Motorway Accident Compensation Claims
We have had motorways in the UK for more than half a century and there are now almost 2,000 miles of motorway spanning the length and breadth of the country.
The first stretch of motorway, the M6 Preston bypass, was unveiled in 1958 and within just four hours of its opening the first motorway accident occurred!
Statistically, travelling on a British motorway is much safer than travelling on other categories of road. And comparatively, motorways in this country have a much better safety record than motorways in other parts of Europe. Nevertheless, motorway accidents are still a common occurance, with thousands of people suffering serious injury every year.
Motorway driving is a specialist skill. Learner drivers are not permitted to drive on motorways and most of us receive no formal tuition before we bravely leave the slip road and ease into the slow lane for the first time. It is therefore no surprise that a high proportion of motorway accidents involve drivers who are inexperienced in motorway driving. Other common causes of motorway accidents include:-
- Tiredness
- Adverse weather conditions
- Mechanical error
- Tailgating - or driving too close to the vehicle in front
- Breakdowns
- Lack of concentration
When an accident does occur on a motorway, the consequences tend to be more severe than accidents on other roads, due to the higher speeds involved. There is also the phenomenon of the classic “motorway pile-up” where multiple vehicles are involved in the accident.
As with other types of road traffic accident, our advice on what to do if you are involved in a motorway accident is as follows:-
- Stay calm.
- Note the accident location. What is the nearest motorway junction?
- Make a note of the road conditions and gather details of all the other vehicles involved in the accident.
- Were there any witnesses to the accident? If so, get their contact details so that your solicitor can obtain a statement from them.
- Get the insurance details of other drivers involved in the accident.
- If you have a camera, take a picture of the accident scene. If not, then draw a diagram of the accident scene.
- If you were injured in the accident, make sure that you seek medical attention and keep a note of where you receive the treatment so that your solicitor can obtain medical evidence.
If you do have the misfortune to be injured in a motorway accident and you feel it was not your fault then it is essential you consult a motorway accident compansation claim solicitor as soon as possible. Be wary of the unqualified claims companies whose ads litter the satellite daytime TV channels. Most of these people aren’t solicitors themselves and are simply interested in selling your claim on to the highest bidder. Instead, you should go direct to a fully qualified and properly regulated firm of specialist personal injury solicitors, who have the necessary level of expertise and experience of dealing with motorway accident compensation claims.
Our team of specialist personal injury solicitors are vastly experienced in dealing with all types of accidents, including motorway accidents.
We offer to deal with motorway accidents on a ‘no win - no fee’ basis. We also offer a confidential and no obligation FREE case assessment. So, if you want to know where you stand with your motorway accident then give one of our specialist lawyers a call or drop us an email.
Call us now on 0808 139 1590
Or email us at lee.dawkins@sleeblackwell.co.uk
