Charlotte, Author at The Compensation Experts

If you’ve suffered an injury from a rear end collision, no doubt it will be a distressing time for you and your family. You may be unsure about what to do next, or you might have questions about whether you can make a claim for your injuries. If you’re involved in a road traffic accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights, so that you can seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.

Claiming compensation after a road traffic accident can help ensure you and your family are financially secure if you need to take time off work and can allow you to take the time you need to properly recover from your accident. Compensation can also help cover any losses you’ve experienced and can enable you to seek extra medical or rehabilitative treatment to further aid your recovery.

What is a rear-end collision?

A rear-end collision is a road traffic accident where a vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. Rear-end crashes might occur when the vehicle in front stops unexpectedly or when the driver or rider behind isn’t paying full attention to the road in front.

What typically causes rear-end collisions?

There are various factors that could contribute to a rear end crash. In some cases, there may be multiple factors at play. Here are some of the common reasons for rear-end collisions:

Tailgating. Tailgating, where the driver or rider is travelling too close to the vehicle in front can lead to a rear end collision.

According to Rule 126 of The Highway Code, drivers and riders should “leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops.”

Distraction/Inattention. Distraction might lead to a rear end collision, where the driver or rider isn’t paying enough attention to what is happening on the road.

Distractions might include loud music, passengers, eating and drinking, or adjusting a radio. Rule 144 of The Highway Code states that you must not drive without due care and attention and Rule 148 outlines some of the distractions you should avoid when driving or riding.

In addition, it is a criminal offence to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that sends or receives data while driving or riding a motorcycle. There are a small number of exceptions to this rule, for example, if you need to call the emergency services and you cannot safely stop.

Speeding. Speed can be a contributing factor in rear end collisions. If the vehicle behind is speeding, it can make it harder for them to stop in time. Where the vehicle behind is travelling at speed at the time of the impact, this can result in more serious collisions, often causing injuries to those in both vehicles.

While speed limits vary according to the road, The Highway Code makes it clear that you should ensure you adjust your speed according to conditions and what is going on around you (Rule 125). You should also ensure you keep a safe stopping distance.

Poor or hazardous conditions. Poor weather may play a role in rear end collisions. Fog, for example, can reduce visibility and wet, icy, and snowy conditions can make it harder for you to control your vehicle.

If driving in adverse conditions, it’s important to understand the effects this can have on your journey and adapt accordingly. The Highway Code (Rules 226 to 237) outlines the rules surrounding travelling in adverse weather conditions, including guidance on increased stopping distances.

Am I eligible to make a rear-end collision claim?

By law, all road users have a duty of care to others, and they should also understand and apply the rules laid out in The Highway Code. If you’ve suffered an injury from a rear end collision due to the negligence of another road user, you could be entitled to make a claim.

In rear-end collisions, it is often the vehicle behind that is liable for the crash, although every accident has its own unique set of circumstances and liability can be split between the parties. Even if you think you could be partly responsible for the accident, you may still be eligible to claim. In cases of split liability, your compensation will be adjusted accordingly.

We would always advise that you seek legal advice as soon as possible after a rear end collision. Our experts can quickly tell you if you have a valid claim and can provide an estimate of how much compensation you could receive. To speak to our friendly UK-based team, contact us online or call us on 0800 182 2187.

Typical injuries

Injuries from rear end collisions will vary depending on the circumstances and the severity of the impact. Below are some of the injuries most commonly associated with rear-end collisions:

Whiplash – Whiplash is a common rear end collision injury, due to the sudden movement caused by the impact. The NHS describe whiplash as a neck injury caused by sudden movement to the head. It is characterised by neck pain, stiffness in the neck, headaches, and pain and spasms in the shoulders and arms.

Concussion – Concussion is a temporary loss of mental function caused by a blow or an injury to the head. Symptoms of concussion can include a brief loss of consciousness, memory loss, visual disturbances, and confusion.

Spinal injuries – Spinal injuries are among the most traumatic injuries someone can experience. A spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in a loss of sensation and movement, as well as a loss of control of some bodily functions.

Evidence to support your claim

If your rear end collision injuries were a result of someone else’s negligence, your solicitor will help prove this. They will do this by gathering evidence, which might include:

CCTV of the accident happening or dashcam footage
Witness testimonials
Evidence of your injury, including medical records
Police reports
Photos of the accident scene
Any costs associated with medical treatment and travel

You can help build your case by providing as much evidence as possible to your solicitor, as the more evidence you can supply, the stronger your case will be. If possible, take photos of the scene, gather witness details, and keep records of your injuries, as well as any treatment (including costs) you receive.

Steps to Take After an Accident

You should take the following steps after a rear end collision:

After a rear-end crash, your initial steps should be to ensure the safety of you and others and to seek medical help where necessary.

Where an injury is involved, you should also report the accident to the police. If urgent medical assistance isn’t required, you can report the accident using 101. Otherwise, the emergency services should be contacted. The police report may form part of your claim for compensation.

Swap contact details with the other party or parties if there are injuries or damage. It is a legal requirement to do this. You’ll also need to swap insurance details with the driver of the other vehicle.

As discussed earlier, gather evidence if you’re able to and if it’s safe to do so, including witness details, photographs of the scene, and dashcam footage if available.

Seek legal advice. It’s important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible after your rear end collision.

Seeking legal advice

Seeking legal advice after a road traffic accident is important to ensure your rights are protected and to give you the best possible chance of a successful claim. We work with a network of some of the very best personal injury solicitors in the UK who have extensive experience in rear end collisions. We’ll put you in touch with a legal team who has the expertise and knowledge to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

While it might feel overwhelming right now, we make it as easy as possible to start your personal injury claim. Simply get in touch on 0800 182 2192 or contact us online and our friendly team of experts will guide you through the compensation process.

It’s worth noting that if you have a minor injury and your claim is valued under £5000, you may be able to make a personal injury claim without legal representation, using the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal.

Claiming for a rear-end collision with The Compensation Experts

In this article, we’ve looked at rear end collisions, including some of the common causes of these types of accidents and typical rear end collision injuries. We’ve also examined eligibility criteria for making a claim, explored the evidence that is needed, and shared what steps should be taken after a collision. For help navigating a rear-end collision claim, get in touch today. You can contact us by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 0800 182 2188.

No matter your place of work, there are a variety of workplace hazards that you should be aware of. In this article, we explore the different types of workplace hazard and explain how risks in the workplace should be managed to ensure the safety of employees.

What is a hazard in the workplace?

Some workplace hazards may be dangers that crop up in your workplace environment, while others might be injuries you could suffer as a result of poor work posture and habits. Workplace hazards can be categorised into different types. These can include:

Safety hazards
Physical hazards
Ergonomic hazards
Organisational hazards (harassment, bullying, and psychosocial hazards)
Chemical hazards
Biological hazards

Source: https://safetyculture.com/topics/workplace-hazards/

Workplace hazards can cause injury, ranging from minor injuries to serious harm, and in some cases, a workplace accident can be fatal. It’s important to be vigilant and be aware of common workplace hazards, as well as some of the ways of preventing them. However, it is the responsibility of your employer to mitigate workplace hazards where possible, and in many cases, workplace accidents can be avoided if the correct safety measures are put in place.

Safety hazards 

Even in an office environment, it’s really important to look out for potential hazards in the workplace that might cause injury. But in busy spaces, it’s even more important.

With warehouse work, for example, forklifts, equipment on the go, blocked entrances, and obstructed pathways all create various workplace safety hazards that can pose a risk to you.

Common injuries from safety hazards 

Injuries from safety hazards can take many forms depending on the circumstances of the accident. Injuries might include a fractured arm from a trip, slip or fall, a head injury from a falling object, or a crush injury from a piece of machinery.

Common causes 

Trips, slips, and falls are some of the most widely encompassing workplace hazards, with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reporting that in 2022/23, 32% of non-fatal workplace injuries reported under RIDDOR were due to slips, trips or falls. Another common safety hazard in the workplace is being struck by a moving object, and these types of accidents were responsible for 11% of non-fatal injuries for the same period.

Further statistics from HSE showed that falls from height are the most common cause of fatal accidents at work.

Health implications 

Slip, trip and fall injuries can have serious health implications. A knee injury for example, can leave you in a lot of pain and can cause mobility problems. Falls from height can cause significant injuries, such as spinal injury or brain injuries, sometimes with life-changing implications. As discussed earlier, falls from height are also responsible for most fatalities at work.

How to prevent safety hazards at work

Although slips and trips aren’t the only workplace accident caused by safety hazards, they are a common cause of injury and can often be prevented. The HSE give practical steps in preventing slip and trip accidents:

Stop floors becoming contaminated: Examples include using entrance matting, fixing leaks, and ensuring equipment is well-maintained.
Use the right cleaning methods: Advice includes considering whether the cleaning method is effective for the floor type, removing spillages quickly, and ensuring people don’t enter an area until the floor is dry.
Consider the flooring and work environment: This includes checking for damaged flooring, ensuring sufficient lighting, and keeping walkways clear.
Get the right footwear: Use slip-resistant footwear where floors cannot be kept clean and dry, trial footwear before use, and provide footwear free of charge if it is to be worn as PPE.
Think about people and organisational factors: Consider how the workplace is managed, to avoid rushing, overcrowding, and trailing cables. Also, ensure that staff are involved in decisions, e.g. regarding PPE or a change in cleaning methods.

Physical hazards

According to Safety Culture, physical hazards refer to environmental factors that can cause physical harm to someone, without necessarily touching the hazard itself.

