Whiplash debate is too often one-sided and dominated by insurers, society claims
The Law Society has demanded the opportunity to put forward the views of solicitors at a parliamentary inquiry into whiplash claims.
The transport select committee is scheduled to hear evidence later this year on the government’s drive to reduce the number and costs of whiplash claims and has invited written submissions on five points.
These include whether Britain is the “whiplash capital of the world”, whether such claims add £90 to the average premium and, if so, how much of the extra cost is due to “exaggerated, misrepresented or fabricated” claims.
The Law Society has written to the committee’s chair Louise Ellman asking to be allowed to give oral evidence on behalf of road accident victims and put forward the views of solicitors.
President Lucy Scott-Moncrieff said: “This is a debate in which all too often the perspective of only a single side – the insurers – is heard.
“As I am sure you will agree, such a one-sided debate has the potential to distort the facts leading to, in the society’s view, ill-considered and disproportionate policymaking.”
In its written evidence, the society argues that the government’s proposals to increase the small-claims limit in personal injury cases are largely based on the case made by the insurance lobby.
The deadline for written submissions to the inquiry was 15 April, and the committee is planning to publish a report after hearing oral evidence.
The inquiry is a response to the Ministry of Justice consultation paper Reducing the number and cost of whiplash claims.
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