Road traffic accidents (or RTAs) are a lot more common that you might think. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.35 million people are killed in around 40 million RTAs every year, making them the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.
Often life changing for all concerned, it’s important to understand that while experiencing an RTA may change your life, there are avenues available to help soften the blow or provide compensation when it truly matters most.
So, how common is an RTA and what options do you have after being involved in one?
In the UK, between June 2017 and June 2018, there were 165,100 RTA casualties, including 1,770 deaths.
Yet despite all of this data, it is almost impossible to answer the question: how common are RTAs? This is because RTAs very often depend on the skill and awareness of the driver.
Drivers error is cited as the most common reason for a traffic accident, and this means that many RTAs will result in a lawsuit or civil action of some kind. If you are a driver, any distraction, diversion or mistake could lead to an agonising legal battle or a costly insurance settlement.
However, if you are the victim of a RTA, you could be eligible for compensation. But only if you choose to take action.
What does an RTA involve?
There is no such thing as a typical RTA. A collision with another vehicle could result in whiplash, spraining, or another relatively minor physical injury or, in a worst-case scenario – significant injury or even death.
As a pedestrian, the physical damage could include broken bones or fractures, requiring immediate medical attention and a substantial period of sick leave.
Any prolonged absence from work could lead to a loss of income or advancement in the workplace – this too is grounds for compensation.And then there is the impact that a RTA can have on your mental health.
Even a small fender-bender can trigger a traumatic response, leaving you too afraid to drive for a period of time. What’s more, in the case of physical injury, there is a ripple effect of stress and anxiety which can affect your caregivers, family and colleagues.
What potential support do you have?
The legal system is here to protect you from incurring any unnecessary and prolonged pain as a result of an RTA which was not your fault. Any victim of a traffic accident in the UK is entitled to make a claim for compensation, and this compensation should cover any lost income, damages to yourself or your vehicle, and emotional damage that resulted from the accident.
Thankfully, the UK’s emergency services are highly trained and will be able to provide you with immediate care and medical support. If the situation is severe, any dispatched officers will also be able to ensure that you are given the correct guidance you need to pursue a claim or ensure that you capture all relevant details surrounding the incident.
However, it is important to remember that while road traffic accidents occur every day, in every part of the UK – it does not mean that the roads are fundamentally dangerous. Unsafe drivers are – fortunately – in the minority, but when their actions cause harm to safe drivers and innocent pedestrians, they have to be held accountable.
We all have a responsibility to drive safely, keep to the laws of the road and be mindful of other road-users. Thankfully, most drivers take this seriously.If you have been involved in an RTA in or around the Liverpool area, Wafer Phillips will be able to help you to navigate the legal journey ahead. We have more than 27 years of experience in this field, and we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means that we won’t charge you anything if your case fails to result in a settlement or a court win.
Get in touch
If you want to learn more, our team at Wafer Philips are here to help. Our expert teams are on-hand to provide the care and guidance you require in the wake of a RTA – allowing you to claim, make a case in your defence, or simply enjoy peace of mind in the follow-up to any incident.
You can review our list of services from here or you can take a look at our testimonials.
If you have specific questions about your case or feel that you have a potential claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch directly and let our team know exactly what you need.