Common causes 

Safety Culture go on to outline some of the types of physical hazards, which include:

Radiation
Prolonged exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays;
Temperature extremes
Constant loud noise

Source: https://safetyculture.com/topics/workplace-hazards/

Health implications of physical hazards

The health implications of physical hazards can vary depending on the cause, but in some cases, employees can suffer long-term health implications, for example in cases of industrial deafness. Industrial deafness can occur due to prolonged exposure to loud noise. This might be where someone is working with power tools and they haven’t been given adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), or maybe they weren’t informed of the risks associated with this kind of work.

There are laws in place to protect employees from physical hazards like these, so it’s important you seek legal advice if you believe your employer has been negligent.

Ergonomic hazards

Ergonomic hazards refer to strain put on the body and often relate to repetitive movement or positioning due to workplace tasks.

Common injuries from ergonomic hazards 

Ergonomic workplace injuries include:

Musculoskeletal disorders
Repetitive Strain Injury
Vibration white finger
Hand arm vibration syndrome

Common causes 

Musculoskeletal disorders can often be caused by manual handling accidents, where inadequate training has been given on how to lift correctly.

Repetitive strain injury, or RSI, is usually the result of a poor workstation which isn’t suited to the employee’s needs. RSI can also be caused by regular heavy lifting, or from repetitive movement, for example, if operating machinery on a production line.

Vibration white finger and hand arm vibration syndrome are both typically caused by continuous use of vibrating machinery.

How to prevent ergonomic hazards at work

While the risks associated with ergonomic hazards can’t always be eliminated completely, there are steps an employer can take to mitigate these workplace risks. This includes ensuring that risk assessments are properly carried out.

For those working with display screen equipment, the employer must carry out a DSE workstation assessment to help manage the risk of injury.

For organisations where staff are exposed to vibration, there are additional regulations which must be followed. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 highlight the steps an organisation must take to reduce the risk of working with vibration, such as eliminating unnecessary vibrating tasks, and other measures.

Harassment, bullying, and psychosocial hazards 

This is perhaps one of the most overlooked workplace hazards, but linking mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing is an important piece of assessing hazardous workplace conditions.

Nowadays, we’re far more aware of the effects of harassment, sexual misconduct, and bullying in the workplace. If an action can alter an employee’s mental wellbeing, that action needs to be addressed as a damaging hazard.

Common injuries from organisational hazards 

Harassment and bullying in the workplace can be extremely detrimental to the health of the person involved. Stress at work can lead to mental health conditions and can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches and nausea.

Common causes 

The advisory service, ACAS outline some examples of bullying in the workplace, which might include constantly criticising someone’s work, deliberately giving an employee a heavier workload than others, or putting someone down in meetings.

Harassment and sexual harassment are also forms of psychosocial hazard which can take place at work.

Health implications 

While the health implications of organisational or psychosocial hazards are not always physical, this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be taken seriously. The mental health implications of harassment or bullying can be devastating for those affected and can lead to long-term health conditions and stress related illness.

At The Compensation Experts, we work with personal injury solicitors experienced in successfully obtaining compensation for stress at work claims, and we can help you get justice.

How to prevent psychological workplace hazards

ACAS outline some of the steps organisations can take in preventing work-related stress. Employers should:

have a clear policy on mental health and stress
address the causes of stress through risk assessments and employee surveys
encourage people to raise their concerns – for example, if a person feels they are being discriminated against
provide training for managers – for example, on managing conflict, change and work-related stress
support their employees – for example, listening to concerns and acting on them quickly
promote a work-life balance – for example, encouraging employees to use their breaks and take holiday
provide employees with access to support – for example, an employee assistance programme (EAP) or training on stress management techniques

Source: https://www.acas.org.uk/managing-work-related-stress/preventing-work-related-stress

Chemical hazards 

Chemical hazards are defined as any “hazardous substance that can cause harm to your employees.”

Chemical hazards at work can be incredibly hard to spot in some scenarios. Too often, the risk of chemical hazards increases simply because they go for a long stretch of time without being used. Thus, an atmosphere of ignorance and underappreciation can set in.

Common injuries from chemical hazards 

Health problems caused by chemical hazards can include skin irritation, burns, dizziness, headaches, eye injuries, occupational asthma, pleural thickening, and mesothelioma.

Common causes 

Chemical burns are commonly found in industries such as farming, manufacturing, construction, cleaning, and beauty and might be the result of inadequate PPE, poor working procedures, or lack of training.

Mesothelioma is often caused by exposure to asbestos fibres.

Because handling chemicals brings with it a substantial risk, it’s crucial that strict safety protocols accompany the use of harmful substances.

Health implications 

While in some cases, workers can recover from chemical injuries, some injuries caused by chemical exposure can cause serious health conditions. Mesothelioma, for example, is an aggressive form of cancer. Unfortunately, mesothelioma often goes undetected for a long time and according to the NHS, there are around 2,500 deaths from the condition each year in the UK.

How to prevent chemical hazard accidents

The HSE explain that when it comes to using chemicals in the workplace, you should always try to prevent exposure at source by asking the following questions:

Can you avoid using a hazardous substance or use a safer process – preventing exposure, eg using water-based rather than solvent-based products, applying by brush rather than spraying?
Can you substitute it for something safer – eg swap an irritant cleaning product for something milder, or using a vacuum cleaner rather than a brush?
Can you use a safer form, eg can you use a solid rather than liquid to avoid splashes or a waxy solid instead of a dry powder to avoid dust?

(Source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics/whatdo.htm)

When exposure can’t be prevented, HSE advise that you should apply the principles of good control practice.

Employers will need to ensure that they meet their legal obligations in relation to controlling exposure to harmful substances, including the rules set out in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). Some substances, such as asbestos, lead and radioactive substances have their own set of regulations.

Biological hazards 

Biological hazards, as defined by Safety Culture, include exposure to things such as blood, mould, bacteria and viruses, insect bites, and animal droppings.

Common causes 

HSE explain that employees can come into contact with harmful micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, either due to intentional work while employed in a microbiological laboratory for example, or due to incidental exposure from your line of work, for example, while working in healthcare or agriculture.

An example of a biohazard in a healthcare setting might be a needlestick injury, which can lead to exposure to blood-borne viruses. If you’ve been injured due to a biohazard at work, our network of solicitors can help you make a claim for compensation.

Preventing biohazard accidents

As with any workplace hazard, your employer is responsible for protecting you from biohazards while at work. Employers have various responsibilities under law, which include carrying out risk assessments, listening to employee concerns, maintaining equipment, and providing adequate training.

HSE outline the specific legal responsibilities that employers have in relation to working with blood-borne viruses.

Legal and financial implications of workplace hazards 

The repercussions for employers who fail to comply with health and safety regulations can be extremely serious. The most obvious risk for those organisations that neglect workplace hazards is that it can lead to illness and injury for their workers and others.

There are also legal implications for those who fail to protect their employees, as well as financial and reputational implications to consider.

Employers have a legal duty to undertake regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate workplace hazards. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer should assess the risks to health and safety that employees and others are exposed to while they are at work.  

The HSE outline the minimum legal requirements when managing risks. An employer should:

identify what could cause injury or illness in your business (hazards) 
decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how seriously (the risk) 
take action to eliminate the hazard, or if this isn’t possible, control the risk

Resources and tools for hazard identification and reporting 

HSE explain how you can identify hazards to health in the workplace and how to record your findings. They also provide risk assessment templates and examples based on different types of business. Some organisations might choose to use software for their hazard management and reporting.

How The Compensation Experts can help if you’ve had a workplace injury 

If you’ve suffered an accident at work due to a hazard in the workplace, you may be eligible to make a claim. At The Compensation Experts we’re committed to helping those injured at work get the compensation they deserve; we have a network of some of the UK’s leading personal injury lawyers who can provide legal advice on a No Win No Fee basis.

Get in touch with the team at The Compensation Experts today to see what your claim might be worth.

Workplace accident claims we’ve handled

We helped a fuel delivery driver who suffered a soft tissue injury to his back after he lifted an 80-kilogram fuel hose on his own.

Compensation figure: £6,200

We supported a farm worker who slipped and fell into a divot at work, causing a partial tear in his left knee. It was found that his employer should have packed the ground regularly to keep it more even.

Compensation figure: £25,000

Our lawyers helped an employee who sustained a broken leg after falling down a staircase at work. It was found that the steps were slippery and had no thread on them.

Compensation figure: £10,000

About the Compensation Experts and Common Workplace Hazards

This post is part of our ongoing series covering the issues to understand a workplace injury or work-induced psychiatric illness. Our goal is to keep you informed on the latest issues and risks involved with workplace injury claims.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, whether that’s an accident at work, a road traffic accident, or an accident in a private or public place, what you do in the immediate aftermath can not only help protect your health but can also help protect your legal rights. Here we share what to do after an accident and the steps you can take to ensure that you are in the best position should you choose to make a claim for compensation.

Seeking immediate medical attention

Your main priority after any accident should be to ensure that you and others are out of immediate danger. Check for hazards and do what you can to ensure that you and those around you are safe.

Once the situation is safe, the NHS advise that you should assess the injured person and contact 999 if necessary. The NHS gives guidance on how to assess someone who is injured, as well as guidance on common first aid situations.

It’s important to seek medical attention after an accident, even for injuries that are seemingly minor. Some injuries aren’t always immediately obvious, and your medical records can be included as evidence if you decide to make a claim for compensation.

Reporting the incident properly

Keeping good records and having a paper trail of what happened is crucial to protect the rights of those involved. If a claim is brought, then these records can be used as evidence in a compensation claim.

