Gocompare.com provides new research showing personal injury firms have contacted 1 in 5 British motorists. They have done so either by text, phone or mail suggesting that they could pursue damage claims for injuries caused in an accident.
This research reveals that 11 per cent would consider contacting a ‘no win- no fee’ service to claim compensation even if they were not that badly injured. Of the respondents 3 per cent admit to having contacted a personal injury firm for compensation even though the injuries were not that bad.
Key findings of the research include:
– 21% of drivers have been approached by personal injury lawyers
– 3% have used no win-no fee lawyers to get compensation for minor injuries
– 33% feel that personal injury lawyers are pushing up the cost of insurance
– 11% of drivers would consider making a claim after a minor accident
– 52% feel that the UK is developing a ‘blame and claim’ culture
– 47% feel that people who are genuinely injured are entitled to compensation
– 13% feel that personal injury lawyers provide a useful service
A majority of British motorists feel that the UK is developing a ‘blame and claim’ culture. Only 13 per cent believe in the usefulness of services provided by personal injury lawyers.
However, 47 per cent of respondents feel that if someone was genuinely injured in a road accident they should be entitled to compensation.
Just over 1 per cent of respondents say that they have been badly injured in an accident and the compensation they received was invaluable in helping them to carry on their previous lifestyle.
Lee Griffin, Gocompare.com’s chief operating officer, commented, “Personal injury claims are a major factor of insurance premium inflation. Our research shows that millions of drivers have been contacted by personal injury firms encouraging them to make injury claims following minor accidents. If everyone took up their offers the effect on the insurance industry and legal system would be catastrophic with the costs undoubtedly passed on to drivers in the shape of huge insurance premium rises. Whilst it is perfectly reasonable for someone with a genuine claim to receive compensation for injuries sustained in an accident, it is time to put a stop to the UK’s growing ‘blame and claim’ culture before it gets out of control. The only people who will ultimately benefit from this ambulance chasing are the personal injury lawyers themselves.”
Source : Gocompare.com
