Good local solicitors support genuine personal injury claims

A call by MPs to demand action on spiralling whiplash claims has highlighted the practice of insurance companies selling car accident claimants' details to third parties, with the aim of all parties making money.  This has prompted one national newspaper to describe it as a ‘£2bn racket turning us into a nation of fraudsters'.

However, solicitors from one local law firm that handles personal injury claims say that most solicitors are not benefiting in this way and are not ‘aiding and abetting mass fraud'.  John Hall of Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors says they are highly regulated and those who bend or break the rules get prosecuted.  He emphasised the importance of ethical personal injury lawyers who represent clients who have suffered loss of income or psychological problems following a road traffic accident which was not their fault. 

John Hall, managing partner with Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors who has more than 30 years' experience in this field, said: "It's all too easy to label all solicitors and insurers as fraudsters who are fuelling a rapid increase in whiplash claims for their own benefit.  However, it is vital to understand the importance of having a good local solicitor to turn to, one with proven expertise, if a car accident leaves you unable to live or earn as you did previously. 

"The legal profession in the UK is one to be proud of.  It is highly regulated, with lawyers working throughout their careers to further develop their skills, abilities and knowledge to serve their clients better.  Our clients tell us how much they value having access to a good local lawyer like Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors."

Julie Clayton, 51, of Hartlepool, was left disabled and unable to work following a car accident in 2007.  With help from Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors, she has successfully claimed for compensation.  Julie commented: "Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors looked after me through the whole claim process, from visiting me in hospital shortly after the accident to keeping me fully informed at all times.  A claim like this can take a long time, and Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors were here to ‘hold my hand' throughout and secure me appropriate compensation for an accident that has completely changed how I can live my life."

Mark Ellis, partner at Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors and another of the firm's personal injury specialists, added: "Many of our clients had been pressured by their insurer and their agents to follow a claim path through their contacts.  This is not offering the consumer ‘best value' or in a lot of cases the best advice.  We represent genuine cases, and we work hard to get appropriate compensation for our clients.  It is no coincidence that the vast majority of our clients come to Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors because of a personal recommendation."

John Hall concluded: "The legal sector and specifically traditional high street practices are under increasing pressure and many won't survive, especially if they rely on others to market their services and deliver work.  Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors intends to be practicing for many years to come by continuing to offer clients local, practical and friendly expert advice."

In January 2012, the Transport Select Committee of MPs said that motor insurance injury claims have risen by 70% in the past six years, despite a 23% drop in the number of casualties actually caused by accidents.  Whiplash accounts for 70% of all these claims. The committee said that claimants need to provide much more proof of a whiplash injury.  It also stated that insurers should be banned from selling any customer information to third parties - insurance companies can currently receive referral fees for selling claimants' details to personal injury claims companies, garages, car hire companies and more.

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors is the Tees Valley's largest law firm with offices in Hartlepool, Wynyard Park, Stockton on Tees and Barnard Castle.  For further advice, contact Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors on 0800 052 6824.

To visit the website please visit www.tbilaw.co.uk