If you’ve had an accident at work, then the incident should be recorded in the accident book as soon as possible. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explain that organisations with more than 10 employees must keep an accident book by law. Keeping a record of incidents or near-misses can help identify patterns and precent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Furthermore, certain accidents at work should be reported under RIDDOR – the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. Incidents that must be reported include deaths, serious injuries, incidents where someone is unable to work for seven days, occupational diseases, near misses, incidents involving gas, and injuries to non-workers. To find full details of reportable incidents, including which injuries must be reported, visit the HSE website.

For road traffic accidents, where an injury is involved, the incident will need to be reported to the police. If urgent medical assistance isn’t required, you can report the accident using 101. The police report may form part of your evidence for any compensation claim.

Record evidence

Collating evidence is crucial when making a claim for personal injury compensation. Keeping all correspondence relating to the accident can help corroborate your version of events and will provide good foundations for your case. If you can, you should gather evidence as soon as possible after an accident.

The type of information and records available will depend on the type of accident and the specific circumstances of your case, but we have listed below some examples of evidence commonly used in personal injury cases:

Names and contact details of anyone involved in the accident, including witnesses

The type and location of the accident

Details of injuries sustained due to the accident

Date and time of the accident

Details of immediate treatment received for your injuries, including names and wards of medical staff treating you. You may also need an independent medical assessment to help support your claim.

Dates and times of subsequent medical visits and treatment

Photographs of your injuries

Photographs of the scene of the accident

Diagrams explaining how the accident occurred (e.g. showing position and direction of travel in an RTA)

Police reports or reports from emergency services if applicable. Or a copy of the RIDDOR report from your employer.

A diary recording any appointments you had relating to your injury, as well as details of your physical and mental condition. Keep details of any support you need with day-to-day activities.

Receipts for any expenses incurred because of the accident, e.g. travel expenses if you are unable to drive due to your injuries.

Keep track of losses

As part of the evidence you provide, you should also ensure you keep records and receipts for any financial losses you’ve experienced as a result of the accident. These records will help your legal team put together an accurate picture of your losses, which will then be used, alongside other information, to negotiate your compensation settlement. Examples of losses and expenses you should record and keep receipts for include:

Medical costs if you’ve had to pay for any treatment yourself

Travel costs if you’ve been unable to drive or you’ve had to travel to medical appointments

Loss of income if you’ve been unable to work, or had to reduce your hours or change roles due to your injuries

Care costs

Details of damage to your belongings, e.g. vehicles, clothing or equipment

Speak to a personal injury solicitor

Knowing what to do after an accident can be overwhelming, but seeking legal advice is a crucial step. If you’re unsure on what to do after an accident that is not your fault, consulting with a specialist personal injury solicitor will help you to fully understand and protect your rights. Your solicitor will help you navigate the claims process and will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

For expert advice and to receive an indication of how much your claim could be worth, speak to The Compensation Experts today. We can put you in touch with a solicitor who specialises in claims like yours. Get in touch on 0800 182 2188 or request a callback now.

If you’ve suffered a foot injury, it can have a serious impact on your day-to-day life, causing pain and discomfort, as well as affecting your mobility. While some injuries might occur due to personal choices such as wearing unsuitable footwear or from participating in sport, some foot injuries can occur or become exacerbated due to the negligence of someone else. If your foot injury was caused by a road traffic accident, an accident at work or in a public place, or because of medical negligence, you could be eligible to make a foot injury claim.

A foot injury could occur at work where protective footwear is inadequate or hasn’t been provided at all. Therefore, it’s crucial that the correct safety protocols are followed by employers, to help prevent these types of accidents.

In this article, we explore some common foot injuries and their causes, as well as some ways that foot injury can be prevented. We’ll also share the eligibility criteria for making a foot injury claim and how you can recover the compensation you deserve if you’ve experienced a foot injury that wasn’t your fault.

Common foot injuries

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine share the most common injuries to the foot, which include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures in the foot, ankle sprains, bunions and Morton’s neuroma.

Foot injuries can arise from a range of circumstances, including negligence. Inadequate safety measures at work or poorly maintained public spaces for example, can lead to accidents causing some of these common foot injuries, such as sprains, strains, and fractures.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a foot condition, which the NHS say is characterised by pain on the bottom of the foot, around the heel and arch. Caused by straining your plantar fascia – the area of the foot connecting the heel bone and tones, the NHS explain that the reasons for plantar fasciitis occurring are not always clear, but that you’re more likely to develop the foot problem if you:

are 40 to 60 years of age
recently started exercising on hard surfaces
exercise with a tight calf or heel
overstretch the sole of your foot during exercise
recently started doing a lot more walking, running, or standing up
wear shoes with poor cushioning or support
are very overweight

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis refers to a condition where the tendon that connects the back of the leg to the heel becomes inflamed. According to Penn Medicine, symptoms include:

Heel pain and pain along the tendon when walking or running
Pain and stiffness in the area in the morning
Pain in the Achilles tendon when touched or moved
Swelling and warmth in the heel area or along the tendon
Difficulty standing up on one toe

Penn Medicine explain that Achilles tendonitis can occur in walkers, runners, or other athletes, and that the condition is most common in younger people due to overuse, while tendonitis from arthritis is more common in older people.

Stress fractures

A stress fracture is a small crack or break in the bone, typically caused by overuse. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust explain that the most common stress fractures seen in A&E are stress fractures in the foot. The main symptom of a stress fracture is pain, which will usually worsen when doing impact activities such as running or jumping.

Ankle sprains

The NHS explain the sprains and strains are common injuries, which affect the muscles or ligaments. A sprain refers to a torn or twisted ligament and usually occur in wrists, ankles, thumbs, and knees, while a strain is an overstretched or torn muscle and commonly affects the knees, feet, legs or back.

The NHS advise that sprains and strains cannot always be prevented but that failing to warm up prior to exercise, fatigued muscles and taking part in sport are common causes of these types of injuries.

Bunions

A bunion is a bony lump that develops on the side of the foot, by the big toe. If you have a bunion, you may experience pain on the side or bottom of your feet, which often worsens when wearing shoes and walking. The NHS explain that although the cause of bunions isn’t always clear, you might be more likely to develop a bunion if you wear ill-fitting shoes. To try and prevent the condition, it might be helpful to ensure that shoes have room for the toes and to avoid pointed-toe shoes or high heels.

Morton’s neuroma

As explained by the NHS, Morton’s Neuroma is a condition involving a thickening of the tissue in the foot that’s been damaged or irritated. Symptoms can include a shooting, stabbing, or burning pain, or you might feel like there is a lump under your foot. For some, the condition causes tingling or numbness in the affected foot. Often worsening over time, symptoms can be exacerbated by wearing tight or high-heeled shoes and you may feel worse when you move your foot.

In terms of causes of the condition, the NHS go on to explain that Morton’s Neuroma has been linked to wearing pointed, tight, or high-heeled shoes. It may also affect those who take part in sporting activities that put a lot of pressure on the feet, e.g. running. Having foot problems such as bunions, flat feet, high arches, or hammer toes has also been linked to Morton’s Neuroma.

The impact of negligence on foot injuries

As we’ve explored above, some common injuries to the foot can be caused by leisure activities and high impact sports, or from wearing certain footwear. In cases like this where there is no negligence, there is likely no claim to be made for a foot injury. However, where a foot injury has happened due to the negligence of another party, be that a public body, a medical professional, or an employer, you have a right to make a foot injury claim.

In the workplace, providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which might include protective footwear, is an obligation of the employer. According to HSE (Health and Safety Executive), guidance states that “Employers should, therefore, provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training in its usage to their employees wherever there is a risk to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled by other means.” If you’ve suffered a foot injury at work due to a lack of PPE, or because your employer has neglected their health and safety obligations, you could be eligible to make an accident at work claim.

In public spaces, foot injuries might occur due to trips on pavements or due to supermarket accidents. Whatever the circumstances of your foot injury, if you believe that your injury happened due to negligence, then it’s important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Preventing and treating foot injuries

Employers, businesses, and other public bodies should take their responsibilities around health and safety seriously to try and prevent negligence-related foot injuries from happening.

Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment to prevent injuries to employees and others. Among their responsibilities, they should provide adequate training, maintain equipment, and carry out risk assessments to mitigate hazards in the workplace.

In terms of public bodies, councils also have a responsibility to help prevent injury to the public. They should take reasonable steps to make council property safe. Areas that they are responsible for might include council buildings like schools and parks, council-owned homes, roads, pavements, and street lighting.

Compensation claims for negligence-related foot injuries

As discussed earlier, if your foot injury or condition is linked to a personal choice, such as wearing a certain type of footwear or playing sports, you are unlikely to qualify for a personal injury claim. However, if you believe the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible to make a foot injury claim.

If your injury was down to negligence, you will need to prove that the other party was liable or partially liable for your injury. We work with a network of personal injury solicitors who have expertise in accident at work claims, medical negligence cases, and claims against the council. We’ll match you with a solicitor who has suitable experience to help you prove your case.

Seeking legal advice as early as possible is crucial when making a foot injury claim. There are strict time limits when making a personal injury claim, so it’s important that you get in touch to ensure you don’t miss out on the compensation you’re entitled to. Our expert team will listen carefully to what happened to you and explain how we can help – we’ll also give an indication of how much compensation you could potentially receive.

Starting your foot injury claim is easy:

Step 1: Simply call our friendly agents on 0800 182 2188 or request a callback. We have a network of the best personal injury solicitors who have years of experience handling foot injury claims. They will work hard to get you the maximum compensation available.

