Would like to say thanks...

ok Pete no need to get stressed and ok so you don't like using the 'phone--no worries.

You could quite easily walk to BLB and ask to make an appointment...I'm saying BLB sollys as they are local for you and it seems Bennets aren't overly interested.

It is better to use a local solly in this case rather than one miles away as you can then actually talk to them [as you say you don't like phones]

If you are going to your doctor let them know exactly 'why' you are there and that you intend making a claim against the dog owner.

Pete d'ya want someone to go along with you ?

@Ducatista --think Nicky answered your question about moneyclaim [it is the small claim track as you said--it has been centralised at Nottingham and from there depending on what 'track' a case is allocated is then moved to a county court if appropriate and is convenient for 'claimant/defendant]...Also Ducatista I think the claim by Pete would/possibly be paid from the womans home insurance if it covers for pets but like you said I've not noticed on mine about road accidents or pets. IF no cover then a letter to her from the local solly about the claim amount [once it is totalled up it may only be a couple of hundred] may result in her simply paying.

I don't want Pete to be 'out of pocket' over this as it wasn't his fault....good that plod does have a record of the accident so no argument about the fact.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nicky

[quote author=Ducatista link=1354568113/45#45 date=1354789744]
Sorry if we are stressing you out Pete - we are all trying to help.
The bottom line is that she is liable but she isn't going to hand it to you on a plate, you need to recover the money and you need to get some advice on how best to go about that.

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AGREED ;) :)
[/quote]
Totally agree :)

The news of the day is.... Pheonix are gonna fix it for just under £300....

Phew!

Hope it works out well Pete and the main wish is that your injuries turn out to be minor and not long lasting.

Quote:

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Also Ducatista I think the claim by Pete would/possibly be paid from the womans home insurance if it covers for pets but like you said I've not noticed on mine about road accidents or pets.

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Col - I agree that if she has insurance it should pay out (if she doesn't pay herself). I was just saying that if Pete has legal cover on his home insurance then it MAY exclude motoring accidents (they usually do I'm afraid).

But I agree it's not helpful for the three of us to argue about things where we generally all agree :)

Yes Ducatista I understood the point you were making and the likelyhood insurance wouldn't cover road accidents and you are absolutely right that there are usually cheaper and equally effective ways of doing things.
Won't bore you but found myself in a legal prob and the sollys reckoned a court case could cost £30k + :o but I discovered an alternative approach after doing some research having become disenchanted with the 'legal experts' which cost £1200 8-)

Don't think anyone was arguing though :)--only writing about the situation Pete has and ways to tackle it.

Think it is a very interesting and relevant situation and it could happen to anyone whether bike /car/pedestrian/cyclist.

I did know that owners are liable for their pets as had a situation several years ago that was talked about at work.

It would be useful for us to find out the procedure for a small claim like Petes.

Anyways the claim is now £300 plus inconvenience and injury.

I would just like to say somat about what Nicky said about solicitors and that is they don't always actually know everything and very poor advice/service can/and has been given which is why there are complaints keeping Legal Ombudsman busy ...you have to double check what is being done. One 'get out clause' they could use is that the 'client did not instruct us properly' and the 'client' goes to them for help and advice ;D usually all is ok :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Col

I would just like to say somat about what Nicky said about solicitors and that is they don't always actually know everything and very poor advice/service can/and has been given which is why there are complaints keeping Legal Ombudsman busy ...you have to double check what is being done. One 'get out clause' they could use is that the 'client did not instruct us properly' and the 'client' goes to them for help and advice ;D usually all is ok :)

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The problem is that solicitors in general practice have such a huge range of work to deal with - exactly why I suggested using a firm/solicitor who specialises in motorcycle cases rather than a high street firm.

In this case being m/cycle specialist is irrelevant as it is a claim against the animal owner for recompense -could be a car /van/ bicycle the case is the same

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Col

In this case being m/cycle specialist is irrelevant as it is a claim against the animal owner for recompense -could be a car /van/ bicycle the case is the same

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I disagree it's absolutely relevant.

It's a really important consideration when choosing a solicitor to make a claim.

Solicitors working in general practice will be dealing with a wide variety of cases. I suspect if you look at the case load of a typical high street firm a considerable amount of their work will be conveyancing and probate work. A solicitor engaged in this type of work may not be up to date with the latest cases etc regarding motorcycle accidents.

This is exactly why some PI claims arise ie where qualified solicitors take on work they dont have enough relevant and recent experience in dealing with.

If you use a solicitor who is both qualified and experienced in the type of work you need dealt with you have the best of both worlds.

Yes quite right about experience [although that costs] but m/cycle specialist as such when Pete could've been knocked off a bicycle :-?

Anyway what's Pete done that's what we wanna know after all our chat about this ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Col

Yes quite right about experience [although that costs] but m/cycle specialist as such when Pete could've been knocked off a bicycle :-?

Anyway what's Pete done that's what we wanna know after all our chat about this ?

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If he'd been knocked off a bicycle no need to use a specialist motorcycle solicitor ;) :) I imagine their are several specialising in bicycle claims though...but yes how Pete's getting on is important.

Hope you are all OK now Pete :)