Safe drivers are happy drivers!
Road accidents can happen to even the safest of drivers. We are all aware that wintery conditions can increase the amount of dangers on the road. In the summer, the danger comes from our attitudes to other drivers. However, in winter, although we are more careful, we have visibility issues and winter weather that can cause the care to slip around on icy roads. According to a survey by 1st central, a car insurer, over 65% of motorists have experienced an accident due to winter weather. That’s why, here at Gowing Law, we are determined to make sure that you keep safe whilst driving, that way you can enjoy Christmas to the fullest.
Right now, Gowing Law is focused on helping our clients with their PPI Tax Claims and Marriage Tax Claims in order to get the pay-out that they deserve. That way they can have some extra savings just in time for Christmas. However, we also are aware that other accidents can happen during winter.
If you suffer from injuries that are not your fault in a traffic accident, Gowing Law can help you. Find out more information by looking at our car accident page below:
Winter Road Accidents: What type of vehicles are the most vulnerable?
Honestly, when people think about winter road accidents, they tend to think that there are only a few vehicles that tend to become more vulnerable when they are out on a slippery road. But honestly, all vehicles are vulnerable in different ways. For vans, cars and public transport, they are larger vehicles and may have less control on icy roads. However, for bikes and motorcycles, they are faster and may be prone to accidents around sharp bends or with other vehicles if there is vision obstruction.
The extent of your injuries will depend on the severity of the accident. For instance, if you had a smaller car and you ended up hitting a motorbike due to bad weather, you will find that the injuries of the motorcyclist will be more serious. Keep this in mind if you are going to file a traffic accident claim. Each road traffic accident (RTA) claim is different and you will find that the amount you get as a pay-out will also be different.
What sort of road accidents happen in winter?
As you can see from our video, there are lots of ways that your vehicle could be impacted by cold weather. It’s important that you understand that the cold could affect your fuel, brake fluid and also the grip of your tyres. The snow could also affect your vision. This includes preventing you from seeing other vehicles and also ice glare. We haven’t even spoken about black ice yet. Black ice is almost impossible to see when you are driving, let along walking as a pedestrian.
Just to be blunt, here are few of the accidents that could happen to you if you are driving in the snow:
- Brake fluid problems due to the temperature
- Slippery tyres due to the lack of grip
- Blurred vision
- Extreme speeds due ice
- Foggy environments
Whenever you go out and drive in a snowy environment, don’t forget that you should be at least using your fog lights in order to avoid any visibility issues. However, the best thing you should do is try to avoid driving on snowy days. That way you can avoid getting hurt.
How can I keep safe whilst driving on the road?
If it is essential that you should get out to drive during snow, blizzards or general winter weather, you should make sure to take precautions before you go out on the roads. That way you can always be prepared for any scenario you may encounter. Do not drive on winter roads unless you are fully awake, or at least have caffeinated beverages if it will help you focus on the road.
Take a look at our infographic to get an idea of some additional safety measures you should be considering before you go out on the road in winter. That way you can avoid any type of road accidents.
One of the main things you need to realize about car accidents is that they can happen at any time and in any place. That’s why it’s important to always have an emergency kit on hand. That way if you breakdown you will be able to hold out until help arrives. You should consider packing a blanket, food, water, car supplies, an emergency phone and emergency signs around the vehicle to show your car has broken down. You should also keep your emergency lights on so other drivers know what’s happening.
How could I be eligible for road accident compensation?
Now, when it comes to RTA claims, it’s important that you make sure that you are eligible for the claim. The only way you can have a successful claim is to prove that you were not responsible for the accident. A claim is made in order to compensate you for any injuries you have. All drivers have a responsibility of ensuring the safety of other motorists on the road. This is known as a “duty of care”. If another driver is:
- Not paying attention to the road
- Distracted by a phone, food or drink
- Driving whilst on drugs
- Speeding
- Driving without the appropriate insurance
You could make a compensation claim. But keep in mind that you will need to prove that you are not responsible for the incident. In some cases, a verdict may come back that you are both partially responsible for the accident. That means you will not be able to claim the full amount that you could have been potentially entitled to.
