Unfortunately most of us will have witnessed or been involved in a Road Traffic Accident at some time or other. With the number of cars on our roads ever increasing and with the Department of Transport recording 200,000 injuries every year as a result of RTA’s, we have put together a step by step guide of what you should do if the worst happens.
1 - Record the other vehicles registration number.
2 - Make a note of the date, time, location and weather conditions of when the accident occurred.
3 - Record the name, address and contact details of the other driver.
4 - If witnesses are present, also record their contact details (this could prove vital later in any claim process)
5 - If you or any passenger has sustained injuries report the accident to the Police. Make a note of the incident number and the attending officer’s badge number. You are legally obliged to notify the Police if you are involved in an RTA that results in injury.
6 - Take photographs/ draw diagrams of the scene, no matter how slight you believe the damage to be (again, this could prove to be vital)
7 - Have your injuries examined and recorded by a medical professional and take photographs of any visual injuries that may have been sustained.
For a indepth chat about whether you can claim and who you should instruct following your car accident, feel free to call us on 0800 634 75 75 for the very best advice regarding your car accident compensation claim.
When considering the most dangerous jobs in Britain Farming may not be the first job to spring to mind. However, in recent months the occupation has hit the headlines, reporting two fatalities in September 2008 alone.
There are a number of different factors that make Farming one of the most dangerous occupations. Vehicles, machinery and animal handling account for the majority of fatal accidents in the agricultural industry. Falling from heights is also another, this is due a large number of agricultural buildings having thin roofing that is unable to bear the weight of an average man.
It is reported that one in twenty injuries on farms are related to falling from or through fragile roofs. Lifting and handling heavy machinery, feed etc should always be avoided where possible and instead the appropriate equipment such as a folk lift be used instead. Hazardous substances such as fertilizers, pesticides and animal medication are also huge dangers and should all always be correctly handled and stored away. Further information on the correct procedures can be found on the defra site.
Another common injury often contracted by farmers and labourers is whole body vibration (WBV) The use of tractors and other mobile agricultural machinery over long periods of time can lead to WBV. The most common effect of WBV is pain the lower back. Chronic WBV exposures however, may irritate spinal tissues. This can result in inflammation which can lead further to degeneration of the intervertebral discs.
If you believe that you may have suffered a personal injury and would like one of our expert team to assess the surrounding circumstances and your eligibility to receive compensation please contact us on 0800 634 75 75
According to US Ski Association 165,000 people are seriously injured on the slopes every year. Injuries include; fractures, torn and ruptured ligaments and knee injuries. It is estimated that Ski-related knee injuries alone exceed $250 million in medical bills each year in the US.
It is the general view that Skiing is a fast and dangerous sport. The people that participate in the extreme sport accept the obvious and necessary dangers that come hand in hand with Skiing.
In Vermont USA, an injured Skier who was left paralyzed after he collided with a bush received compensation. After his lawyer successfully argued that the bush should have been removed. In upholding the verdict the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that not every ski-related fall was inherent with the danger of the sport itself. And that the Ski operators have the same duty of care that other businesses have to their visitors.
Skiing-related injury cases can arise in a number of different circumstances:-
* Where there is a downhill collision with an object either natural or man-made.
* Skiers, snowboarders and people in control of snowmobiles and grooming equipment have a duty to be in control to the extent that their abilities allow and to avoid injuring others.
* Ski lift accidents – getting on and off the lifts can often lead to problems and injury. Half of all fatalities that have occurred historically on the slopes have been related to failure in the lift cable or carrier.
You may be entitled to receive compensation if you have sustained an injury, illness or have been involved in an accident whilst on holiday you may be entitled to claim compensation. If the injury was sustained whilst you were holidaying in the UK, the claim could be dealt with similarly to any other personal injury claim. However, if the injury occurred whilst holidaying aboard certain rules may apply throughout the conduct of your case.
Claiming for injuries aboard.
The tour operator is responsible for you whilst you are on holiday and staying in one of their assigned hotels, restaurants, activity parks etc. Therefore, if necessary health and safety regulations are not exercised correctly, and as a result you have sustain an injury, illness or are involved in an accident then the tour operator could be held responsible.
Cruises – if you are injured whilst cruising, it may be possible that a claim can be issued against the insurance company covering the cruise liner itself.
Airlines – if you are injured on a fight, it may be possible that a claim of compensation can be issued against the airline.
What to do if injured whilst aboard:
Report the injury, illness or accident to the hotel staff and travel representative at the time the incident occurs. Record the accident in the necessary accident book. Take names and addresses of any witnesses to the incident. Take photographs of the area the accident happened and any visible injuries. Keep all receipts relating to the extra costs that you incur as a result of your injury, such as; travel expenses and prescription costs.
If you want further information on pursuing a claim for an accident abroad, feel free to call us without any obligation on 0800 634 75 75.
Personal injuries sustained and suffered whilst out shopping are more common than you might first think. Most personal injuries that occur in a supermarket are as a result of a slip, trip or fall. This is often due to a slippery fall, whether it be through spilt food or drink, residue cleaning products, falling over obstacles, being hit by goods falling from the shelves or discarded food wrappers. If you have sustained a personal injury whilst out shopping that was not your fault you may be able to claim compensation against the supermarket.
