hmmmm, force strong in you is oh wise one.

good comment as usual from the t1000

Sounds like this has all come together at the right time for you Tim.

Counter the offer as is expected, take the money, use it sensibly (do you really need a second bike? :? ) and get things back on track. I'm so glad that you're still alive, and that's priceless.

I wish I knew more about personal injury. Perhaps I should start.

There is a specialist legal book - now on CD Rom - for PI damages - called Kemp and Kemp. That's the starting point for research on this sort of thing.

Can understand that you want to get on with life, dude. Before you sign on the dotted line, you might want to get a second opinion of what the claim's worth. It wouldn't cost very much and then you wouldn't spend the next 30 years wondering whether you got a fair settlement. I can put you in touch with someone who could advise you, if you like.

Having been through this whole saga myself, I have every sympathy with your situation. Brinksmanship is the game to play, I was involved in an accident in December 2001, by August 2002, they offered an interim payment of £3000, with prejudice, to get me back on the road. Eventually a court hearing in September 2004 was scheduled, right up until July 2004 they were giving nothing away, they wouldn't even accept any liability.
In the 2 months prior to the hearing the offers came in, initially 30%, then 50 and then 60%, this was a figure of £16000. By now I'd become quite belligerent and told them I'd see them in court! The week prior to the hearing they offered 75%, and I was finally tempted, but I held out and outside the court they offered a full and final settlement of £24000, an 80% admission of liability! Result!
My advice, if you want £28k, tell them you want £30K and graciously accept £28k. If their opening offer is £20k then I think they will be prepeared to go very much higher, just depends how long you want to wait for the cash!
Good Luck!