Step 2: Once we’ve confirmed that we can proceed with your personal injury claim, our friendly UK customer care team will listen to and understand your situation before putting you in touch with an expert personal injury solicitor to progress your claim.   

Step 3: Your solicitor will gather evidence and will notify the negligent party that you wish to begin claim proceedings. With your solicitor negotiating on your behalf, you will either win the compensation you deserve, or you’ll pay nothing as per our No Win No Fee guarantee. *

*Conditions apply

Britain’s roads are getting safer for pedestrians but can still be very dangerous if precautions aren’t taken. Statistics from the Department of Transport show that, in 2018, there were 22,048 pedestrians injured in road traffic accidents. In 2022, the last full year for which there are figures, that number had fallen to 19,323, a drop of 12.3%.

The declining rate of pedestrian accidents overtime is positive news, however, there was an 8.7% increase in the number of pedestrian deaths in 2022.

In this article which covers the risks faced by pedestrians from motor vehicles, we’ll share with you:

The 10 most dangerous places to be a pedestrian in the UK
The growing number of pedestrian deaths caused by road accidents
The riskiest times and road types for pedestrians
Other interesting statistical findings from the Department for Transport

The 10 most dangerous places to be a pedestrian in the UK

Before we begin, let’s establish what we mean by a pedestrian accident.

It’s when a pedestrian is involved in a collision with one or more vehicles. Those vehicles could be cars, vans, motorbikes, bicycles, or lorries.

According to an analysis of the latest government statistics between 2018-2022, these are the 10 riskiest towns and cities for pedestrians:

Liverpool: There were 315 casualties in 2022 among Liverpool’s near half-million population. That means that, for every 100,000 residents, there were 65 casualties.
Blackpool: The seaside resort finishes in second place for 2022 with 186 casualties from its 140,000 population. In the five years to 2022, however, Blackpool has statistically been the town or city in Britain where pedestrian injuries are most likely to occur.
Nottingham: Nottingham has been getting safer later. The number of casualties each year in the past three years (101, 175, and 185) was lower than 2018 (190) and 2019 (198).
Bradford: In contrast, it’s getting riskier for Bradford’s pedestrians in Bradford. There were 301 casualties in 2022, a jump of 24% over the figure five years before.
Birmingham: In Britain’s second (or third, depending on who you talk to) city, the situation for the city’s 1.1m pedestrians has got better. In 2022, there were 599 pedestrian casualties, down from 650 in 2019.
Greater London: 4,556 of the capital’s 8.8m residents experienced a road traffic accident as a pedestrian in 2022. The good news though is that pedestrian road traffic injuries have fallen by 21% since 2018.
Calderdale: Over 210,000 live in this expansive West Yorkshire borough where there were 75 casualties in 2022. The bad news is that there were 46% more casualties in that year than in 2018.
Brighton and Hove: Traffic volumes are high in Brighton and Hove thanks to its popularity as a seaside town. For residents and tourists on foot, the town is getting safer. There were 137 casualties in 2022, down from 168 in 2018.
Kirklees: Kirkless is a large borough and it’s home to famous towns like Batley, Dewbury, and Huddersfield. Over 430,000 people live here and, in 2022, there were 208 pedestrian casualties. That number has unfortunately gone up a third since 2018.
Leeds: West Yorkshire’s fourth appearance on this list is for its biggest city, Leeds, where 800,000 live. Like other towns and cities in the county on our list, the number of casualties is rising here, up from 315 in 2018 to 365 in 2022.

The growing number of pedestrian deaths caused by road accidents

The pandemic saw a big drop in the number of pedestrian deaths. The Department of Transport statistics for the past five years are:

2018: 456
2019: 470
2020: 346
2021: 361
2022: 385

As traffic volumes have increased since the end of the pandemic lockdown, so has the number of pedestrian road injuries.

It’s hard to pinpoint why exactly but the Department for Transport’s accident statistics might give us a clue.

They reported that the most common contributory factor in accidents where a pedestrian is fatally or seriously injured is failure to look properly.

Peak times and places for pedestrian accidents

In the UK, the peak time for road traffic accidents that involve pedestrians is between 3pm and 6pm on weekdays. It’s slightly later on the weekends. This shows that, particularly in the darker months, pedestrians and drivers need to take more care to look out for each other.

A recent New York Times article reported on the fact that, following 25 years of decline, the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths began to rise from 2005. The newspaper speculates that many of these accidents were caused because of poor lighting conditions making it difficult for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to see each other.

The Department for Transport statistics suggest that could be true for Britain as well.

Urban roads, parked cars and pedestrians

88% of pedestrian deaths in road traffic accidents occur on urban roads. That’s relevant because many people park their cars on the side of the road and on the curb.

This reduces visibility, making it harder for pedestrians to judge the path and speed of oncoming traffic. It also makes it harder for drivers who often only see pedestrians at the very last second, particularly if the driver is going too fast. Speeding is, according to the DfT figures, the second biggest contributory factor to pedestrian involvement in road accidents.

More evidence to back this up is where accidents actually happen. Most of them occur 20 metres or more away from a junction where cars are more likely to be parked on the side of a road.

If there’s a battle for parking spaces on a street, many end up parking near junctions. The statistics show that 30% of accidents involving pedestrians happen at T, Y or staggered junctions where pedestrians may have to look for traffic coming from multiple directions.

Rural roads, motorways and pedestrians

Rural roads can be very dangerous for pedestrians because these country lanes often have no pavements. However, there are actually fewer pedestrian accidents on these types of road because traffic volumes are much lighter.

Department of Transport statistics also highlights that nearly all pedestrian RTA deaths happen on motorways. This is normally when someone has got out of a broken-down car and is waiting for help, a time when they’re particularly vulnerable to being hit by vehicles travelling at speed.

Pedestrian accident demographics

There were other interesting findings for pedestrians in the Department for Transport’s figures.

Between 2018 and 2022, there was a significant gender disparity in pedestrian casualties in Britain, with 58% being male and 42% female.

The disparity was more noticeable in certain age groups. There is also a spike in child road accidents and in the 30 to 39 age group. In both of these demographics, male casualties outnumber females by a factor of 1.8. The only age group where female casualties outnumber male casualties was the over 70s.

The type of accident that caused the greatest number of fatalities were collisions with one car. The highest proportion of fatalities to accidents came with a collision involving a single Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV). The second most proportionately fatal type of accident was a collision that involved a pedestrian and three or more vehicles.

Pedestrian safety tips

The Highway Code released its latest safety rules for pedestrians in 2022, which are designed to keep pedestrians safe on the road.

The rules stipulate that pedestrians must use pavements and footways where possible and to avoid being next to the kerb when facing the opposite direction of traffic.

The latest Highway Code rules also state that pedestrians must ensure they cross a road within a place visible to drivers. This means that it’s important to cross in a place which has no obstructions for drivers.

To help stay safe on the road as a pedestrian, follow these tips:

Use nearby crossings: Use zebra crossings, subways, traffic lighted sections, and footbridges where you can.
Stop: When you want to cross the road, stop and examine your surroundings. Look and listen for the sound of approaching vehicles first.
Parked cars: It’s harder to see cars and other vehicles approach you if you’re crossing the road between parked cars. Try to avoid this.
Don’t cross on bends or at junctions: It can be difficult to see or hear traffic as it may be coming from multiple directions at the same time.
Bright clothing: Consider wearing bright clothing during the day and switch to reflective coats at night.

How we can help with pedestrian road accidents

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident as a pedestrian and it wasn’t completely your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.

We’re The Compensation Experts. We work with a hand-selected panel of law firms that specialise in personal injury claims. Get in touch with us to tell us about the accident. We’ll then match you to a road traffic collision specialist with a proven track record and experience in this area of the law, who will work with you to secure the compensation you deserve.

Call us on 0800 128 2187 or use our contact form. Our service is free of charge and our partner legal firms often work on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Methodology

The Compensation Experts analysed the Department of Transport pedestrian fact sheet,

which was published on September 28th 2022. To determine the leading UK locations for pedestrian casualties, total pedestrian casualties between 2018-2022 were analysed in connection with the average population.

Data is for Great Britain and does not include Northern Ireland
Data is based on local authority responsible for the roads
Estimates are calculated by from figures which are as reported by police
Local authorities with populations under 25,000 were remove from the data
This includes Isles Of Scilly, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands
Injuries include injuries of all severities, including fatalities

Building site accidents happen frequently in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 53,000 construction workers suffered non-fatal injuries from 2020/21 to 2022/23. There were 45 fatalities in the 2022/23 period, up from the five-year average of 37. There were unfortunately three fatalities among members of the public on building sites too.

If you have experienced an accident on a building site as an employee or self-employed contractor, you may be entitled to compensation.

Your rights after a building site accident

If you experienced an injury on a building site that could have been prevented, you have certain legally-protected rights.

However, the compensation and legal rights you’re entitled to as part of a construction accident claim vary depending on your circumstances.

As an employee

It’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure they follow health and safety regulations on site. They should also comply with the HSE’s Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may have the right to claim compensation for your accident under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

If you need to take time off to recover, you might be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay or Universal Credit. Check your employment contract to see if you’re entitled to any additional pay or benefits during your absence.

On a zero-hour contract

Your employer is required to follow the same health and safety legislation to protect zero hour contract workers as they are with all other workers. As a result, you may be able to claim compensation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

You should check your contract to see if you qualify for Statutory Sick Pay. You may also be able to claim for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) until you can return to work.

As a self-employed contractor or subcontractor

It is important that you speak to a professional to understand your rights here, as there are nuances to consider in relation to liability. As a self-employed person, you hold some responsibility for your own health and safety at work. But dependant on the location and specific circumstances of your work, there may also be some liability remaining with other parties. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to claim for damages, recuperation, and loss of earnings.

