UK ROAD ACCIDENT SOLICITORS ADVICE

If you are injured on a road, highway, footpath, carriageway, footway or cycleway as a result of negligence of another person, then you may be entitled to compensation. Road users have a duty of care to ensure that they do not injure other persons using the same road. If that duty is breached, for example through reckless or careless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and an accident results, then those responsible for the accident will be liable to pay compensation to anyone who has been injured in the accident.

In some circumstances your road accident solicitors may be able to sue the highway authority if their negligence has caused or contributed to your accident. You may have a case against the highway/road authority if they have failed to take reasonable measures in maintaining the highway/road. When determining whether reasonable measures have been taken, it is necessary to consider the character of the road and the nature of the traffic using it. Not all roads will be maintained to the same standard.

There are many complex techniques used by accident reconstruction specialists to determine the circumstances of the accident. The layout of the road, its features and the state of maintenance/repair may all be contributory to the occurrence of the accident. An engineering specialist may be needed for a site visit to secure photographic and video evidence.

It may be necessary to obtain certain documentation as part of the investigation process. For example - copies of any policy statements issued by the authority, highway/road authority procedures, works records such as work orders, invoices, duty logs and inspection records.

Some of the issues your road accident solicitors will consider when determining the cause of the accident include:

• Road Geometry- roads are required to be designed to national standards.
• Signage & Road Markings - provision, integrity and condition are important.
• Drainage Systems - is the road unsafe by virtue of surface water?
• Road Works - signing, lighting and guarding should be considered.
• Visibility at Bends and Junctions.
• Skidding Resistance of the Road Surface.
• Containment Systems - safety fences, guardrails, barriers etc.
• The effect of weather conditions - floods, excessive heat, ice, snow.

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