1 in 5 drivers have been contacted by personal injury lawyers
One in five British drivers have been contacted by personal injury firms either by text, phone or email suggesting that they may wish to pursue damages claims for injuries caused in an accident, according to research by Gocompare.com.
The research revealed that 11 per cent of respondents would consider using a ‘no win-no fee' service to claim compensation after a minor accident, even if they weren't that badly injured. And 3 per cent admitted that they have used personal injury firms to get compensation even though they weren't badly hurt.
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
Over half (52 per cent) of Brit drivers felt that the UK was developing a ‘blame and claim' culture and only 13 per cent feel that personal injury lawyers provide a useful service.
However, 47 per cent of respondents felt that if someone was genuinely injured in a road accident they should be entitled to compensation.
Just over 1% of respondents said that they had 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."