What are the main causes of pedestrian accidents? Thousands of road traffic accidents happen in the UK every year, causing injury, upset and sometimes even death to those involved. Although drivers are the first thing you are likely to think of when considering the devastating effects of incidents on the road, the impact on  pedestrians involved in these accidents is often overlooked. This is despite the fact that pedestrians are often subjected to more severe and potentially life-threatening injuries than drivers as they don’t have the protective shell of a road vehicle as a final line of defence. Many incidents that occur on UK roads do indeed involve pedestrians, and in severe cases, can lead to serious injury or the loss of life. In this blog, we explain exactly what a pedestrian accident is before delving into statistics around pedestrian deaths from road traffic accidents and whether it’s possible to make a compensation claim as a pedestrian. What is a pedestrian … [Read more...]

How do pedestrians cause accidents? In the event of an accident on the road involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, it’s easy to assume that the person at fault is the driver of the vehicle that’s caused the damage. While this is often true and many compensation claims are made against drivers of vehicles involved in road traffic accidents each year, it’s also important to consider whether the fault could in fact be in the hands of the pedestrian involved in the incident. Due to the lack of protection that would otherwise come with operating a vehicle, pedestrians are typically the most vulnerable people in a road traffic accident and are usually subjected to more severe injuries. However, if they’ve acted irresponsibly or directly caused the incident themselves, is it possible that they could be subject to a compensation claim? In this blog, we look at whether pedestrians could be at fault for accidents and if it’s possible to make a claim against pedestrians if you’re involved … [Read more...]

What are the major causes of road accidents? When a road accident occurs, it can be disorienting, upsetting and stressful for everyone involved. Immediately after the event, it’s easy to fall into a state of shock, as these accidents often happen completely without warning. However, regardless of the cause - be it a deep-seated habit of the person at fault, plain carelessness or freak circumstances that could not have been prevented - you shouldn’t have to suffer any long-term effects without the necessary help, especially if you were not to blame. Establishing the reason for the road accident will play a key role in making a compensation claim against the person at fault. Without this, it may delay or even entirely prevent any chance of a successful claim. What are the reasons for road accidents? Many different factors can lead to an accident on the road. Although you could almost blame anything as the sole reason for a road accident, the primary causes include: Distractions … [Read more...]

A traumatic brain injury refers to damage to the brain caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head. While minor cases could lead to temporary, subtle symptoms, more serious damage could lead to long-term or even permanent effects. Traumatic brain injuries are often associated with road traffic accidents and physical attacks, and the victims may be entitled to compensation regardless of the severity. In this blog, we take a closer look at this type of injury, including potential causes, effects and how much money you could be entitled to if you decide to make a claim. What qualifies as a traumatic brain injury? Also sometimes referred to as a TBI, a traumatic brain injury is damage to the brain caused by a jolt, blow or bump to the head. It differs from other types of brain injuries such as a stroke, anoxia, hypoxia, tumour, inflammation or infection, which aren’t caused by an impact to the head. Types of traumatic brain injury include: concussion penetrating injury … [Read more...]

When is a rear end collision not your fault? Rear end collisions are a form of road traffic accident where one vehicle crashes into the back of another. In most cases, they occur in areas where vehicles come to a complete stop and drivers are required to judge when best to move off such as roundabouts and traffic lights, with the collision occurring when one of the drivers misjudges the timing of the other driver. If you are looking to make a compensation claim against another driver following a rear end collision, you will need to prove that they were the one at fault. With this in mind, you may be interested to discover what the criteria is for being at fault for rear end collisions. In this blog, we look at this type of road traffic accident, how the person at fault is determined and other questions such as how long a settlement could take and how much money you could claim as the victim of a rear end collision. Are you always at fault in a rear end collision? The person at … [Read more...]

What to do after a bike accident Incidents involving bikes are among the most common types of road traffic accidents, with the severity of these incidents ranging from minor cuts and scratches to serious injuries to the head, spine and other sensitive areas of the body. As bikes don’t provide much protection for cyclists, the impact from a collision can cause severe damage to them. In some cases, victims make compensation claims to reflect their pain and suffering and help them to recuperate financial losses caused by the incident. In this blog, we look in detail at bike accidents and explain how to report them and make a compensation claim, whether you should get medical attention if you’re involved in one, what you’re able to claim for and how much money you could be entitled to. How to report a bike accident If the incident caused major injuries or left significant damage in the road, you should report the bike accident to the police. You can do this by phone, in person or … [Read more...]

What are the types of collision? During a compensation claim for a road traffic accident, many factors are considered to determine whether the claim is valid. An important part of this is based on how the collision happened, as the different types of collision may be used to identify the person at fault for the incident. In this informative blog, we look at what qualifies as a collision, the different types of collisions that can happen, how they’re recognised for making a compensation claim and explain the most common types. What is a traffic collision? A traffic collision is when a mechanically-propelled vehicle makes contact with something else in a public place. When this happens, everyone involved in the incident is required by law to follow a number of steps and report the incident to the police where necessary. If a property or vehicle was left with damage as a result of the incident, the owner should be able to claim on their insurance. As a final step, anybody injured … [Read more...]

What is an RTA?   You may have heard of the term RTA in relation to making personal injury claims. RTA stands for road traffic accident. Both versions of this term are used by compensation claim solicitors, but what exactly is a road traffic accident? In this blog, we explain what an RTA is, what to do if you’re involved in one and how you can claim compensation.   What is a road traffic accident? A road traffic accident is a type of incident involving a motor vehicle where a person, animal, vehicle or section of property is left damaged as a result. It was formally outlined in the Road Traffic Act 1988 as an accident on any road or public place in England and Wales, with different rules set out for other parts of the UK such as Scotland and Northern Ireland. Although the Road Traffic Act 1988 defines an RTA as being an incident involving the use of a motor vehicle, they can also involve a bicycle, pedestrian or a public transport vehicle. According to road … [Read more...]

How to claim compensation after a road accident   If you suffered an injury as a result of a road traffic accident, you may be entitled to compensation. However, when an incident on the road occurs, there are things you need to do before you can consider making a claim. In this guide, we explain what you need to do in a road accident, what’s expected of you in the eyes of the law and how you can start your compensation claim.   What to do in a road traffic accident A road traffic accident can be distressing, traumatising and leave you feeling shaken and not in the right mindset to make the best decisions. It’s understandable to feel disoriented after a car accident, but if you don’t report an accident you were involved in to the police, you may be breaking the law. However, this only applies if you haven’t supplied your name to anyone involved in the incident or if the incident was serious, resulted in major injuries or if debris was left in the road. As for minor … [Read more...]