Road Traffic Accidents

A road traffic accident (RTA) can have a drastic and negative effect upon your life, and if the accident wasn’t even your fault then this will be that much harder to cope with. Injuries sustained in an RTA could range from the relatively trivial, such as cuts and bruises or fairly mild whiplash, to broken bones and, in the very worst cases paralysis and perhaps even fatalities. No matter what the precise details of your injuries, there’s a chance that they could require long term medical care which means:

  • Medical bills
  • Miscellaneous expenses
  • Loss of earnings

Any one of these would be very difficult to deal with, but if the accident in question wasn’t actually your fault then you may be in a position to make a personal injury claim. Should your claim be successful and you receive compensation, not only will this cover your expenses but it will help you put your life back together and start moving on.

What do we mean by ‘Road Traffic Accident’?

The phrase covers many different situations, and amongst the cases we deal with on a regular basis are the following:

  • A motorcyclist who has been involved in a collision with another vehicle.
  • A passenger in a car involved in an accident.
  • A motorist who has suffered an accident due to a poor road surface, obstacle or dangerous road.
  • A driver of a vehicle hit by another vehicle.
  • A cyclist hit by another vehicle.
  • A pedestrian who has been hit by a car.

In order to make a successful claim for personal injury compensation following a car accident, you have to prove that you were injured during the accident, and that another person was to blame. Our specialist lawyers will put together the strongest possible case, something which is especially important here since RTA’s are often hotly disputed. It will be easier to build the strongest case possible, and therefore maximise the chances of success, if you do the following:

  • Record the contact details of any people who witnessed the accident.
  • Record the contact details and insurance details of all the people involved in the accident.
  • Record the registration plates of all vehicles involved, just in case someone gives false details.
  • Take photographs of the accident and the scene of the accident. If this isn’t possible, draw a simple pencil sketch marking the positions of vehicles, people, direction of travel etc.
  • Get medical attention – If you have been injured it is essential that you seek medical attention immediately, not only for the sake of your health, but also to provide evidence of your injuries. The doctor or hospital treating you will keep a record of the type and extent of your injuries, and these records can later be called upon when in court.
  • Receipts – Keep receipts of any expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as prescriptions, travel expenses, private medical treatment etc. Pay slips will also be useful if you are claiming for lost earnings.
  • Report the accident to the police – This is a legal requirement if someone has been injured but it also means that there will be a report, and therefore evidence, of the accident and what happened.

Whilst no amount of compensation can make up for the physical and psychological trauma of an RTA, it can at least make sure you’re not out of pocket, and help to set you on the path to recovery, and surely that’s the least you can expect?