We are getting a number of reports of accidents when the person accused of causing it is adamant that the accident never happened and there is no damage at all to their vehicle. There seems to be a pattern. If anyone has had any similar experiences to the following can they contact me?

The first contact is usually either from the police or a solicitor working for the "victim". The damage is usually minimal and the accident is alleged to have occurred after someone is "cut up" in traffic. There is usually a photograph of the damage to the "victim's" car and a photograph of other car "driving away". The police are investigating possible charges for failing to stop and report. The solicitor - who may well be an innocent party and used to add credibility - writes to demand insurance details.There is usually a "witness". If there can be shown to be no damage the police will usually not pursue - presumably because there could be reasonable doubt but they add credibility to the real intention which seems to be a civil claim where the burden of proof is lower.

A claim is lodged with the target insurer on the basis of the damage which is always minor bodywork. Although faced with strong protests from their policyholder the insurer is faced with minor damage (£500-£750) and a hostile witness and will usually settle rather than fight, recouping their losses from the increased premiums which will hit their policyholder as a result of having a fault claim against them.

However once there is an admission of liability a personal injury claim, sometimes two, will follow for whiplash - which are supported with medical reports.

From an insurer's point of view once liability has been admitted on the minor point it is almost impossible to oppose on the injury claim.

As I said, anyone who has knowledge of similar cases please contact me at asklucy@honestjohn.co.uk