Traffic accident claims

Traffic Accident Claims

As we all know road traffic accidents are common occurrences, unfortunate, but common. They can result in injuries to both drivers and passengers, ranging from the minor to the serious and sometimes fatal. Whilst compensation cannot reverse any of the injuries sustained they can go a long way towards helping those who have suffered, particularly for passengers who are almost always innocent victims. Compensation claims are of course not limited to passengers of cars; it can also include busses and coaches as well as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Car accident injuries range can range from cuts, bruises and broken bones to more serious injuries like burns, spinal or brain damage and those that require some form of amputation. However, the most common claim following a road traffic accident is that of whiplash. Whiplash usually occurs when someone is sitting in their vehicle and they are struck from behind by another vehicle. This results in an injury to the neck and sometimes to the arm and the hand, often as a result of the strain on the neck from wearing a seatbelt.

Compensation

Any innocent party can make a claim for compensation following road traffic accidents. All drivers have a duty of care towards each other, included those vehicles which are driven by members of the emergency services. If a driver has been negligent and caused an accident which has resulted in injury to another driver or their passengers then they are liable to pay compensation.

The amount of the compensation paid out following road traffic accidents varies from accident to accident. The idea of the compensation is to put you in the same position you would have been in had the traffic accident not taken place. It is not actually the driver who will make this payment but their insurance company and the compensation will be calculated to include any medical expenses, travel expenses, loss of income and compensation for damage to personal belongings. Even if you are injured by an uninsured driver you can still receive compensation from the Motor Insurance Bureau who have a special fund for victims of uninsured drivers.

There are instances where compensation payments for road traffic accidents can be reduced. The most common of which is for failure to wear a seatbelt or a motorcyclist’s or cyclist’s failure to wear the appropriate safety equipment. Another example is that of a passenger who gets into a vehicle with a driver who he knows has been drinking.

Making a Claim

It is important that you follow the usual procedures following a road traffic accident in order to secure the compensation to which you are entitled. This not only means exchanging insurance details but also contacting the police (in serious cases), taking pictures and taking down the details of everyone involved including any witnesses.

You should contact your insurance company immediately and seek medical attention if you have suffered an injury. You may have legal expenses cover as part of your vehicle or home insurance which you can use to cover the legal costs involved with bringing a claim. Your insurance company will then seek to recover their costs from the other side.

Bear in mind that a road traffic accident claim needs to be made within 3 years of the date of the accident, unless special permission has been obtained from the court.

Traffic Accident Claims Abroad

Road traffic laws can vary from country to country and they may not all have the same rules on compensation that we do. However, if you are within the European Economic Area and you are involved in a road traffic accident, you are permitted to make you compensation claim here in the UK.

Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help with your traffic accident claim by either calling us or completing the claim form on this site. If we are able to take your case on it will be on 100% no win no fee terms.

To find out more about compensation for traffic accidents click here.