hi D/SCooperS,
sorry to hear about your problem.
just a suggestion, iam currently studying law (1st year).
i think you could scare the 3rd party recovery guys out of their pants by going to your county court getting a claim form for damages (something on those lines, the clerks at courts are all ways helpful just ask they will give you more info and the right form), fill it in, then a copy gets sent out to the person in question so it would be defendant (3rd party guys), your claimant
. Hopefully the site of this would result in them sorting something out. By the way you dont need a solicitor to represent yourself and the courts are really understanding and helpful when the public represent themselves. at the end of the day someone has caused damages to your property and its their negligence, so they owe you
.
i hope it helps, never tried my self but its how i was taught be my lecturer. Sometimes the solicitor would charge you for just answering the phone becareful