Passenger Road Traffic Accidents
As our roads get ever busier accidents on them become more frequent. Statistics tell us that about nine people a day tragically lose their lives on Britain’s roads. Thousands more suffer injury.
When a road traffic accident (or RTA) does occur theres is often a legal dispute over whose fault it was. These disputes can involve complex issues of legal liability and often take months if not years to resolve, often with the assistance of a judge.
However, the legal situation is rather more straightforward for a passenger suffering injury in an RTA.
The law is on your side if you are injured as a passenger in a Road Traffic Accident. In almost all cases legal liability will rest with the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the road accident.
Many people don’t appreciate that they can still make a compensation claim even if the driver responsible for the accident is a close relative or friend. We deal with claims on a daily basis that are made by children against their parents or wives against their husbands. At the end of the day, if the driver is insured then it is their insurance company who will deal with the claim and not the individual. So, if your parent or husband or wife or cousin or boyfriend was responsible for causing an RTA in which you were injured as a passenger then you can claim compensation from them without it actually affecting their pocket.
And remember, even you are injured by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, the insurance industry has a fund against which you can claim compensation for your personal injury.
It is important that you get an experienced personal injury solicitor to represent you in making the compensation claim. Although liability for the accident might be straightforward there will nevertheless be a need for medical evidence to be collected so that you can claim the full amount of personal injury compensation you are entitled to.
The value of an RTA passenger compensation claim will generally depend on the severity of the injuries suffered. The more serious the injury the higher the value claim. Compensation is awarded not just for the actual injuries sustained but also for expenses and financial losses incurred as a result. These include loss of earnings, medical treatment, travelling expenses, damaged clothing or property, medication, and the value of care or services provided to you - even if the care was provided free of charge by a relative or family friend.
If you are unfortunate enough to be injured as a passenger in an RTA you should also try to do as many of the following things as possible:
- Note the details of the location of the Road Traffic Accident, the road conditions, all the vehicles involved, all the parties involved, and any witnesses to the accident.
- Note the details of any drivers’ and riders’ insurance policies.
- If you have a camera, take a picture of the scene of the Road Traffic Accident. If not, draw a diagram of the accident scene.
- If you need to go to hospital, get copies of any medical reports that prove your injuries.
If you are in any doubt as to whether you have a valid claim for personal injury compensation arising out of a road traffic accident then just give our FREE LEGAL HELPLINE a call and we’ll be able to tell you instantly where you stand.
Call us now on 0808 139 1590
Or email us at lee.dawkins@sleeblackwell.co.uk
