UK PASSENGER ACCIDENT CLAIM ADVICE

RTAs account for around three quarters of all accidental deaths between the ages of 15 and 24 and for every death between two and three people are permanently disabled. The severity of the injuries suffered is dependant upon the safety measures available and used in the car, e.g. seatbelts and the presence of airbags; the type of car which will vary in strength and construction; age (the older the victim the more severe the injuries are likely to be); speed of impact; type of collision and type of impact.

In frontal impacts, unrestrained front seat occupants may hit the windscreen glass. This may lead to the window shattering and the occupant could be ejected out through the windscreen. The front seat passenger, even when restrained by a seatbelt, may sustain injuries such as rib, sternum, heart or lung damage. With rear collisions, vehicle occupants commonly suffer neck injuries. Heavy side impact collisions can cause injuries ranging from fractures to the skull and ribcage and pelvis.

If you were not the driver and have suffered an injury whilst travelling in a car, bus, taxi or any other type of vehicle, then you may be able to make a passenger accident claim. You may be entitled to compensation if you were:

• injured as a result of another person’s negligent driving
• injured as a result of a defective road
• injured as a result of negligence by a pedestrian

The driver of the car you are travelling in owes you a duty of care and so do other drivers and other road users. If this duty is breached and you suffer personal injury, then you are entitled to make a passenger accident claim in order to be compensated for your injuries and any other losses incurred as a result of the accident. Compensation is almost always awarded to injured passengers, as they are usually faultless - the accident is usually caused by someone else. Even if your driver was at fault, you can still claim compensation.

The amount of personal injury compensation that you will be entitled to will depend on the extent of your injuries and disabilities, including whether they have resolved or are ongoing. You may also be entitled to compensation for loss of income, medical and pharmaceutical expenses and any other expenses incurred as a result of the accident.

Note that the amount of compensation that you will receive may be reduced if you were not wearing a seatbelt. Your damages award may also be reduced if you knew, or ought to have known that the driver was unfit to drive, say for example, they were intoxicated.

Here are 3 good reasons to choose our lawyers:

1. Our lawyers will provide you with legal advice on your rights and entitlements to compensation with no further obligation.
2. Our solicitors are specialist accredited expert members of the Law Society personal injury panel with extensive experience in negotiating, settling and litigating accident compensation claims.
3. If you decide to instruct any of our specialists to obtain compensation for you, they will act on a “no win no fee” basis. Compensation is paid in full and win or lose there is no charge.¹