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Car accidents in winter can come with serious consequences. Whilst Christmas can be exciting, it can also mean that the road becomes more of a dangerous place than ever. Not only do you have over-zealous drivers trying to get from store to store, but the wintery conditions may end up making it too difficult to keep a safe from other cars.

Now, it’s believed that after the 2nd December, when the second lockdown ends, the shops and gyms will re-open in the UK in time for Christmas shopping. Most people are going to shop online for their presents, but there will always be people who decide that they want to take the risk of visiting a store. It’s not surprising. After all, we have spent months staying inside, including working from home. So, if you do want to take the risk, you should try and be as safe as possible, especially when you are out on the road.

If you have recently been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to get in contact with Gowing Law to get the compensation that you deserve. Click the button below to find out more!

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Why does Christmas increase the chance of car accidents?

With winter ahead of us, it makes the roads more dangerous to drive on. Winter roads can increase the chance of ice and black ice, meaning that if your tyres do not have any grip then your car could slide off the road. Did you know that drivers are actually 4 times more likely to experience a car accident in the lead up to Christmas? This means that there is a higher chance that you get hurt on the road than in any other holiday season.

The reason why the Christmas season is so dangerous for car drivers is due to:

  • Overcrowded roads
  • Impatient drivers
  • Drunken drivers
  • Wet and snowy roads
  • Impaired vision

Keep this in mind when you go out on the roads. If you are aware of what other drivers can potentially do then that means you may have time to think about how you can prevent an accident from happening.

drunk driving and car accidents

Weather Conditions, Winter Roads and Car Accidents

Both warm and cold weather can have an adverse effect on road condition. Now, a lot of the time accidents tend to happen in summer because drivers get complacent and believe that the roads are entirely safe. However, in winter, accidents tend to happen because of the impact of winter weather. If it rains then this could cause ice to freeze upon the road and cause vehicles to slip around. This can get even worse if there is black ice. After all, it is camouflaged on the road and you may miss it if you are driving quickly. This can cause car accidents.

If you need to drive on a winter road, make sure to be aware of the potential for environmental hazards that could damage your vehicle.

winter roads and car accidents

As you can see there are many ways that the road could be dangerous during winter time. Not only can the heat and cold expand any potholes, but any snow, rain, sleet or mist can make it nearly impossible to manoeuvre a car safely. The same can be said for motorbikes and any public transport. In fact, it may be harder for larger vehicles to be able to safely move on the road when there is ice. It is essential that they move slowly. If not then they may end up colliding with another vehicle.

What should I do to keep safe on the road and avoid car accidents?

We would highly advise that you do not go out when the roads are wet and dangerous. That’s because it is more likely that you will get involved in an accident. However, if you need to travel for essential reasons, you should follow these safety tips in order to ensure that do not get hurt:

winter road gif

The best way for you to keep safe when you go out is to make sure that you all of the needed necessities just in case you breakdown. This includes having a repair kit, blankets, food and drink on you. You should also have a hazard triangle on you to warn other drivers that you have broken down. Consider wearing a luminous jacket or bright clothing to make sure that you are spotted. You may also want to use your warning lights to ensure that people can see you. That way car accidents can be avoided even if your vehicle is not moving.

car accidents and car lights

How should I prepare my vehicle to avoid car accidents?

If you are driving around in the snow, it’s important that you drive carefully in order to avoid a car accident. The main thing you should be thinking about when it comes to winter weather are your own actions. You can’t control the actions of other drivers. But you can also make sure that you use the highest gear to avoid your wheel spinning in the ice and snow. Make sure to also drive slowly around the roads and avoid harsh breaking. If you harshly break, you may find that your car starts to skid. Should you find yourself skidding, do not immediately brake. Instead, ease off the accelerator and allow your car to come to a natural stop. That way there is less chance of it over turning or hitting another vehicle on the road.

How do I know if I was not responsible for a car accident?

If you have recently been involved in a car accident due to bad weather, you may be wondering to yourself if you could get compensation for what happened to you. Now, the first thing you need to discern is whether or not you were responsible for the accident. All drivers have a “duty of care” towards other vehicle owners on the road. That means that they are responsible for their own actions that could put others at risk. If you got hurt because of someone else being irresponsible on the road, you could claim compensation for getting hurt.

Being a victim of another driver’s negligence can include:

  • The driver being distracted
  • A driver eating, drinking or using a phone
  • An intoxicated driver
  • A driver suffering from road rage.

