"No win, no fee" lawyers

M

Merlin

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Hello all,

Brief summary...

Last year, following community recommendations, I had work done on my motorcycle by a local supplier, widely considered as an 'expert'. This work directly led to a crash shortly thereafter.

My partner and I were lucky to escape with the relatively minimal injuries that we did.

My insurance covered the motorcycle, however, our gear, a raft of medical costs, etc. were not covered, ultimately costing me around 75k.

I have been dealing with an acquaintance, who had kindly agreed to go as far as sending a legal letter pro bono. This was based on an explanation from my motorcycle workshop of choice who had analysed the causation.

We're 9 months on, and I'm struggling to engage with my acquaintance lawyer. The letter has still not been sent.

I don't have the fortune required to tackle this battle on my own.

To the best of my knowledge, the supplier is still doing the same type of work that led to our crash. He knows that we crashed.

I'm out a large sum of money.

The PTSD that my partner now suffers aside, I'm content to sign a letter that says I will not mention names in the future (I haven't to date), but I would like my costs to date covered.

Are there any recommendations for a "no win, no fee" lawyer in the Cape Town area? Is there anything that I should be aware of? I know that they obviously take a percentage for their efforts.

Thanks.
 
You are most likely better off getting one of the ambulance chasing firms to put in a claim against the RAF for your medical expenses and further treatment.
 
Maybe in Merica.

Your lawyers fees can be more than R75k. Not worth it
 
Arzy said:
You are most likely better off getting one of the ambulance chasing firms to put in a claim against the RAF for your medical expenses and further treatment.
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I don't think he'd qualify for RAF as this sounds like failure that caused the crash. There are no third parties I think.
 
My medical aid and gap cover covered most of my medical expenses. My partner was not covered, and did incur medical costs. The costs stemming from the government hospital are apparently being submitted to the RAF. As I understand it, having been a passenger, she may be covered as such, in that regard.

It's a grave injustice, and infuriating that we've had to endure what we have, the supplier continues on on his merry way, and nothing can be done about it.
 
Merlin said:
My medical aid and gap cover covered most of my medical expenses. My partner was not covered, and did incur medical costs. The costs stemming from the government hospital are apparently being submitted to the RAF. As I understand it, having been a passenger, she may be covered as such, in that regard.

It's a grave injustice, and infuriating that we've had to endure what we have, the supplier continues on on his merry way, and nothing can be done about it.
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Have you tried simply checking if the supplier will reimburse you those costs if they accept culpability?
 
The supplier is well aware of what happened.

It was immediately obvious that his workmanship led to the crash. We spoke whilst my partner was being admitted to hospital.

That's the last time I heard from him.
 
maumau said:
How did bad workmanship cause the crash?
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bad welding, brakes not fitted correctly, bald tires, many many things,
can even happen with Cars/Trucks

honestly, I would go sign up with law on call/legal wize or one of those legal firms on subscription,
and try your luck, see what the evidence presented and for them to make a determination.
 
eg2505 said:
bad welding, brakes not fitted correctly, bald tires, many many things,
can even happen with Cars/Trucks

honestly, I would go sign up with law on call/legal wize or one of those legal firms on subscription,
and try your luck, see what the evidence presented and for them to make a determination.
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I dont think you can use it after the fact almost like a preexisting issue for insurance. Try your luck though.

Otherwise no one would sign up till needed
 
Snyper564 said:
I dont think you can use it after the fact almost like a preexisting issue for insurance. Try your luck though.

Otherwise no one would sign up till needed
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might be a cool off period, agreed, but that only can help in getting the facts together and refining the arguments in court.
 
eg2505 said:
might be a cool off period, agreed, but that only can help in getting the facts together and refining the arguments in court.
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It's not a cooling off period (if by which you mean you can't make use of the services within the first x number of months), but rather you cannot use them to pursue a matter that occurred before you had signed up (pre-existing).
 
Thanks, everyone.

It took quite a lengthy period to resolve the direct issues, such as medical recovery, insurance repairs, latent damage, etc. As a result, we only ascertained the true extent of the costs fairly recently.

I completely agree, eg2505. We were extremely fortunate, in many respects. It could have been a lot worse.

Thankfully the area around us was clear of traffic, and other than hitting the road, and a long slide, we luckily did not connect with any hard objects, avoiding breakages.

My partner now deals with severe PTSD and anxiety, and won't go anywhere near motorcycles again, which has changed our lifestyle dramatically. My riding has also shifted somewhere, due to anxiety.
 
Instantaneous deflation of the front at 120 km/h.


so you got a flat? or a blowout.... please explain further, dont need to use big words,
 
Merlin said:
Thanks, everyone.

It took quite a lengthy period to resolve the direct issues, such as medical recovery, insurance repairs, latent damage, etc. As a result, we only ascertained the true extent of the costs fairly recently.

I completely agree, eg2505. We were extremely fortunate, in many respects. It could have been a lot worse.

Thankfully the area around us was clear of traffic, and other than hitting the road, and a long slide, we luckily did not connect with any hard objects, avoiding breakages.

My partner now deals with severe PTSD and anxiety, and won't go anywhere near motorcycles again, which has changed our lifestyle dramatically. My riding has also shifted somewhere, due to anxiety.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear...I had a bad bike accident back in 2001 thanks to another twat and a truck...
Got a replacement bike after I recovered but i never felt the same...
Sold it after 6 months and never rode again...
 
It was exactly that, instantaneous deflation.

The wheels underwent a recognized epoxy conversion to convert them to tubeless. The supplier recommended, supplied, and fitted a new rim, matched with the tyre.

Essentially what happened is that heat buildup, following a prolonged run, such as the highway one that were on, causes the diameter of the tyre to increase ever so slightly. When this happens, the tyre obviously moves up the face of the rim. As the combination recommended was ill suited to this application, the lock that would normally occur between the rim and the tyre was not as it should be. Once the diameter of the tyre increases beyond a certain point, the sidewall can no longer maintain its integrity, buckling inwards, which then burps out the air instantaneously. There is no discernible warning of the impending disaster.

Unfortunately coming off is a reality with biking, mojoman. I absolutely love being on two wheels though, powered or pedaled, and can't imagine a life without it. Sorry to hear that you've forgone biking. No doubt you miss it immensely.
 
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