Every year around 200,000 people are injured in road accidents. Anyone using the road is at risk, from pedestrians and cyclists to drivers and their passengers.
While whiplash is the most common consequence of road traffic accidents, people also regularly suffer from fractures, broken bones, burns and cuts. Vehicles are also often damaged and may need major repair work.
As well as physical injuries, road traffic accidents can also lead to psychological damage.
In serious accidents there could be more severe injuries that affect the spinal cord or brain, or cases where amputation is required. In 2010 almost 2,000 people were killed because of road traffic accidents.
While bad weather and other environmental factors can make safe driving difficult, the primary cause of road traffic accidents is down to human fault. A driver may be intentionally reckless or innocently forget to check a mirror before pulling out - either way they are at fault.
In some circumstances road traffic accidents may be caused by a problem with the vehicle, which may put the manufacturer at fault. However, the problem could be down to the vehicle's owner not taking due care. For instance, the tread depth of tyres must legally be at least 1.6mm because it affects the braking distance of a vehicle.
As long as the accident wasn't your fault you're entitled to claim.
How much compensation could I expect to receive?
Estimating how much you'll receive is difficult because it depends a lot on your specific circumstances.
Estimating how much you'll receive is difficult because it depends a lot on your specific circumstances.
Moderate whiplash injuries will pay anywhere from £750-£3,000 while more severe whiplash injuries that cause lasting pain can easily top £10,000. People involved in very serious injuries that cause paralysis could be entitled to up to £100,000.
How long will a claim take?
Again this depends on your case, however, most straightforward claims that don't argue about liability take in the region of 6-8 months.
Again this depends on your case, however, most straightforward claims that don't argue about liability take in the region of 6-8 months.
While having to wait so long can be distressing for the claimant, rushing a settlement will mean you don't get full amount you are entitled to.
Many people seek personal injury claims advice simply because they can't afford not to. The injury may have resulted in the claimant being unable to work for long periods of time, which can result in the financial pressures. Your compensation is designed to place you back in a financial position you were in before the accident occurred.
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