Local PI solicitor slams Aviva's announcement on whiplash injuries

Michael Pace, a Partner with Andrew & Co LLP, believes Aviva's suggestion on Friday (Feb 15, 2013) that insurers can be trusted to pay an appropriate amount of compensation for whiplash injuries without legal advice would spell disaster for victims. "With 25 years experience of handling personal injury (PI) claims I can tell you that few whiplash claims are straightforward. Some people may suffer depression, driving phobias, debilitating paralysis, all of which can affect their future capacity to work or drive," says Michael.

He suggests: "I'm well used to the tactics used by insurers to persuade people to accept low offers of compensation and I'm worried that this announcement today will see insurers offering settlements of just £1000, which, if accepted, would make it very difficult for claimants to go back if more serious injuries later come to light."

Michael says that it's very easy to evaluate a straightforward whiplash claim by using the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines but few are straightforward. "I've never known insurers match the Judicial level of compensation. They use a version called Collosus which sets compensation levels around half, or two thirds of the Judicial Guidelines," he says.

He believes that whiplash victims who settle compensation claims without legal advice are potentially doing themselves a disservice, many experienced PI solicitors are able to spot injuries that could need future medical support. "It'll be a dark day for victims if this move goes through," warns Michael.

Michael Pace heads up the Personal Injury (PI) and Motor Law Team at Andrew & Co LLP. He can be contacted on 01522 781466.