back of me.

I received compensation but i'd pay every penny of it back if I thought id never have the same back ache I have from it.

The truth is.. people dont pay enough attention on the roads. Its blindingly obvious that everyones too busy to keep eyes front. You see it daily and driver standards and education simple aren't good enough.

Fix the problem not the symptoms

So you dispute his claim that people rear ended at 6mph are fine with your story of being rear ended at 10mph?

 

[Scougar]

I was stood in a supermarket with the lady behind the deli counter telling a friend of her's that they should claim for whiplash after a minor accident. The guy says something like "I wasn't injured, it was too slow", and the reply was something like "so what, you can make some money".

That is the problem... it's SOOOO open for abuse nowadays. Compensation culture has been allowed by allowing solicitor firms to advertise in the manner in which you see on TV/papers etc. Especially the "nothing to lose" one's. Disgusting.

They reality is that these firms don't care whether or not your claim is genuine, they just want to make money from you, it's not about getting justice (as I'm sure we all know).

 

[Gaygle]

On what authority do you say this?

The German government seem to think that it's the case.

I had a bump in the back a few years ago when I was in school and did claim for loss of earnings due to being bed bound for a week. They also paid out for damages caused after a doctors report. I was sat still in traffic and was hit from behind at no massive speed but maybe 10mph?? It was 2 cars back and the car that was initially hit came into the back of me.I received compensation but i'd pay every penny of it back if I thought id never have the same back ache I have from it.

I said 6mph, your accident was at almost double that. I can't comment on your case, but everyone that i know who has received compensation for whiplash has not been affected at all by whiplash and openly state they're just doing it for the easy money. For everyone 1 case like you say yours is, there must be a 100 where people are doing it for quick and easy money. Out of interest, what were your loss of earnings whilst you were at school?

I refuse to believe for one minute that someone can get whiplash from a 6mph bump. 6mph is mild jogging speed. The most that would happen would there would be a slight jolt in the car.

The truth is.. people dont pay enough attention on the roads.

That's true, but there will ALWAYS be people who don't concentrate or drive too close. By all means hammer the message home to "keep your distance" but the claim culture needs to be brought down too. And this means people need to understand that being in a very minor bump, and even having a slightly sore back for a day or two does NOT entitle you to £3000 worth of compensation. The whole idea of it is ridiculous and people have been able to get away with it for too long, which is why it's proving hard to reverse.

Fix the problem not the symptoms

That's a bit like saying - "Don't arrest car thieves, fix the reasons that made them car thieves" - both need to be address as urgently as each other.

As a person who has received a large amount of compensation, i'm somewhat not surprised that this is your view. For the rest of us, however - we would like the ridiculous claim culture gone for good.

 

[Souleh]

What value do you put on years of pain? Inability to play your favourite sport for months (Like I had to...) etc..

The simple fact is if more people paid more attention to the road then less claims would be put through. Its nothing like your analogy. Theft is a pre-meditated choice and crashing into someone because you weren't paying attention is just carelessness.

Its like the whole brigade of "Wrap motorbikers head to toe in hi-vis clothing to stop accidents!" - No. It again boils down to people either not paying attention or intentionally driving poorly on the roads.

Fix peoples inability to drive, fix the problem.

FYI - I believe the law is either changing or changed that prevents this no win - no fee culture by preventing lawyer fee's being included in claim money.

This will somewhat help the oppertunists.

 

[Souleh]

Oh and I worked 35 hours a week in school. Not everything comes on a silver spoon

 

[IAmATeaf]

It'll somehow work out cheaper that way, no doubt.

I personlly think it's more the mentality that we might as well get something back just in case the 3rd party does lodge a claim but selling the details must increase of the odds of a claim surely.

I used to do quality auditing years and my motto then was if you won't like the answer then don't ask the question.

 

[Meridian]

When I had my little incident in May, the guy I went into was grabbing his back before he had even stepped out of the car and he kept mentioning it while we exchanged details.

I got a bigger jolt from the airbag going off than I did from the impact.

While he may have been taking the michael, it's a little more complicated. Usually whiplash doesn't appear for a couple of days, but the initial pain can appear immediately. For those who aren't aware, whiplash is (IIRC) usually just inflammation of the tendons that pull the head forwards and down. It obviously takes a while for them to inflame, but as will all such strains, sometimes you feel it at the time. And since the strain is caused by the muscles tightening in reflex to stop the head whipping backwards (yes, physicists, I'm talking relative motion) then clearly the driver doing the striking won't get whiplash as their head is going forwards.


M

 

[Vonhelmet]

I personlly think it's more the mentality that we might as well get something back just in case the 3rd party does lodge a claim but selling the details must increase of the odds of a claim surely.

I used to do quality auditing years and my motto then was if you won't like the answer then don't ask the question.

Thinking back, I think I remember hearing that the insurance companies sell out your details because they know someone is going to do it, and they'd rather be the person doing the referring and getting the money if someone is going to.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

On what authority do you say this?

I had a bump in the back a few years ago when I was in school and did claim for loss of earnings due to being bed bound for a week. They also paid out for damages caused after a doctors report.

I was sat still in traffic and was hit from behind at no massive speed but maybe 10mph?? It was 2 cars back and the car that was initially hit came into the back of me.

I received compensation but i'd pay every penny of it back if I thought id never have the same back ache I have from it.

The truth is.. people dont pay enough attention on the roads. Its blindingly obvious that everyones too busy to keep eyes front. You see it daily and driver standards and education simple aren't good enough.

Fix the problem not the symptoms

What I'd like to know is did the compensation make your back better?