As a self-employed person, you may also be able to make a claim for Universal Credit and ESA.

The process of claiming for a business site accident

There is a set procedure in the UK for filing a compensation claim relating to a building site accident.

After the accident

When the accident happened, even if your injury seemed minor, your employer should have sought out or encouraged you to seek medical attention. This could involve contacting the doctor, visiting your local A&E department, or treating minor injuries at the scene using the relevant accident protocol.

While this is important for your own health, it’s also important because your appointment with the doctor or visit to A&E is an official record of your injury.

Reporting your accident

Your company should have made an official log of the incident in their accident book or equivalent. This is further proof that the accident took place and it’s an important document for your construction accident compensation claim.

For serious accidents that result in fractures, amputations or hospital treatment in general, your employer must report the incident to the Health & Safety Executive.

This is so that they comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) legislation. That report should include details of the accident including how it took place and the nature of the injuries you and others sustained.

In some cases, the HSE may follow up a RIDDOR report with an investigation into where the accident happened. This could include a review of safety protocols when you were injured, interviews with you and other staff members, and a site inspection.

A RIDDOR report or investigation is also very valuable as evidence in your claim against your employer, especially if the HSE finds shortcomings on their part.

Gathering further evidence

Right after the accident, it is advisable to take photographs of the hazard you believe was responsible for your injury, or that shows a lack of attention to health and safety. You may not be able to obtain photos later on, so try to do this straight away while the circumstances are fresh.

Keep a record of any consultations, treatments, and diagnoses you’ve received from medical professionals. Also, keep a diary on how your injuries have affected your ability to work, your day-to-day life, and your sense of wellbeing. Both are powerful records that demonstrate the impact the injury has had on you.

If you haven’t already, get in touch now with a solicitor’s firm that specialises in construction accident claims.

Tell them about what happened and they’ll be able to give you a preliminary assessment on your chances of being awarded compensation. If they think you’ve got a case, they’ll start the claims process for you.

What happens after you’ve made a construction accident claim?

Your construction accident lawyer will handle the entire claims process for you, and will keep you informed along the way. Some typical milestones in a construction accident claim, according to the partner law firms we work alongside, are outlines below.

If your employer accepts liability

If your employer and their insurer accept liability, your solicitor then starts negotiating to agree a level of compensation.

They want to reach a fair settlement for you – an amount of money that reflects the nature and severity of your injury, how it’s impacted your work life and daily life, and any financial losses you’ve experienced as a result. If you have to stop work altogether, the settlement might also reflect your future loss of wages too.

Generally, the more severe your injury, or the greater its impact on your life, the more compensation you will receive. Your solicitor and your employer’s solicitor might use the Judicial College Guidelines, alongside their own lived experience of similar cases, to help value your claim.

If you can’t reach agreement with your employer

The vast majority of construction site accident claims are settled through negotiation. Sometimes though, negotiating liability becomes very complex, and in these cases your lawyer might advise you take the case to court. This is a very rare circumstance, and your legal team will guide you through the entire process, so it doesn’t need to be a daunting experience.

If you are successful in claiming for a building site claim

When the settlement has been agreed on, either through negotiations or the court, you then receive your compensation. It’s your solicitor’s job to make sure that payment arrives with you as quickly as possible.

Your financial compensation is intended to help you recover any lost earnings due to your injury, and also to support you moving forwards; whether this be through private healthcare, rehabilitation or even retraining for a role if you are no longer able to remain in the same field of work.

If you are not successful in your building site claim

If you’re not successful with your building site accident claim request, your solicitor will advise you of the reason why and let you know if they believe you have grounds to appeal.

Generally, your solicitor will only recommend an appeal if they believe the court was mistaken or new evidence comes to light. You may also have a limited timeframe to make an appeal, that your lawyer will discuss with you.

They may also suggest an alternative dispute resolution if there are areas of dispute between you and your employer that were not covered during the negotiations or the court case.

Just as if your claim had been successful, your rights as an employee are unaffected. UK law specifically forbids any unfavourable treatment against employees who have brought a compensation case against their employer.

Solicitors for building site accidents

If you want to start a construction accident claim, get in touch with The Compensation Experts. Speak with one of our advisors and tell them about the accident and the circumstances surrounding it.

Our team will then introduce you to one of our hand-picked solicitors’ firms within our network. You’ll work with experienced lawyers with a track record of success when representing clients seeking compensation for building site accidents.

Many of our partner firms work on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means that, if you don’t win your claim for compensation, the service costs you nothing. Typically, clients pay a fee of 25% (including VAT) of the compensation amount if their case is successful. This may vary depending on the team you are selected.

Start the process today. Please get in touch with us – we look forward to hearing from you.

Building Site Accident Claims – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a building site accident?

A building site accident is an unplanned event that causes injury or death to an employee, contractor, visitor, or other person on a site where a new building is being constructed or an existing one altered or renovated.

What are examples of building site accidents

Common building site accidents include:

Falls: Slips, trips, and falls caused by unstable working surfaces account for 26% of all construction site accidents. A further 19% of accidents are falls from height which are the leading cause of construction-related fatalities.
Electrical: Proximity to power lines, poorly maintained equipment, and exposure to contact with live wires presents a great risk of electric shock to workers.
Equipment and machinery: Without regular maintenance and proper training, equipment like power tools, fork lift trucks, bulldozers and cranes can be the cause of accidents.
On-site objects: 12% of building site accidents are caused by being struck by a falling or a moving object.

Riding a motorbike is an exciting and enjoyable hobby for many. It’s also really convenient in certain sectors – delivery riders can be more nimble and agile than other drivers, which means deliveries can be more efficient and timely. But motorcyclists are vulnerable road users, which means that riding a bike comes with its hazards too.

Over 18,000 motorcyclists were injured on the roads in the last full recorded year (2022), and 350 unfortunately lost their lives. For motorcyclists and car drivers, the risks they face are statistically similar to the dangers they faced throughout the 2010s.

In this article, we review the latest statistics on motorcycle accidents and compare them to car accidents and cycling accidents. We also share why wearing a helmet is as important as ever and tell you what to do if you’re involved in an accident.

Data on UK motorcycling accidents 2022

The motorcycle accident statistics for 2022 were posted by the UK government on 28th September 2023.

The statistics in this document are directly sourced from the government’s road traffic collision databases.

Motorcycle injury statistics

Let’s examine the databases released by the Department of Transport to reveal the level of risks on the road faced by motorcyclists, car drivers and pedal cyclists.

Motorcycle vs car accidents

Of the 16,943 motorcyclists involved in a road accident in 2022, 350 died. In comparison, there were 788 fatal road accidents involving car drivers and occupants out of 74,379 casualties.

According to those statistics, motorcyclists are four times more likely to die when they’re involved in a road collision.

Much of this can be explained by the unique challenges motorcyclists face. They’re far less visible to other road users. There’s also less physical protection for the riders, and motorbikes are more vulnerable to road surface hazards.

Speed is an important factor here.

7% of motorcyclist casualties reported in 2022 were involved in a collision where one or more vehicles exceeded the speed limit. In 4% of cases, one or more of the vehicles were going too fast for the road conditions at the time.

The statistics show that speed is 50% more likely to be a factor in an accident where a motorcyclist is killed or injured than for car drivers.

Motorcycling vs bicycle accidents

Compared with the 350 motorcyclist deaths on the road in 2022, the number of pedal cyclist deaths is a lot lower at 91.

You might believe this is because motorcyclists use the motorway network while pedal cyclists don’t. It might surprise you to discover that in 2022, motorways only accounted for 1% of motorcyclist casualties.

Most accidents for motorcyclists and pedal cyclists occur on built-up roads in towns and cities or non-built-up roads like those found in rural and semi-rural locations.

81% of motorcycle casualties happened in accidents on built-up roads, with 18% occurring on non-built-up roads.

The figures are different for pedal cyclists. They’re nearly four times more likely to be involved in a collision on a non-built-up road. Safety experts believe that more cycling accidents occur on non-built-up roads because of their higher speed limits, harsher road surfaces, and limited visibility, especially in country areas.

Main causes of motorcycle accidents

According to the government’s statistics about motorcycle accidents, where a contributory factor towards an accident involving a motorcycle was recorded, these were the top ten factors:

Rider error or reaction (5,347 casualties, 19.1% of the total recorded)
Behaviour or inexperience (2,543, 9.1%)
Rider failed to look properly (1,949, 7.0%)
Injudicious action (1,947, 6.9%)
Rider failed to judge other person’s path or speed (1,619, 5.8%)
Rider was careless, reckless, or in a hurry (1,540, 5.5%)
Road environment contributed (1,288, 4.6%)
Loss of control (1,272, 4.5%)
Poor turn or manoeuvre (1,057, 3.8%)
Exceeding speed limit (881, 3.1%)

Head injury statistics

The UK government does not record the types of injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. However, many studies demonstrate just how vulnerable motorcyclists are to head injuries in accidents and collisions.

Wearing helmets in the UK has been compulsory for decades, and most bikers welcome that. We can look to other countries for evidence to understand just how much protection helmets provide.

A study analysed 400 cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in motorbike riders at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan, from July 2017 to December 2020. All 400 patients were divided into two groups: those wearing a helmet at the time of their accident and those not wearing a helmet.

The researchers found that 51% of non-helmet wearers needed ICU treatment compared with 35% of helmet wearers. Non-helmet wearers stayed in the hospital for twice as long. The mortality rate among non-helmet wearers was more than three times higher.