However, you may also have suffered from an accident due to your environment, the manufacturer of the car or even any repair work done on the car. If you can prove that you are not at fault for the accident, you will be eligible to make a compensation claim.

alternative groups responsible for car accidents

What sort of damages can I suffer from in a car accident?

Now, if you have suffered from a car accident, it is likely that you have experienced physical damages. Car accidents can be extremely traumatic and can give you a wide array of injuries. These can be short-term or cause you long-term ailments. Something as simple as whiplash can cause you spinal problems in the future. The more severe your injuries are, the more likely that you will be able to claim for a larger amount of compensation. Make sure to write down all of the injuries you have suffered from, or ask for a medical report so that you can proved how you were physically impacted from the accident.

Asides from physical injuries, you could also suffer from other types of damages. These include:

  • Emotional damages
  • Financial damages
  • Equipment damages
  • Loss of opportunity (I.e. wages and promotions)

Speak to your solicitor to calculate the amount of compensation that you could be owed. Your lawyer can help you calculate the damages that you are owed. That way when you eventually go together to calculate an amount during your settlement agreement. You deserve to get the highest amount of compensation possible, and our solicitors will be there to support you and make sure you get what is owed.

peak times of traffic and car accidents

What should I do if I am involved in a car accident?

Quite honestly, a car accident can be an extremely traumatic experience. That’s why you may feel unsure or a little dazed when you are caught in the middle of one. But if you follow these instructions then you will get compensation very easily.

The first thing that you should consider is getting medical help. Your injuries may be worse than you think, therefore it is essential that you get the help that you need. Call for an ambulance or the police to document the claim. You can also get a medical report from being checked up by your doctor. It is also important that you get the insurance number and contact details of the other party involved in the accident.

If you are well enough to move around the scene of the accident, you should consider looking for evidence. The more evidence you have, the more likely it is that you will be able to claim a higher amount of compensation for your injuries. Evidence includes:

  • Photographs of the accident and your injuries
  • Video evidence of the accident and environment (including CCTV and dash-cam footage)
  • Witness statements
  • Diary Entries
  • Receipts
  • Medical Records
  • Police Records

collecting RTA evidence

How much could I claim from a car accident?

Quite honestly, the amount you claim depends on the type of accident you have and how serious it is. A more complicated case with bad injuries may mean that a client is owed thousands in compensation. The best thing to do is to speak to your solicitor to find out how much you could be owed. You can work together to come up with an estimate, and then propose it during a settlement agreement.

How long will it take to make a claim?

Again, the amount of time will depend on the complexity of the case. However, it is important to understand that Covid-19 and the UK’s backlog of cases may cause further delays. That’s why you should speak to your lawyer about your case. If any problems arise then you will be the first to know about them, especially if they change your court date.

Is Gowing Law doing anything interesting for Christmas?

Christmas and Gowing Law

Currently Gowing Law’s main focus is PPI tax claims and marriage tax claims. We understand that 2020 has not been a very good year due to the pandemic. That’s why we want to help our clients get a little extra before the Christmas season. That way, any financial mis-handling compensation can either be saved or used to buy presents for loved ones.

Outside of that, Gowing Law is going to have a number of giveaways, competitions and interesting content prepared for Christmas. This includes Christmas themed blogs and videos to keep you coming back to our website for more! Make sure to keep an eye on our blog page, our newsletter and social media to see the latest updates. If you have any questions make sure to let us know by writing into info@gowinglaw.co.uk.

Make a car accident compensation claim with Gowing Law Solicitors

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Here at Gowing Law, we will always work hard to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve. If you have been hurt in a car accident, our solicitors can give you free advice and consultations to help you figure out what you could be entitled to. If you want to work with our team, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means there will be no hidden fees and you will always come out on top.

Get in contact today by calling us on 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker.

Ready to learn more?

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Gowing Law’s blog is always updated with the latest information about car accidents. That way if you have recently been involved in some sort of collision, you can understand that the basics of your claim before you even make it! Not only that, but our blog is here to help you keep updated about the latest seasonal events that are going on at our law firm. Click the button above to read more blogs on our website. You can also follow our social media below to check out our latest giveaways and competitions.

Happy Christmas!

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Gowing Law are a professional law firm that specialises in the personal injury sector of the industry. Gowing Law are Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

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Gowing Law is law firm based in Manchester but offer their legal services nationwide. We specialise in the personal injury claims and our team of solicitors have the experience and expertise needed to handle your case and help you through the claims process.

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