Can only people be responsible for road traffic accidents?
Around 7% of car accidents happen because of unmaintained roads. Now, in most cases, a car accident happens because of people. However, there are other bodies of authority that could be responsible for your accident. For instance, if you got hurt because of a broken road, you haven’t got someone who is physically there in order to blame them for an accident. Additional authorities that could compensate you for an accident include:
- Local government
- Car manufacturers
- Repair Shops
Make sure to think carefully about who you are going to ask compensation from. In some cases, you may need to have more specific help. That’s why it is important that you speak to a solicitor about the accident. They can advise you on how to move forward with your claim and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
What should I do if I am involved in a road accident in winter?
The first thing that you should do is get medical help as quickly as possible. You do not know how bad your injuries are until you get them checked out by a medical professional. To prove you were hurt in the accident, you can also get a medical report.
You should also consider talking to the other person involved in the accident. Take down their insurance and contact details to ensure that you can talk to them before your case is potentially taken to talk about a potential settlement agreement. If you are healthy enough to collect evidence then you should do it. Here are some examples of evidence that can be used in a compensation claims case:
- Photographs of your injuries and the scene of the accident
- Video evidence of the accident (Including CCTV and dash-cam footage)
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Police records
- Receipts
- Evidence of loss of opportunity (such as wages or salary increases)
- Diary Entries
How much could I get from making a road accidents claim?
If you were hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you could be owed thousands in compensation. However, the amount you get entirely depends on your own circumstances. For instance, if you have suffered from bad injuries, you’re naturally going to get a higher amount of compensation than someone who has just suffered a few bruises. The compensation you get is determined by the damages you have suffered from. These include:
- Physical Damages
- Emotional Damages
- Financial Damages
- Equipment Damages
- Loss of Opportunity (i.e. wage increase or job promotions)
When you gather your evidence, make sure to consider these damages as they could add to your claim. Just keep in mind that you can only claim for emotional damages if you have suffered from physical injuries as well. Make sure to also get a medical report to prove that emotional/psychological issues have affected your life ever since your accident.
How long will it take to make a claim?
Honestly, this depends on the severity and complexity of your claim. Naturally, if you have made a claim and the claimant refuses to accept responsibility, you will find that it takes longer than expected to have a successful claim. However, if the person responsible was not an insured driver and was breaking the speed limit, it is likely that the claim will be handled more quickly.
Keep in mind that things may also take longer due to the current lockdown and the backlog of the UK courts. Be patient with your solicitor and speak to them to learn more about an estimate timeline of your claim. They can let you know if there are any delays.
Is Gowing Law doing anything for Christmas?
Now that Gowing Law has just finished our International Men’s Day campaign, we are now set to focus on Christmas! For our clients, we are directing our attention to our PPI tax claims and Marriage Tax Claims. That way they can get a pay-out from 6-8 weeks before Christmas! If you want to find out more, make sure to contact us to find out what you could be missing out on!
Now, in terms of Christmas, Gowing Law has a number of events and blogs planned to put you in the holiday spirit. This includes giveaways, competitions and interesting Christmas themed blogs. Make sure to keep checking back on our blog, newsletters and socials to find out more information! You can also write into info@gowinglaw.co.uk to learn more quickly.
Gowing Law can help you with your road traffic accident claim
If you have got hurt due to a winter road accident, Gowing Law will be here to support you throughout your claim. We can give you expert advice and consultations to get you started. That means you will always know where you stand with our lawyers. If you are happy to work with us, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any fees. You will only need to pay our solicitors if we win your case. So you will always come out on top.
Speak to Gowing Law today about your claim by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. Our specialists will then be in contact to walk you through your claim and make sure you get the largest amount of compensation possible.
Read more about road traffic accidents now!
If you want to learn more about RTA claims, Gowing Law is here to make sure you know the basics! Our blog is constantly updated with new content to make sure you understand everything about different compensation claims and UK legal updates. We also write about our seasonal events and campaigns. So, make sure to check back every week to see what is new. We would also be happy to write about any topics you would like to suggest. Send them in to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. Make sure to also check out our social media to see our latest giveaways and updates.
We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!