Not wearing a helmet can make a difference to the amount of compensation you receive after an accident too. That’s because the failure to wear a helmet will be seen as contributory negligence on your part.

The causes of motorcycle accident statistics and how to avoid them

In 2022, 18,180 motorcyclists were involved in a collision, 16,943, which resulted in a casualty or fatality. The manoeuvre made by the motorcyclist or the vehicle’s driver that collided with a motorcyclist, which led to the accidents, was recorded in 15,195 cases.

In descending order, here are the manoeuvres responsible for these collisions:

Going ahead other (8,675 cases, 57.1% of manoeuvres)
Overtaking moving vehicle – offside (1,124, 7.4%)
Going ahead left-hand bend (719, 4.7%)
Slowing or stopping (716, 4.7%)
Going ahead right-hand bend (647, 4.3%)
Turning right (611, 4.0%)
Overtaking static vehicle – offside (522, 3.4%)
Waiting to go – held up (505, 3.3%)
Moving off (465, 3.1%)
Overtaking – nearside (363, 2.4%)
Turning left (349, 2.3%)
Waiting to turn right (115, 0.8%)
Changing lane to the left (98, 0.6%)
Parked (90, 0.6%)
Changing lane to the right (89, 0.6%)
Waiting to turn left (56, 0.4%)

U-turn (46, 0.3%)
Reversing (5, 0.0%)

Many of these accidents can be avoided with the following actions:

General riding and forward movement

Manoeuvres: Going ahead (other), going ahead left-hand bend, going ahead right-hand bend
Responsible for: 66.1% of all accidents
Experts’ Advice: Keep left unless you’re overtaking, and be careful at roundabouts. Keep your speed steady and appropriate for road conditions. Be vigilant of the road ahead and anticipate other road users’ actions. Slow down before bends. Ensure your headlight is working correctly so you can see and others can see you. Reduce speeds, particularly on country roads.

Overtaking

Manoeuvres: Overtaking moving vehicle – offside, overtaking static vehicle – offside, overtaking – nearside
Responsible for: 13.2% of all accidents
Experts’ Advice: Check mirrors and blind spots, make your signal and be sure there’s enough room to overtake so that other road users don’t have to change speed or direction. Be particularly careful on single-carriageway roads. Always overtake on the right and take extra care when filtering.

Stopping and slowing down

Manoeuvres: Slowing or stopping, waiting to go – held up
Responsible for: 8.0% of all accidents
Experts’ Advice: Use your mirrors before you slow down and signal to let others know what you’re doing. When the traffic in front of you slows down, maintain a safe distance between your bike and the vehicles ahead. Always stop at “Stop” signs and be extra cautious at “Give Way” signs.

Turning and changing lanes

Manoeuvres: Turning right, turning left, waiting to turn right, waiting to turn left, changing lanes to the right, changing lanes to the left
Responsible for: 12.2% of all accidents
Experts’ Advice: Signal where you’re going, checking your mirrors and blind spots. Only turn or change lanes when it’s safe. Paying particular attention to the right depends on when there may be oncoming traffic.

Starting and stopping

Manoeuvres: Moving off, parking
Responsible for: 3.7% of all accidents
Experts’ Advice: Before moving off, check your mirrors, signal to let other road users know you’re setting off and look over your shoulder to check your blind spot. Be extra cautious if you’re moving out from between parked cars for other vehicles, pedestrians and car doors opening. Make sure your bike is safe and visible when you find a parking place.

Special manoeuvres

Manoeuvres: U-turns, reversing
Responsible for: 0.3% of all accidents
Experts’ Advice: Only perform U-turns where allowed, signal your intention to other road users, and ensure you have a clear view of traffic. Be cautious when reversing, and don’t reverse onto a main road.

Key motorcycle accident statistics in the UK – FAQ

Who publishes UK motorcycle accident statistics?

Motorcycle and car accident statistics are published annually by the Department of Transport, a branch of the UK government.

Previous motorcycle vs car accident statistics

The number of accidents where a motorcyclist died went up in 2022. The figure was 350 people, compared to 285 in 2020 and 310 in 2021. This returned to the average figure seen each year in the 2010s.

This same trend was mirrored among car drivers and occupants. In 2020, the number of fatalities on the road in that group was 618, rising to 682 in 2021 and to this year’s 788.

Previous motorcycle vs bicycle accident statistics

Unlike motorbikes, where fatalities from road accidents climbed from 285 in 2020 to 350 in 2022, the number of pedal cyclists dying as a result of an accident has decreased. In 2020, the figure was 141. This reduced to 111 in 2021 and 91 in 2023.

What are the lesser-known statistics on motorcycle accidents?

Men are 12 times more likely to be injured or killed on a bike than women. The figure for 30-39 year olds is even higher at 18.

When a motorcyclist is involved in a collision with an HGV, there is a 9% fatality rate, according to figures from 2018 to 2022.

Data on UK motorcycling accidents 2023

The motorcycle road accident statistics for 2023 are expected in late September 2024.

The Department of Transport publishes that and many other research and report papers.

What to do immediately after a motorcycle accident

Being involved in a road accident is upsetting and distressing. Even though you’ll feel disorientated and stressed, try your best to follow these steps after your collision.

First, check yourself for injuries. Even if you feel OK, don’t remove your helmet, as this could make any head or neck injuries you’re unaware of even worse. If moving is too tricky, stay where you are and wait for help. Don’t try to retrieve your bike from the road, even if it looks undamaged.

If you can, check the condition of other people involved in the accident. Everyone should move to a safe location out of the way of any oncoming traffic. Ask others involved in the accident for their names, addresses and other insurance information. If there are any eyewitnesses to the accident, try to get their details too.

Call 999 and speak to the police. Request an ambulance for anyone who is injured. You’ll need the police report for insurance claims and legal purposes. You may also want to jot down notes about the accident while they’re fresh in your memory and take pictures of the accident scene and anything else that may have contributed to the accident.

Err on the side of caution and go to A&E. Sometimes, it takes a while for symptoms to appear following an accident. The head, neck, spinal column and other vital organs can sustain severe injuries during a crash, so please get yourself thoroughly checked out.

Keep the associated receipts and documents if you intend to make an insurance claim for any medical treatment expenses. You should also get a professional evaluation on how much repair your bike will cost, although this is more likely to be covered by your standard bike insurance policy.

You have up to three years to make a compensation claim for a personal injury following the event. However, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible if you intend to.

If you’re looking for a personal injury solicitor experienced with motorcycle accident compensation claims, please call or email us. Our team will review what happened to you and then pass your case to the best-suited of the hand-selected solicitor firms within our network. They’ll represent you on a no-win, no-fee basis. Contact us today so we can put you in touch with the solicitor that’s best for you.

Our British road network is hugely important for our economy. It supports our shipment system and allows commuting from A to B. But the roads can be a dangerous place for drivers, as our research below outlines.

In the last recorded full year, there were 788 car driver and passenger fatalities and 350 motorcyclist fatalities. There was a dip during the pandemic, but casualty and fatality figures are back to what they were in the 2010s. There is some good news, though – pedal cyclists are statistically the safest since 2013.

Many car drivers and passengers claim compensation when they’re involved in an accident. The same is true for vulnerable road users like motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. Recent figures vary, but DWP statistics suggest around 450,000 car accident claims in 2020.

How much you receive in compensation depends on several factors which we’ll focus on in this article, such as:

How car accident claims are evaluated
How liability for an accident is determined
What you need to do to ensure you get fair compensation for your accident.

Evaluating your car accident claim

The vast majority of compensation claims never get before a judge. When you choose to work with a specialist law firm, your solicitors will negotiate on your behalf, and aim to reach a satisfactory settlement during the negotiation stage. Additionally, there is also something called the “Pre-Action Protocol”.

Think of it like a rulebook governing how solicitors deal with each other to resolve disputes as quickly as possible. This is to help ensure the process is as fair and smooth as possible.

There are two specific Pre-Action Protocols governing road accident cases. We’ll look at them both in this article.

How do you estimate the value of your injuries and costs

When your solicitor contacts the other party’s insurer, they may have a compensation figure for your injury in mind.

They work this out using a combination of something called the Judicial College Guidelines, and their own lived experience of how cases such as yours have settled previously. The guide can be used to indicate standard compensation levels for different types of injury – but a specialist team will also understand the nuances of the law that might influence these figures. Generally, the more severe and injury, or the more it has impacted your life, the higher the compensation figure might be. For a neck injury like whiplash, the compensation is much lower in value than that of a serious injury – such as a complex orthopaedic or spinal injury.

Your solicitor may also consider loss of earnings within your settlement figure, particularly if you had to take time off work due to the accident. If your injury is severe enough, they could also consider medical treatments like physiotherapy, rehabilitation programs and even adaptation to your home or car.

Bigger claims over £10,000

We cover this later in the piece, but it’s important to tell you that a new, more streamlined system applies to claims of £10,000 or less. Please keep reading for more information

Suppose your claim is for more than £10,000 or you’re a vulnerable road user like a horse rider, a motorcyclist, a pedestrian or a pedal cyclist. In that case, your solicitor and the other party will start negotiating.

Between them, they’ll attempt to develop a joint figure based on the damages and injuries you’ve suffered together with liability.

Determining liability

When your solicitor and the other party’s solicitor are negotiating, they attempt to apportion blame. The level of blame attached to you directly affects the compensation you receive for a car accident injury claim.

This is how it works.

If the other party is at fault

If the other party was entirely at fault for the accident, you will receive the total amount of compensation that your solicitor has negotiated on your behalf.

