Of all road traffic accidents in the UK, around half of these involve motorists, with car users accounting for 44% of road deaths in the UK in 2018.
With road safety and air quality now becoming top of the agenda of issues, it is not the time to take travelling by car lightly. Interestingly, the majority of all fatalities occur on country roads, with a failure to look out properly being one of the most frequently reported factors contributing to accidents.
This can create challenges when an individual needs to pursue a claim following an accident. With vehicles in particular, a claim is not always just about receiving fair compensation for an accident that was not your fault, it can often also be how a temporary replacement vehicle is sought and how the cost of rehabilitative treatment is covered.
Both of these are things that anyone involved in a car accident is highly likely to need. It’s therefore important to be aware of the steps you need to take immediately following a road traffic accident.
What to do in a road traffic accident
- Check the scene for anyone who is injured and contact emergency services
- If it is safe to do so, take photos of the scene and the vehicle damage
- If the accident was caused by a fault in the road, also take a photo of this if it is safe to do so
- Take the contact details of any present witnesses
- Contact an expert legal team to establish your chances of a successful claim
How long after a road traffic accident can you claim?
The limitation period for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the accident. However, it is strongly recommended that you start the claims process as soon as possible, because the longer it is left the harder it is to gather and verify evidence in support of your claim.
How many road traffic accidents are there per year in the UK?
The figures vary from year to year, but for the past three years on average there have been around 24,000-25,000 serious injuries resulting from road traffic accidents, with just over 1700 fatalities.
How to claim following a road traffic accident
The most important thing is to select a solicitor with specialist expertise in personal, serious and catastrophic injury claims. At Specters Solicitors we have over 25 years of experience in these types of claims and will do everything we can to ensure you get the compensation and rehabilitation that you need following an accident.
