Road Traffic Accidents

More people are injured and killed on Britain’s roads every year than through any other form of personal injury. You can be involved in a road traffic accident regardless of whether you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist and the injuries that you can sustain as a result of it vary in degree from relatively minor to catastrophic or even fatal.

Nearly half a million people are injured or killed on our roads every year. In order to help reduce the amount of accidents and injuries that occur each year on the roads we all owe each other a duty of care. This comes regardless of whether you are a driver, motorcyclist, pedestrian etc; whatever you use the road as you should do so in compliance with the Highway Code.

One of the most common injuries associated with road traffic accidents is whiplash. Other forms of injuries that you may suffer as the result of a road traffic accident includes broken or fractured bones, torn ligaments, head or neck trauma and even spinal cord damage. Whatever injury you are suffering from as the result of a road traffic accident you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation; this is as long as you can prove that the accident was caused through no fault of your own.

There are certain aspects that need to be looked at when it comes to road traffic accidents such as driver behaviour, road conditions and the state of the vehicle at the time of the accident. All of these will be used as proof that the accident occurred through no fault of your own.

Whether a road traffic accident was your fault or not it is important that you stop at the scene so that you can exchange insurance details and inform the police as well as an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured. Even if you are not seriously injured it is a good idea that you visit your doctor, even if your injuries seem minor. This way you will have a medical record of your accident and any injuries that you sustained as a result of it. Also some injuries that you may be suffering from might not show up straight away, which is why it is a good idea to have tests done to rule out any major illnesses.

If you have become the victim of a road traffic accident in the last three years then you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Road Traffic Accidents – How should you Proceed?

If you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident in the last three years which wasn’t your fault and you’ve suffered as a result of this accident you have a legal and civil right to claim compensation.

Road traffic accidents are a daily occurrence in the UK, too many people are driving too fast and recklessly and of course some of those drink and drive too. Drink driving has been happening for years now and now restrictions are in place most people are sticking to these which is 80 milligrammes(mg) of alcohol for 100 millilitres(ml) of blood which is around 2 pints of normal strength beer (4% or below) for a man. If you do drink alcohol and intend to drive your limit is:

• 4 units for men
• 3 units for women

The main people prosecuted for drink driving are males 9 out of 10 being male and only 10% of under 21’s are prosecuted, the peak age of being convicted is aged 27. If you are involved in a road traffic accident with a drink driver remain calm and call the police if you can. The police will be able to then take breath test samples from you as well as the other driver for analysis.

There are also many other different measures which may cause a road traffic accident these include:

• Wet roads
• Snow and Ice
• Speeding
• Lack of concentration
• Faulty car

If you’ve been the injured party in a road traffic accident, the police usually are called and will need to take statements from all parties as well as any witnesses. These statements will play an important part in your compensation claim when you proceed with the claim.

From this car accident you may have received multiple injuries to the head, neck, back, legs, arms as well as internal injuries but you may have been lucky and received only a broken leg or a few cuts and bruises. If your injuries have caused you pain and suffering you may have had to see a doctor and of had to pay medical bills and treatment costs. If this is true you have the right to claim compensation from the other party to pay for these costs. As well as this the compensation may include loss of earnings. You may not have been able to go to work which means you can’t afford to pay your bills. Whatever costs and suffering you have had from the road traffic accident you can claim compensation for these.

Many road traffic accident solicitors’ now work on a No Win No Fee basis meaning that you don’t have to pay a penny in legal fees. Your solicitor will only take on the case if they believe it has a very good chance of winning; due to the fact if you don’t win they don’t get paid. The only costs you may need to pay are getting doctor reports and any other information you may need to pay for. If your case is successful you will receive the whole amount of compensation awarded to you, your solicitor will get their legal fees from the other party’s insurance.
Jene Pedder is the Webmaster of Accident Consult who works on a No Win No Fee Basis and specialise in Road Traffic Accident Claims.