Road Traffic Accident Claims



Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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Being involved in a road traffic accident can often be a traumatic and frightening experience. If you have been lucky you will only have suffered some minor injuries and damage to your vehicle. However, in some situations the consequences of the road traffic accident can be far more catastrophic. Whether you have been a driver, motorcyclist, passenger, or pedestrian, if you've been involved in a road traffic accident that was caused by another vehicle in the last three years, you could be entitled to claim compensation. In order to make a claim, it will be essential to show that the other party involved was at fault.

Suffering a whiplash injury

Whiplash injuries are most commonly associated with road traffic accidents. This type of injury can occur from a high speed impact or a forceful jerk. For example, when a car slams unexpectedly into the back of your car, or rear-ends your car. Whiplash symptoms can vary from victims suffering from pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. Sometimes, the intensity of the injuries is sometimes not evident for days or even weeks following the accident.

The amount of compensation you will receive will largely depend on how severe your injuries are, and how much you have suffered as a direct result from the road traffic accident.

What you should do following a road traffic accident

All cars and motor vehicles are required by law to have insurance to protect against any road traffic accidents that could potentially occur. Therefore, if you are involved in a road traffic accident, the first step you should take is to exchange insurance details with the other party, as your claim for personal injury will be made against the insurance company of the third party.

Moreover, in order to progress your claim, your solicitor will need the names, addresses, and vehicle registrations of the parties involved in the road traffic accident. On some occasions the parties will exchange opinions on who was at fault for causing the accident. In these cases, it is useful to make note of what was said following the accident. In some situations the parties will disagree on who caused the accident. If this is the case, then a further more detailed investigation will need to be carried out. If it is possible to take photographs of the vehicles involved in the accident, then it will be beneficial to your claim. Photographs should be taken of the cars/motorbikes, and any skid marks on the road etc.

On some occasions the vehicle owners will not be present. If this is the case, write down their details. If there were any witnesses present at the scene of the accident, it is recommended that you make a note of their names and addresses as well. As with most personal injury claims, in order for your case to be successful, it will be necessary to prove the negligence of the other party involved which resulted in your injury.

One point to consider is that if the opponent is successful in demonstrating that the road accident was partly caused by contributory negligence on your part, then it is likely that the damages will be reduced accordingly.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about Solicitors, solicitor, compensation claims, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

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