If the car accident was your fault

If, on the other hand, you were entirely at fault for a traffic accident on the road, you would be unlikely to receive anything and the claim would not settle in your favour.

If there’s shared liability

In many cases where you and the other parties were both at fault, the liability is shared among you.

This can get complicated if there are multiple vehicles involved in an accident, or if the circumstances of the collision are particularly complex. Insurers call this “split liability”.

How liability for a car accident is decided

Let’s look at how split liability may be applied, using a fictional example.

Let’s say that, during rush hour, a motorcyclist is filtering through the busy streets of Newcastle. All of a sudden, they have to swerve suddenly to avoid a car that’s turning left into a side street. The motorcyclist crashes into a pedal cyclist using the designated cycling lane. The pedal cyclist suffers a broken leg.

After reviewing the evidence, the legal team may decide that all three parties have some partial liability (split liability) for the collision.

They might decide that:

The car driver is partially to blame because they didn’t signal.
The motorcyclist is partially to blame because they were moving through traffic too quickly, and without due care and attention.
The pedal cyclist was partially to blame because, although they were in the cycle lane, they weren’t wearing the proper visibility aids, making it harder for the motorcyclist to see and avoid them.

Although this is example is purely illustrative, it shows how liability might be assessed in a more complex circumstance. The amount of compensation awarded to each party also depends on the specifics of each accident, the extent of the injuries and damage, and the arguments presented by the solicitors and insurers.

Getting just compensation

You can help your solicitor achieve the best possible outcome by following these three simple steps.

What to do immediately after a car accident

Being involved in a road accident is frightening and unsettling. We appreciate that it can be difficult for you to focus in the first few moments after a crash.

Before you do anything else, make sure that you’re OK first. Keep your helmet on if you were knocked off your motorbike or pedal cycle. You might have an injury you’re unaware of, and taking your helmet off might worsen it.

Leave it there if there’s no oncoming traffic and your vehicle looks fine. Don’t pull your car over, and don’t try to retrieve your motorbike or bicycle.

If you feel OK, find out how other people involved in the accident are. If you can, take them to a safe spot away from further danger. Remember to swap contact and insurance details with the other people in the crash. If there were eyewitnesses, try to get their contact information too.

Call 999 to report the accident to the police and for an ambulance in case anyone is hurt. You’ll need the police report number for insurance purposes and if you intend to go for compensation later.

Even if you feel alright, it can take time before you feel the effects of an accident. It’s best to go to A&E as soon as possible to get checked out, especially your head, neck, and back. You may also want to ask the doctor or consultant for a copy of your notes as evidence of your injuries.

Negotiation advice

Although your solicitor will gather evidence of the crash and its impacts on you as part of their job, there are actions you can take to help give them the strongest hand when negotiating your compensation claim.

Take photos of the scene (only when safe to do so)

At the crash scene, if you can safely take pictures, you should. Be sure to capture any other vehicle or an obstacle in the road that may have contributed to the crash. This may be your only chance to get photographic evidence if CCTV cameras do not cover the accident area.

Hand over the contact details of the other people involved in the accident and the eyewitnesses so your solicitor can speak to them directly.

Obtain a record of your meetings with medical staff

Ask your doctor and the consultants you see to provide a letter detailing your meetings with them. Try also to keep a diary of your injury’s impacts on all aspects of your life. Your testimony and the testimony of medical professionals can be compelling evidence supporting your compensation claim.

Keep track of any spending related to your injury

Now, your finances. You might incur costs related to your injury, like rehabilitation courses or making adaptations to your home or vehicle. Keep receipts for everything, and if treatment is likely to be ongoing, ask your consultant how long it will last and how much it’s expected to cost.

Log any missed workdays or loss of earnings

If you have to take time off work, keep a record of your lost earnings. You can include pension contributions and any bonuses you would have reasonably expected to earn in this figure.

Time limit to submit a claim

You have a statutory limit of up to three years to submit a claim compensation for a road accident.

Your legal team may advise you have longer than this depending on the circumstances of your accident, but this is not guaranteed.

Car accident claims FAQ

Small claims under £10,000: the pre-action protocol

For road traffic accidents not involving vulnerable road users where the compensation is less than £10,000, a new version of the Pre-Action Protocol came into force in May 2021.

Solicitors and insurers are now encouraged to share information faster. This new process is cheaper and means that compensation gets to victims quicker.

The types of claims the new system is likely to be used for are whiplash, nose fractures, minor hand injuries, and so on, for which the Judicial College Guidelines recommend compensation of £10,000 or less.

Your solicitor will advise you if this is the best option for your claim.

If the other side is being unreasonable or uncooperative

Occasionally, the other party’s insurers may refuse to acknowledge their driver’s liability for an accident. They may also be uncooperative in providing the information your solicitor requests.

In these cases, your solicitor may advise you that court action is the most suitable option. This rarely happens, but if it does, your solicitor will let you know how the process works before seeking your permission to proceed.

Uninsured vehicles and untraceable vehicles (hit and runs)

It’s hard to believe, but according to the Department for Transport, there are nearly half a million unlicensed vehicles on British roads. That’s around 2% of all cars, motorbikes, vans, and lorries.

If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or a hit-and-run driver, your solicitor can still claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). In these situations, the MIB acts like an insurance company. It will investigate the claim and negotiate with your solicitor for a fair settlement.

Working with a specialised solicitor

If you do want to make a compensation claim, get in touch with a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible.

We work with a hand-selected network of solicitor firms at The Compensation Experts. For each firm, we partner with recognised experts in their area of the law.

Get in touch with us to tell us about your accident. Share what happened to you, and then they’ll recommend a firm to put you in touch with. They’ll introduce you to a named solicitor at the partner firm who will take your case forward from that point.

Our service is free of charge, and our network’s solicitors work on a no-win, no-fee basis. Contact us today so we can put you in touch with the solicitor that’s right for you.

Workplace accidents are often the most unexpected. When you’re in a familiar environment carrying out everyday tasks, getting injured will be the last thing on your mind. Yet, 561,000 people suffered a non-fatal injury at work between 2022 and 2023.

For 124,000 of these people, this incident meant they were absent from work for more than seven days. So, workplace accidents can significantly impact a household’s finances alongside personal pain and suffering.

If you’ve suffered an incident like this in the past three years, the right work accident solicitors will help you get a financial settlement to cover these costs. This article will explain exactly what these specialist lawyers do and how you can find the best one for your case.

What are accident at work solicitors?

Accident-at-work solicitors are legal professionals who specialise in work injury compensation cases. They represent employees who have suffered injuries while in the workplace or when performing the responsibilities of their job role.

Otherwise known as work injury lawyers, they have particular expertise in employment and workplace health and safety law. This makes them well-placed to advise injured individuals on whether an employer was negligent in their legal responsibilities and if they’re entitled to compensation.

Why do I need work injury solicitors specifically?

Having injury at work lawyers means you’ll have the legal support and expertise to navigate the compensation claim process successfully. These specialist solicitors have a thorough understanding of this area of the law. They’ll know your employer’s obligations, whether they breached them, and what compensation you’re entitled to.

By instructing a solicitor who’s experienced in cases similar to yours, you’re more likely to reach a fair and appropriate compensation agreement. It also means you don’t have to deal directly with your employer. This will help you maintain a professional relationship with them. Something fundamental if you plan on returning to work.

Hiring a work accident solicitor also means they’ll work on your compensation case for you. If your case is complex or doesn’t reach an acceptable financial settlement quickly, then the claims process can be difficult to navigate alone. It will involve building evidence of your employer’s negligence, dealing with their lawyers and negotiating the final settlement.

Rather than having the emotional strain of dealing with your claim alone, hiring a specialist solicitor means you can focus on recovering while they take care of the case on your behalf.

What your injury at work lawyer will do for you

To make a successful accident at work compensation claim, your case must prove you’ve suffered injuries due to your employer’s negligence. This could be due to:

An unsafe working environment with faulty machinery, a lack of team training or inadequate health and safety controls and procedures
An accident in the workplace, whether that’s a vehicle collision at a construction site or a trip in an office environment
An unsafe place or system of work, this can include hazardous traffic routes and walkways

A work accident solicitor is experienced in dealing with all of the above cases and knows what constitutes employer negligence under the law. As such, they’ll be able to advise you as to whether your claim is eligible or not and advice on how much compensation you’re entitled to.

Once this is established, these specialist lawyers can guide you through the claims process. This includes gathering evidence for your case, determining how much compensation you’re entitled to and representing you in meetings or court proceedings.

Gather evidence

To prove your case is worthy of compensation, evidence of your employer’s negligence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 must be gathered. The facts of your case will determine the exact nature of this evidence.

For example, proving that an angle grinder injury was due to lack of training will require different evidence to an accident caused by inadequate staffing.

However, it could include:

Proof of an event, including eyewitness statements, emergency services reports or CCTV footage
Documentation such as health and safety reports, risk assessments, employment contracts and training or maintenance logs
Testimony from a claimant’s loved ones, other employees or appropriate experts, such as specialist doctors
Medical evidence of the injuries an employee has suffered, including diagnosis reports, scans and long-term care or rehabilitation plans

A solicitor won’t just advise on the type of evidence you need to build a successful case but gather it on your behalf. This includes instructing experts, commissioning interviews and requesting confidential information. So you don’t need to spend time and effort chasing this evidence and can be confident in your case’s strength.

Calculate compensation

Again, the amount of compensation you’re entitled to will depend on the facts of your case. With experience building ‘schedules of damages’ for these cases, a work injury lawyer may recommend claiming for costs you didn’t think you were eligible for. They’ll bring this together in a single document for your final settlement negotiation.

