Road Traffic Accidents

Road Traffic Accidents

We are specialists in helping victims from a variety of road traffic accidents and will use our expertise to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve so you can concentrate on getting better.

About road traffic accidents

There are a number of reasons for an accident to take place on the road, such as negligence, criminal behaviour and conditions. Some of the most common causes we have handled cases for include:

• Driver negligence, for example, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and using a mobile phone, eating or drinking while driving
• Adverse weather conditions, such as snow, rain and ice
• Reckless behaviour, including speeding, driving with undue care and attention and unnecessary distractions such as music
• Poor road conditions, for example, roadworks, potholes and other road defects

Also, there are many different types of road users who can be involved in an accident, including:

• Cars
• Motorcycles
• Bicycles
• Passengers
• Pedestrians
• HGV or lorries
• Caravans

Injuries caused by road traffic accidents vary from minor cuts and bruises to serious conditions such as brain damage and amputations. To read more about serious road accidents, click here.

We are also aware that many people can find it difficult to travel in a car after an accident and will arrange the best possible treatment to help you recover, including physiotherapy and counselling.

Who is responsible?

If your accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, then they are responsible for your injuries and a claim will be made against their insurance company. If the weather or the conditions of the road were responsible for your accident, the local council responsible for that area will be held accountable if there has not been enough done to prevent an accident from happening.

For claims where the driver cannot be traced or they are uninsured, a claim may be able to be made with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). To make a claim with the MIB, you must show that you have made every effort to locate the driver by either:

• Reporting the accident to the police
• Reporting the accident to your insurance company
• Making enquiries to find the registered owner of the vehicle

Our solicitors can help you make a claim no matter who was responsible for your accident or if you were involved in a hit and run or hit by a stolen car or uninsured driver.

What to do when you’ve been injured

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, there can be a lot of people and organisations to deal with, especially in the initial few weeks. Here are some tips that could help in certain situations:

1. Do not admit liability, even partial fault until you have sought independent legal advice.

2. Call the police and ask them to attend the accident scene.

3. Take down registration numbers and the make, model and colour of the vehicles involved in the accident.

4. If there are any witnesses, take their full names, contact telephone number, address and email address.

5. Take photographs of the accident scene with a camera or on your camera phone, including any skid marks.

6. Take photographs of the damage to the vehicles involved.

7. Check to see if there are any CCTV cameras that may have caught the accident. If so, ask for a copy of the recording.

8. Check that your vehicle is roadworthy before driving it away from the accident scene. If in doubt, seek guidance and arrange recovery of your vehicle.

9. If you or any other person involved in the accident is injured, consider calling an ambulance or seeking medical advice as soon as possible.

10. If you believe the accident was not your fault, seek advice from a specialist personal injury law firm, such as Aequitas Legal.

Please note that these tips do not constitute as legal advice and are for guidance only. If you would like to discuss an accident that you have been involved in, please contact us.

Making a claim for compensation

A road traffic accident claim must be made within three years of the incident unless it can be proven that injuries, which have only just become apparent, were caused by a previous accident. Next, if you were not responsible for the accident, you must be able to determine who was responsible for the accident. If the driver is untraceable or uninsured, we are able to pursue a claim with the MIB.

To make a successful claim, you must have received medical assistance for your injuries because the reports created by medical professionals will be able to prove the pain and suffering you have experienced. As well as your injuries, a claim can be made for damage to your vehicle – be it a car, motorcycle or bicycle. To ensure you receive the maximum amount, keep hold of any receipts or invoices of any repairs.

For more information on making a claim, take a look at our guide to the claims process.

Why choose Aequitas Legal?

The team at Aequitas Legal believes that recovering from your injury should be your focus following a road traffic accident and we understand the distress an injury can place on you and your family. That’s why we provide a service made up of comprehensive and easy-to-understand advice that aims to guide you through claims process as quickly and efficiently as possible.

We will fight for your interests and needs to make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation to not only help you recover from your injuries, but provide support during and after your recovery.

How we have helped others

To read about how we have helped others in a similar situation, please take a look at our road traffic accident case studies.

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“A road traffic accident (RTA) can leave you in a great deal of pain and discomfort. Many people can find themselves nervous or anxious when travelling in a car after an accident.”

Call us for reliable, accessible and friendly advice:
0161 358 0800