Who Thompsons Solicitors Are and What They Handle
Thompsons Solicitors is a law firm that has worked on personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents, for decades. They operate across the UK and handle claims where someone has been injured due to another person's negligence — which includes motorcycle collisions caused by another driver's fault. The firm works on a no win, no fee basis for many cases, meaning you do not pay their legal fees unless your claim succeeds.
The firm is part of a larger legal network and has staff who focus specifically on road traffic accident claims. If you contact them about a motorcycle accident, they will assess whether your case fits their practice areas and whether they have capacity to take it on. Not every firm accepts every case, even within their stated specialties.
Key Takeaways
- Thompsons operates on no win, no fee terms for many motorcycle accident claims, so you pay nothing upfront and nothing if the claim does not succeed.
- The firm has a track record in personal injury law, but you should still compare their approach and terms against other solicitors before deciding.
- No win, no fee does not mean free — the firm recovers costs from your compensation or from an insurance policy, and you should understand what percentage they take.
- Your first conversation with any solicitor should cover what they will charge, how long the process typically takes, and what happens if liability is disputed.
- You can instruct a solicitor at any point in your claim — when ready after the accident or months later — so there is no pressure to decide today.
How No Win, No Fee Works With Thompsons
Under a no win, no fee agreement (formally called a conditional fee agreement), Thompsons does not charge you an upfront fee. If your claim fails, you owe them nothing for their work. If it succeeds, they recover their costs and a success fee — usually a percentage of your compensation — from the money you receive.
The percentage they take varies depending on the type of claim and the complexity. You should ask them directly what percentage applies to your case before you instruct them. Some firms also require you to hold a legal expenses insurance policy (sometimes called after-the-event insurance) that covers their costs if the claim fails; others do not. This is a question to ask in your first call.
The advantage of no win, no fee is that you do not need money upfront to pursue a claim. The disadvantage is that the firm's costs come out of your final compensation, which means you receive less than the full amount awarded. If your claim is worth £5,000 and the firm takes 25 per cent as a success fee, you receive £3,750. Understanding this trade-off is important before you commit.
What to Ask Thompsons Before Instructing Them
When you first contact Thompsons, you should have answers to these questions before you decide to instruct them. Write them down and ask them directly — do not assume you know the answer.
What is your success fee percentage, and does it change based on the type of claim? Different cases carry different risk, and the firm may charge different percentages for straightforward claims versus complex ones. Ask what percentage applies to your specific situation.
Will I need to take out legal expenses insurance, and who pays for it? Some firms require it; others do not. If required, find out whether the cost comes out of your compensation or whether the firm covers it.
How long does a typical motorcycle accident claim take from start to finish? The answer depends on whether liability is disputed and whether the other party's insurer contests the amount. A straightforward claim might take three to six months; a contested one can take a year or longer. Ask them what they expect for your case based on what you have told them.
What happens if the other driver's insurer disputes liability? This is crucial. If the other party denies fault, the case becomes more expensive and time-consuming. Ask whether Thompsons will still take the case on no win, no fee terms, or whether they will ask you to pay hourly fees if liability is disputed.
Comparing Thompsons Against Other Solicitors
Thompsons is one option, but it is not the only one. Many solicitors handle motorcycle accident claims on no win, no fee terms. Before you instruct any firm, contact at least two or three others and ask the same questions. The answers will differ, and those differences matter to your pocket and to how your case is handled.
Some firms specialise in motorcycle accidents specifically and may have more experience with the particular injuries and liability issues that arise in bike crashes. Others are general personal injury firms that handle all types of road traffic accidents. Neither is automatically better — it depends on the firm's track record, their understanding of your specific accident, and their terms.
You can also ask each firm whether they have handled cases similar to yours and what the outcome was. A firm that has settled dozens of motorcycle claims will have a clearer sense of what your case is worth than one that takes motorcycle cases occasionally. This is a reasonable question to ask, and firms should be willing to answer it.
What Happens After You Instruct a Solicitor
Once you instruct Thompsons or another firm, they will gather evidence: your medical records, the police accident report (if one was filed), photographs of the damage, witness statements, and details of the other driver's insurance. They will then contact the other party's insurer and notify them of your claim.
The insurer will investigate and either accept liability (meaning they agree their driver was at fault) or dispute it. If they accept liability, the process moves to valuing your claim — calculating compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and damage to your motorcycle. If they dispute liability, your solicitor may need to gather more evidence or, in some cases, instruct an informed to support your version of events.
Throughout this process, your solicitor should keep you updated on progress and ask your permission before making major decisions. You have the right to know what is happening in your case and to ask questions. If Thompsons or any firm is not communicating clearly, that is a sign to raise it with them directly or to consider changing solicitors.
Red Flags and Questions About Representation
Before you instruct any solicitor, check whether they are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You can search the SRA register on their website to confirm that Thompsons and any other firm you are considering are properly authorised. This is a basic check that takes two minutes and protects you.
Be cautious of any firm that guarantees a specific outcome or compensation amount. No solicitor can may provide what an insurer will pay or what a court will award. If a firm promises a particular figure, that is a red flag.
Also be wary of firms that pressure you to decide when ready or that do not explain their fees clearly. A reputable firm will give you time to think, will answer your questions in writing if you ask, and will not rush you into a decision. You can instruct a solicitor weeks or months after your accident — there is no important date that forces you to choose today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change solicitors if I am unhappy with Thompsons?
Yes. You can instruct a different solicitor at any point in your claim. If you have already signed a conditional fee agreement with Thompsons, you will need to end that agreement first. The new solicitor can advise you on how to do this and what it means for costs already incurred. Changing solicitors can delay your claim slightly, but it is your right to do so.
What if Thompsons says they cannot take my case?
Some firms decline cases because they do not have capacity, because liability is too unclear, or because the claim value is too low to justify the work. If Thompsons declines, ask them why and whether they can recommend another firm. Many solicitors will refer cases they cannot take to firms they trust, which can save you time searching.
Does no win, no fee mean I pay nothing at all?
No. You pay nothing in legal fees if the claim fails, but if it succeeds, the solicitor's success fee and costs come out of your compensation. You may also be liable for the other party's legal costs if you lose, though this is rare in straightforward motorcycle accident claims. Ask Thompsons what your total exposure is before you instruct them.
How do I know if Thompsons is the right firm for my accident?
Contact them, ask the questions listed above, and compare their answers against at least one other firm. The right firm is the one that understands your accident, explains their fees clearly, communicates well, and charges reasonable terms. Trust your instinct — if a firm does not feel right, there are others.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
If the other driver had no insurance, your claim goes against the Motor Insurer's Bureau (MIB), a compensation scheme that covers uninsured and untraced drivers. The process is similar, but the MIB has different procedures. Ask Thompsons whether they have experience with MIB claims and how their fees work in that context, as it may differ from standard claims.