Recommend a solicitor

[civvy]

I'll keep details brief for now, for hopefully obvious reasons.

I've had my bike dropped by a contractor working for a well known recovery company. He's refused to give me any paperwork mentioning the damage at the scene, and said he will deny causing it.

I have him on video admitting dropping the bike, and then saying that he will lie about it.

The well known recovery company has said that they will not cover any expenses (hire bike etc) unless he admits fault (not really interested in the video). If he admits it, they will only offer a car (which I wouldn't be able to drive).

If he admits it, then they'll look at getting the repair paid for (possibly bent bar, missing mirror (still in the guy's van), several scratches on fairing, scratches on wheel etc) so I won't have a bike until that's all sorted (looking like a couple of weeks even *if* he admits it)

I use my bike to get around everywhere, get to work every day etc. Can anybody recommend a solicitor to help get this resolved and my bike repaired ASAP, as well as assist with getting me back on the road in the mean time.

I have legal cover on my insurance, but they can't help, as it wasn't technically an accident involving me.

Cheers

[Nai]

Couldn't that be considered a police matter?

[pinkyfloyd]

You could try these guys. Dont know anything about them really apart from what the web pages say. Never had to use them and hopefully never will but if I do need specialist bike solicitors I will try these guys

https://www.whitedalton.co.uk/
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[civvy]

[MarJay]

Jeez, that is one of the most gaulling things I've heard in a long while. I wonder if the 'well known recovery company' dock pay or take disciplinary action against their recovery operatives if they damage a vehicle? It would explain why this to$$pot is getting so angry and aggressive.

If I were you, I'd stick the footage up on Youtube, unlisted for searches, and then email a link to the "well known recovery company' director and see what they have to say for themselves. Once that is done, then you can consider legal action. However, it doesn't hurt to get advice from a solicitor I guess.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Marmalade]

[defblade]

www.europaconsultants.co.uk might be able to help - well regarded on Pistonheads.
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[RichieZX6R]

sorry to hear about this

why not try citizens advice bureau? they reccommended me a very good solicitor and i got it free due to claiming benefits (that's working tax credits & housing benefit due to a low income before i get "stop taking our tax money and get a job" responses )
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Current: Kawazaki ZX6R 51
Past: Kawazaki ZX6R 96 - Honda CBR 600F4 05 - Dragstar 125 02 - Honda CB 400 SF 94 - Honda NSR 125 51 - Gilera Runner XV125 04

[pinkyfloyd]

Name and shame. This "well known company" means nothing to the rest of us that might have the same policy.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Rogerborg]

You don't need a solicitor for this.

Send the Well Known Recovery Company a "Letter Before Action" by recorded delivery. Include your contact details including a phone number.

You don't need to use legalese, just lay out what happened, tell them that you have video evidence of their contractor admitting causing damage and then lying about it, and that the police attended when he became abusing and threatening.

Include an itemised bill for compensation including your consequent losses, and tell them that unless payment is made in full immediately, you will file a County Court small claim and add the costs of doing so to the amount owing. Note that court filings and evidence are in the public domain.

Then give them a week and file the claim. It's really not that hard, there's plenty of info about it online. You don't need legal representation, you just turn up, explain what happened briefly, show your evidence, and get your verdict. But it won't come to that: they'll cave beforehand.

This is quicker, cheaper and a lot more satisfying than going via a solicitor and not knowing what (if anything) is going on.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[chris-red]

[heehaw]

[Livefast123]

How did he drop the bike as techically it could still be an accident if he was using equipment on his truck to move your bike.
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[civvy]

[civvy]

[Livefast123]

Then I would say that under the road traffic act the defination of an accident has been met.

Due to the presence of a motor vehicle (yours and his) on a road or public place an accident has occurred causing damage (to your bike) etc

He was riding your bike on the back of his recovery truck and fell off. This is an accident and should be covered by his insurance although it would be better to settle without insurance being involved.
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[Martay]

Ouch
Sounds like he doesnt want to admit causing it as he will have to pay.
+ another 1 for youtubing it (and showing us )
+ another 1 for telling us the name

Are you sure theres not a disclaimer in the small print for damages etc?
Ive used RAC for a couple of years, and they contracted all the recovery out to Manchetts, and i never had a problem with them picking up bikes. Was it a 'big well known' company, or was he sub-contracted self employed man-with-van?
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Eat well, poo hard
Drives: Cavalier 2.0 16v
Rides: Slightly ratted Honda City Express

[Marmalade]

[iooi]

Why go straght in at the deep end.

Start simple and talk to the company. Raise it upto a manager in the complaints department to start with.

I would not post anything up on the internet as it will straght away set the tone for the dispute and may end up actually harm your chances of getting a swift outcome, as they will get their legals involved to get it brought down.

2nd time we have seen a complaint about a recovery company... Or against one of its contractors.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Clanger]

Angel Helphire, they do everything...sort out a solicitor, barrister, the works.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Rogerborg]

Get a solicitor involved and they'll happily drag the process out to make more money for themselves. Also, they won't give a stuff about whether you ever actually get any money.

Kick off a small claims action, and you're in control. I've filed one (in the Sheriff Court in Scotland, but it's the same principle in England and Walesland) and it was fairly easy to do, certainly quicker, easier, cheaper and more convenient than dealing with a solicitor.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Pete.]

[27cows]

Never mind a solicitor, break his fucking legs.
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[Marmalade]

Best way is go for the big ones.

If it's the AA it should be plain sailing, rac are not too bad either.

They'll pay out and roughly abuse the contractor at a later date.

When i was doing recovery there were quite a few monkeys with no clue and would often hear of the AA demanding settlement on damaged vehicles they'd coughed for
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[civvy]