The Supermarket has a duty of care to you as their customer from the moment you enter their store. Therefore, if there is any risk of a slip, trip or fall on a slippery fall or on an uneven or broken pavement the floor should be correctly marked by the supermarket to highlight the danger and to avoid injuries being sustained.
However, if injuries are sustained you must insist the accident be recorded in the accident book correctly and seek medical attention if required. Note down the scene of the accident and any witnesses details, as these could prove to be vital in any compensation claim.
f you have suffered a personal injury of this nature and wish to discuss the particular circumstances of your case call one of our team today in order we may assess your individual situation and advise you of the best course of action.
Research has shown that most drivers do not take into account the weather conditions when beginning a journey, particularly rainy weather. However, with 24% of all car crashes occurring during bad weather such as; ice, snow and rain. The weather and how it will impact on your driving and the handling of your car must always be considered, particularly, as we enter into the winter months.
During a crash your body continues to move at the speed your car was travelling until it is stopped, be is by a seatbelt, airbag or at worst a windshield. Your internal organs also travel at the same speed until they hit your rib cage. For example; if you are travelling at 60 MPH and your car hits a solid wall and come to an immediate stop your body will continue to move at 60 MPH until it is stopped!
In order to combat the number of road traffic accidents that occur as a result of bad weather the following advice is suggested;
* Keep your speed down.
* Turn your lights on. Make yourself more visible to other motorist.
* Increase the distance between you and other travelling vehicles (at least three times more space than usual)
* Brake lightly to avoid skidding.
* If your wheels begin to lock ease off the brake.
* Use low gears.
* Do not use cruise control.
* Take extra care on roads that are less well used
* Do not assume your vehicle can handle all weather conditions.
Road traffic accidents can be extremely stressful and traumatic, however this can be heightened when the other driver involved in the collision fails to stop and exchange details.
If you have been involved in a ‘hit and run’ accident you may be able to recover compensation for any injuries that you have sustained along with certain personal losses. The claim is conducted slightly differently through the Motor Insurers Bureau. (MIB) Which is funded by UK insurers specially for the purpose of helping accident victims in ‘hit and run’ situations.
Government statistics show that a ‘hit and run’ drivers are responsible for more than 1 in 10 personal injury road accidents. Therefore we have put together a guide of what you should do if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
1: Where possible record the vehicles number plate.
2 : Note down any witnesses names and addresses, this could prove to be crucial in your claim.
3 : Report the accident to the police immediately.
4 : Seek medical attention/treatment for any injuries you may have sustained.
5 : Take photographs of the accident scene and the damage that the collision has caused to your vehicle.
6 : Take photographs of any injuries you may have sustained.
7 : Obtain an estimate of how much repairing the damage to your vehicle would cost.
PLEASE NOTE THE MIB ONLY DEAL WITH RESPAIR COSTS IF THE OTHER VEHILCE IS IDENTIFIED OR TRACED.
With winter just a few weeks away and the credit crunch biting at our toes, we thought it might be worthwhile posting this funny car accident video to help bring a smile to a few worried faces out there. We hope you enjoy.
Helmand Province in Aghanistan, has been the scene of some of the fiercest fighting between the Taleban and British Troops. Now, locals caught up in the war zone are demanding compensation, from the British Army, for the loss of family members, crops and livestock, mostly sheep. Bombardier Robert Richardson, who deals with all the claims said, “I do three claims clinics a week. I’d say we get 25 people each day, sometimes we get 60 people in one day. Most of them will be claiming for houses that have been damaged or destroyed. Some people come in about relatives who have been injured.”
Unfortunately, for the locals in the area, the Taleban take over their houses prior to a gun fight knowing full well that the British Army have to open fire upon the community. Hence, the large build-up of injury claims against the British Army, which they have termed ‘collateral damage.’
Compensating the Afghan people quickly for their losses is a form of winning their hearts and minds by the British Army. Major Mike Shervington adds, “If we decided not to give them any money or medical help if we after accidently shot someone, then which way are they going to vote? They’re going to say, ‘Well the Taleban will help me’.”
It is most often the case, that after a person has received a nasty brain injury, they will endure severe life changes after the accident. Head injuries can hamper everyday common tasks that most sufferers took for normal prior to the accident. Relationships can be put under heavy strain, marriages can disintegrate and family life can dissolve into a distant memory. Never mind the expense involved as a person undergoes rehabilitation for medical treatment and constant care and attention. It is easy to see why the trauma of a brain injury does not stop at the person who has suffered the accident.
Head and brain injury is most common in road traffic accidents, work related accidents and slips, trips and falls. The effects are due to the soft tissue of the brain being slammed against the hard internal bone structure of the skull. It can cause concussion and in really serious cases can lead to brain damage and even death.
The Injury Lawyers understand the sensitivity required when dealing with brain or head injury compensation claims. If you feel you would like to discuss our services for this type of injury then call us on 0800 634 7575 and speak to a professional lawyer about pursuing a claim for a brain injury.
