Passenger Accident Claims
For the year ending in June 2020, there were 24,470 incidents in which someone was either killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents. This figure was inclusive of passengers as well as drivers.
If you have been unfortunate enough to find yourself in a car accident as a passenger, there is some reassurance in the fact that there is no way for you to be deemed liable for the cause of the incident, gaining the victim far more compensation rights.
As a result, claiming compensation is far more simple for the passenger. A life changing injury can be sustained as a passenger travelling by car, bus, train, or even boat.
Your personal injuries can clearly have a significant impact on your entire life, from your ability to work to your capacity to enjoy time spent doing the things you love.
Injury Claims
All drivers owe a duty of care to their passengers. The operator of a vehicle is obliged to drive safely as to prevent injuring themselves, their passengers, and other road users.
Recklessness and negligence by a driver which results in serious injury or fatality enables the passenger or their heirs (in the event of death) to claim against the driver.
The same goes if the driver of another vehicle was at fault whilst you were a passenger. In certain circumstances, you may be able to sue the local authority where the accident occurred if a road surface, pothole, or faulty streetlight was to blame.
Furthermore, you may be able to claim against the car manufacturer for accidents caused by malfunction.
The severity of injuries differs in all cases and reflect in the compensation earned. Common injuries for vehicle occupants include:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries, for example deep lacerations and serious cuts
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Broken bones or fractures
- Psychological injuries
Claiming Compensation
There is an understandable hesitancy claiming against someone you know, such as a friend or family member. You may feel concerned that they will be left with a substantial bill they can’t afford, harming them as well as yourself.
On the contrary, if the driver has insurance, then it is the insurance company that pay for your compensation, not the driver directly. You may have been aware that the driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or they were using an electronic device.
Although this could affect the amount of compensation you may be paid, you are still entitled to make a claim.
There is no need to feel uncomfortable about this situation. This reality is conducive to any compensation claim made against a driver. The person that you are claiming against may lose their no claims bonus, which may lead to higher insurance costs- however this is usually a small price to pay to ensure that your quality of life does not take an even bigger hit than you have already sustained from the incident.
For example, if you were a passenger in a taxi, by law all taxi drivers must have public liability insurance to account for such unfortunate circumstances. The common reasons for passenger accident claims are as follows:
A collision with another vehicle as a passenger, such as a car accident,
- Heavy braking which has caused injury on public transport, such as hitting your head or falling over on a bus or a train,
- A bus or driver not giving enough time for you to disembark, causing you to fall over,
- Poor road conditions,
- Reckless driving and speeding
Seeking Justice
Sustaining an injury from a road traffic accident has significant and often devastating implications on your quality of life, sometimes extending to those around you.
Compensation enables an increased comfortability and aids in preventing a future of financial, physical, and mental struggles.
You have a right to seek justice against a negligent party, regardless of who they may be. If you don’t, you may unfortunately suffer more consequences.
Your compensation will pay not only for the mental and physical suffering that you have endured as a result of your accident, but also expenses you may have had to take out of your own pocket. It is imperative to keep receipts.
These expenses include medical costs, travel expenses, and even a loss of income. You tend to have three years to claim from either the date of the injury or when you were made aware about the injury (for example, if your accident caused you to be in a coma). Because of the limited time available to claim, it is always advised to seek help as soon as possible.
No Win No Fee
A No Win No Fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) in the legal world, is an arrangement between a claimant and solicitor. In simple terms a ‘No Win No Fee’ arrangement means that you will not pay a fee if your claim is unsuccessful.
“No Win No Fee“ typically our personal injury clients pay up to of the amount recovered in compensation, although this will be subject to the individual circumstances of the claim and the actual fee may be less than this.
Local personal injury solicitors
We all know that accidents can happen. Recovery from such injuries can take time or be life-changing. The financial impact from the loss of earnings and unexpected rehabilitation, medical and other associated costs can be significant, putting you and your family at risk at a time when you are at your most vulnerable.
Whatever the cause of your injury, if it was an accident that you have suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence – either partly or fully – you could be eligible to claim compensation.
At Stonehewer Moss, our expert personal injury solicitors are here to offer you independent, trusted advice to help secure the financial compensation and rehabilitation support you need to get your life back on track.
Why Choose Stonehewer Moss Solicitors?
If you are injured in an accident you will want the best team of experts who know personal injury law and are highly qualified within this area. Its crucial to obtain the very best solicitors as this can be a critical factor in obtaining the maximum compensation you deserve. Selecting the right solicitor will greatly increase your chances of winning your claim.
At Stonehewer Moss Solicitors we have years of experience dealing with high value complex claims. Our solicitors know the laws and regulations that exist to protect you which is all the more important to choose the very best.
Talk to one of our personal injury claims specialists
Call us on freephone 0800 434 6544 or 01606 87 22 00
CONTACT US ONLINE.
We can help you by
- Securing early payment of compensation to cover urgent financial commitments such as mortgage/rent, medical expenses etc.
- Obtaining compensation for your injuries to cover short term and future costs.
- Recovering any loss of earnings and other expenses you may have incurred.
- Dealing with the defendant and their insurers.
- Providing you with access to specialist rehabilitation care.
