The number is incidents in which an accident claim would be brought in the UK in years gone by has always been quite low. However, this has changed in the last decade or so and more and more claims are being brought as the UK adopts the more litigation orientated approach that is more common in the USA. This has particularly had a bearing on local councils, who have been subjected to increasing numbers of expensive claims.

Most common types of claim

The area of trips and falls are the kinds of accident claim cases that councils most commonly face. If an accident is caused due to a pothole that is deeper than one inch, or paving slab higher than one inch, then the law rules that the council is liable. It is believed that many people take advantage of this law and bring claims against the council even if the accident did not occur in a public place.

Other areas of liability

It is also the councils duty to provide safety in several other public places, such as schools, museums, swimming pools and parks. There are many kinds of injuries that can occur in these kinds of environments and result in an accident claim, especially in schools and parks where children are frequently found.

Impact for everyone

Whenever a council has to settle an accident claim, the result is less money in the pot for the upkeep of public areas. The lack of funds results in things such as more potholes, which increases the likelihood of other incidents. Due to the tough financial climate, with councils already looking at making cuts, the result is that areas deemed less important suffer. One such example is the deterioration of many of our public parks; with swings and climbing frames being removed as the council do not have the funds to maintain the play areas to the high level needed to protect against compensation payouts.

In the past, bringing an accident claim in the UK was a fairly rare step to take. This has altered in recent years and the UK has become more in-line with the blame culture formerly associated with the USA. In particular local councils are facing many claims against them, which are proving costly in the current environment.

Most common types of claim

The kinds of accident claim cases that are most commonly brought against local councils tend to centre on trips and falls on pavements and roads. Where an injury is sustained as a result of an accident involving a pothole that is deeper than one inch, or a raised paving stone that is higher than one inch, law states that the council must take responsibility. It is believed that many people take advantage of this law and bring claims against the council even if the accident did not occur in a public place.

Further areas of liability

The council is also liable to provide safe environments in several other public areas; such as swimming pools, museums, schools and parks. Whilst many accident claim cases can be pursued as a result of injury in all of these places, schools and parks tend to be especially problematic due to the number of children that use them.

Impact in society

Whenever a council has to settle an accident claim, the result is less money in the pot for the upkeep of public areas. This means that more potholes appear in our roads, providing more chance for accidents. In the current economic climate where the government is looking to make cutbacks wherever possible, we are seeing an impact in areas that the council deems less important. A prime example of this in practice can be seen in many of our parks that are being neglected, with swings and roundabouts being removed as the councils do not have the funds to provide safe environments.

It really is sad to see a growth in the number of debatable claims put forth by those who are convinced that they’ve suffered some kind of injury or even deprivation due to a car accident or incident. Frequently, a personal injury claim can be submitted in times where less-than-honest activity is alleged. This is often particularly common in cases involving municipal or government organisations. In these situations, quite a few perpetrators suppose that they are much more likely to obtain a “payment” with minor effort and do not have to move quite so far as to carry the matter to the courtroom.

For instance, we have seen several cases recently whereby individuals within a municipal bus claimed that they had suffered injuries as the bus under consideration was struck by another vehicle. In many of these cases the operator of the different automobile was a part of the rip-off and the aim was to receive an out-of-court pay out from the owner of the bus, typically the municipal authority for example, for every one of the involved travellers.

A lot of these cases come to light because of security camera systems attached to the inside of most of these vehicles which might show that the perpetrators were systematically faking personal injuries. A few, in fact, have been so brazen as to look indifferent at the actual moment of impact, only to feign personal injury a couple of minutes later.

Other times when an injury claim or even accident claim can be seen to be sketchy are whenever one vehicle purposefully decelerates in front of the automobile behind, triggering an impact to create the potential for a claim scenario. It is precisely why insurance carriers tend to be so careful to investigate every one of the cases that come their way nowadays and this is the reason why it’s so crucial that you make sure that you get a personal injury agency on your team that’s street smart and also seasoned.

It really is sad that the behaviour of others who simply have themselves at heart develop additional complications and also impositions for everyone of us who do not. Nevertheless, it means that if you happen to be involved in an accident of any type you should make a plan to record precisely what took place. The great thing is that a lot of our own cellular phones these days may also be quite good quality cameras, if not video cameras. We ought to and really need to use them to assemble just as much information at the point and be sure that we keep all these records available.

We’re going to have to come together to eliminate the sort of insurance fraud which is attaining a hold in our society. This is not to express that you simply should never go after, with all vigour, any kind of claims that you simply feel rightly entitled to due to the negligence of one other party. Provided that you really feel 100% warranted in the case and also possess the necessary information, documents and also photos to back it all up, you’ve got every potential for doing well. Be aware that the most effective personal injury organisations will likely only take on cases if they’re sure themselves that they’re legitimate.

One of the most traumatic experiences that we endure in our lives is that of a car crash. The shock that we suffer can take some getting over, as can any injuries sustained. If the driver at fault fails to stop and instead opts to leave the scene of the accident it can prove even more alarming. Suddenly the victim is left with the worry of who they can bring an accident claim against. But help is at hand in the form of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

Number of uninsured drivers on the rise

A large percentage of motorists that leave the scene of an accident do so because they do not have any car insurance. The number of motorists on our roads without insurance is ever increasing and it is believed that around 1 in 12 drivers do not have a valid insurance policy.

Financial worries

Following a car accident the victim can be left with injuries that mean they cannot work, as well as the cost of replacing their vehicle. This can leave the victim in severe financial difficulties if they can’t bring an accident claim against the driver at fault.

Help from MIB

The Motor Insurer’s Bureau is an organisation that was set up in 1946 with the aim of protecting motorists in the event they are hit by uninsured or untraceable drivers. The victim is compensated by the MIB, which in reality is funded by those motorists that do take out insurance policies. This is because all insurance companies are required by law to register with the MIB and contribute towards its running. The outcome of this is that every person taking out a motor policy pays about £40 more than they would if not for these rogue drivers.

Whilst paying this extra money may stick in our throats a little, you will be happy that the MIB exists in the event that you wish to pursue and accident claim following a hit and run car crash.Whilst the fact that you have to pay this extra on top of your insurance premium is frustrating, do not underestimate how thankful you will be of the MIBs existence if you are involved in a hit and run and wish to bring an accident claim.

Car accidents whether they are serious or only small bumps are unsettling incidents and can cause much stress. Perhaps the most traumatic of car accidents are ones where there are fatalities. Whilst any fatality is tragic, what if the deceased driver was to blame and their actions have left you with injuries? Do you still have the right to pursue an accident claim?

Ethical question

It can often prove that those who are injured due to the actions of a person that died in a car accident find it hard to seek compensation. The family of the deceased already have a lot to deal with in coming to terms with their loss and adding to this by seeking compensation can seem harsh. Unfortunately for the victim, bringing an accident claim is the only way of dealing with the financial impact that not being able to work due to their injuries has had in their life.

Does the deceased’s family pay the compensation?

A compensation claim brought against a deceased driver works exactly the same as a normal crash compensation claim. If liability can be proven then it is the insurer of the driver who is to blame that will pay out the compensation. As a result the family of the deceased may suffer additional stress from any resulting investigation, but they will not face any financial impact.

What if the driver to blame was uninsured?

If the deceased driver turns out to have no insurance then there is another route that you can take, although it is less appealing. You have the option to seek compensation from the deceased’s estate; which really means that you are going to try and sue their family. It is difficult to advise in these kinds of cases; the family is trying to deal with the loss of a loved one, yet you are struggling financially through no fault of your own. Ultimately the victim must make their own decision whether to seek compensation in these kinds of cases.