Time is of the essence so you may need to think about things even though you are`nt really in the mood.
You need to stay focused - the issue is to prove liability against the Council employing or contracting the dustmen. Liability is most likely to be proven in negligence if at all, and damages would be assessed to out you in the psotion you would have been in had the negligence not occurred.
Yoe need some legal advice - I wouldn`t necessarily start with no win no fee solicitors unless they fund themselves via after the event insurance. I would start with the Solicitors you know best and see if they have a decent litigation department - agree a doscount off their hourly rate and get an estimate, and insist on regular cost reviews once various trigger points in costs are reached - £1000 intervals sounds about right.
The NFU (the Union not the insurance brokers) may be able to help with recommended Solicitors.
I`m surprised DAS aren`t also being helpful - might b eworth giving them another call.
Pick one legal route and one firm of Solicitors at a time, don`rt have numerous strands of legal activity going on at once, it doesn`t apply any more pressure and just causes confusion.
If you need to start with basics try Citizens Advice. Don`t neglect the possibility of Legal Aid either.
Leave the legal bit to the lawyers , your bit is to get your GP to write a report setting out your injuries , psychological as well as physical, and make sure its done soon so he can see them rather than just report what you tell him. You also need to think about how you prove the value of your vehicle - so collect all invoices and receipts, and maybe think about talking to your insurers about a loss adjusters report 9I