The costs may include:

Damages for the pain and suffering you’ve had as a result of your injury
Past and future loss of earnings due to injury-related absence, including any pension contributions or benefits you’ve missed out on
Legal costs associated with building and settling your claim, including lawyer and expert fees
Financial cover for any long-term care or rehabilitation you need to undergo as part of your recovery
Expenses related to maintaining your quality of life, such as costs you’ve incurred while making appropriate adjustments to your home

By having a specialist work injury lawyer calculate and negotiate your compensation entitlement, you’ll ensure you get a final total that’s fair and appropriate for the suffering you’ve experienced.

Act on your behalf

An injury at work lawyer will be your representative during the claims process. This means you don’t have to deal with legal jargon, complicated paperwork or complex negotiations alone. It also means you’ve got an experienced expert in your corner to give you advice and help you reach the best possible settlement.

By choosing the right solicitor, you can get professional, friendly support that leaves you with complete financial compensation and a positive relationship with your employer.

How to choose the right injury at work solicitors

There are plenty of injury at work solicitors out there. On the face of it, there might not be much that separates one legal professional from another. However, to make sure you get the best possible representation in your case, choose a solicitor with the right:

Expertise, including a specialism in workplace accident law, full industry accreditations and qualifications
Experience in settling cases similar to yours, whether they’re construction-related accidents or work-related stress claims
Approach to your case, including acting professionally on your behalf and being transparent and understanding in their communications with you

If you’re struggling to find a solicitor who meets the above requirements, then the Compensation Experts can help. We only work with trustworthy specialist lawyers who will act on your behalf on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. We’ll put you in touch with the right experts for your case so you can focus on your recovery and get the compensation you deserve.

Potholes are a common problem on Britain’s roads. Not only can potholes cause vehicle damage, they can also lead to injury for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.  

Injuries sustained from potholes can range from minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises, to more serious cases involving soft tissue injuries, broken bones, head injuries and spinal cord injury. In some cases, pothole accidents can even be fatal.  

If you’ve suffered an injury due to a pothole, read on to find out how to claim for pothole damage. 

Who can make a pothole damage claim?  

While we often support cyclists and bikers with claims for pothole damage where they have been injured during a road traffic accident, pedestrians can also make pothole damage claims.

Cycle accident claims – Cyclists are particularly vulnerable when it comes to potholes, due to the fact they don’t have a vehicle body to protect them. If a cyclist hits a pothole, they can lose balance and fall from their bike or collide with other vehicles, leading to serious injury.

Motorbike accidents – Potholes can be extremely dangerous for bikers too. If a motorcyclist encounters a pothole, they might not be able to react in time, leading to them being thrown from their motorbike at high speed.

Trip, slip, and fall claims – Cutbacks mean that the condition of our roads and pavements is deteriorating, which often leads to trips and falls. If a pedestrian is injured due to tripping in a pothole, they may be able to claim compensation for pothole damage.

What the law says about potholes  

When making a claim for pothole damage, who you make the claim against will depend on where the pothole was situated.

According to the Highways Act 1980, it is the responsibility of either the highways authority or the local authority to maintain public roads and repair potholes or other road defects. Where the local authority is responsible, you may be able to make a compensation claim against the council.

When a pothole is on a private road, or on land managed by a business, under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 in England and Wales and the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 for Scotland, it is the occupier of the premises who has a responsibility to keep people safe.

If you’ve been involved in a pothole accident, you should report the pothole to the relevant authority.

What is required for a pothole claim? 

To make a claim for pothole damage, you need to be able to prove that you’ve been injured and that your injury was caused by a road defect, or pothole. Your solicitor will also need to prove that the accident was a result of the negligence of another person, or entity.

If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, to claim for pothole compensation, you need to have fallen in a pothole more than one inch deep or tripped over uneven paving which sticks up by at least an inch (2.5 centimetres).

To be eligible to claim, the injury should have taken place within the last three years. There are some exceptions to the three-year rule; for example, for those under 18, the three-year time restriction does not start until their 18th birthday. There are other exceptions – if you’re not sure if you or a loved one is eligible for compensation, it’s best to get in touch with us as soon as possible to discuss the specifics of your claim.

Whatever the circumstances of your accident, we work with carefully selected legal experts who specialise in claims for pothole damage. They are best qualified to help you access legal support, so that you can get the compensation you deserve.  

Types of injuries caused by potholes 

At The Compensation Experts, we work with personal injury solicitors who have extensive experience in handling pothole damage claims. Our experts are reputable, and the very best in their field. They have experience handling pothole claims that have resulted in:

What evidence do you need to submit your claim?  

To claim compensation for pothole damage, you’ll need to provide evidence to support your claim. Your solicitor will gather evidence on your behalf, but any evidence you can obtain yourself can help strengthen your case and impact the outcome of your claim for pothole damage.

Your solicitor will present your claim and the local authority will then conduct their own investigations. Pothole claims can be particularly tricky, as local authorities will often deny liability, arguing that they weren’t aware of the pothole or denying that it even exists.

As part of their defence, the local authority may include details of when the road was inspected. The local authority will provide evidence to prove whether or not they have fulfilled their statutory Section 58 Highways Act Obligations, sending reports on inspections and repairs that have taken place on that location. For this reason, good photographic evidence is crucial in claims for pothole damage.

It can help your claim for pothole damage if you can prove the exact location, position, depth and width of the pothole. Photographs should include landmarks where possible, showing clearly where the defect is. It’s also important to get clear measurements, illustrating the depth and width of the pothole, as well as location on the road. The size of the defect is very important when bringing a claim, so good photos will allow a solicitor to consider this.

You should try to take a photograph of the pothole as soon as you can, at the time of the accident if possible, as road defects can change over time and sometimes repairs can take place before you’ve started your claim. Witnesses may be able to help you gather evidence such as photographs, if your injuries are serious.

As well as photographic evidence, you should keep a note of what happened and when, including as much detail as possible, such as weather conditions and how busy the road was. Take details of witnesses and keep records of your injuries, as well as any damage to your vehicle or other property.

Medical evidence will form an important part of your pothole damage claim, so make sure you keep a record of symptoms and how your injuries progress over time. Also make a note of any treatment, care, or support you receive as a result of your accident. Your solicitor will request your medical records from your GP/hospital on your behalf.

Keep receipts for any expenses you incur as a result of the accident.

If you’re claiming for property damage to your bike, motorbike or other items such as clothing, provide the original purchase receipts if you can, along with photos of the items. You should also provide a quote for repair costs. If you don’t have receipts, then an estimate of the replacement cost on a like for like basis will help. If your bicycle or motorbike is written off, you should try and get a quote for the pre-accident value.

How to start your pothole damage claim  

Step 1: To start your claim for pothole damage, you should seek specialist legal advice as soon as possible. We have a network of the best pothole injury solicitors who can help you claim the compensation you’re entitled to.

If you sustained an injury from a pothole as a pedestrian, please visit here to start your claim.

If you sustained an injury from a pothole while on a motorbike, please visit here, or for a cycling pothole claim, visit here.

Alternatively, you can call our friendly agents on 0800 182 2189 or request a callback.

Step 2: Once we’ve confirmed that we can proceed with your claim, our compassionate UK customer care team will listen to and understand your situation before putting you in touch with an expert pothole injury solicitor to progress your claim for pothole damage.

Step 3: Your solicitor will gather evidence and will notify the negligent party that you wish to begin claim proceedings. With your solicitor negotiating on your behalf, you will either win the compensation you deserve, or you’ll pay nothing as per our No Win No Fee guarantee.

Amount of compensation for pothole damage  

When claiming compensation for pothole damage, the amount you receive will depend on a range of factors, including the severity of your injuries and any financial losses you’ve suffered. Your solicitor will help make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your losses.

The compensation award for your injuries is guided by the Judicial College Guidelines and case law. Below we’ve given the recommended compensation brackets as outlined in The Judicial College Guidelines. Please note that these figures are for guidance only and that they only cover the general damages (pain and suffering compensation) portion of your claim.

Head Injury

Where the person injured is in a permanently vegetative state or is unable to follow basic commands or produce any meaningful responses, the compensation award can be between £282,010 to £403,990.

If concentration and memory are affected, the ability to work is reduced, where there is a small risk of epilepsy, and any dependence on others is very limited. There may nonetheless be vestibular symptoms and an effect on senses – the compensation bracket is £43,060 to £90,720.

Soft tissue injuries/whiplash

If you make a full recovery between three months and a year, you can expect to receive between £2,450 to £4,350. If a full recovery is made within three months, we expect you to receive up to £2,450.

Fracture to the collarbone

The compensation figure for a fractured collarbone is between £5,150 to £12,240. The amount of compensation will depend on how serious the fracture is and any permanent residual injuries.

Scarring

For less significant scarring, you could receive compensation of between £3,950 to £13,740.

Scarring is subjective, so the value of the claim will depend on whether the scarring is permanent and where it is on the body. For example, permanent scarring to an area that is hard to conceal, such as the lower arms, face, and lower leg, can attract a higher award.

Despite the guidelines, based on case law, non-permanent scarring that can be easily concealed may only bring an award of a couple of hundred pounds.

If you have one single scar (not hyperpigmented or keloid) that can be hidden or camouflaged, and there is no significant cosmetic damage, you’re likely to receive compensation at the lowest end of the recommended amount below:

Trivial Scarring: £1,710 to £3,530

As with above, it is subjective, and final compensation figure can often be less than the recommendation.

Minor injuries

For injuries where you make a complete recovery within seven days, it’s likely you’ll receive a few hundred pounds; up to £690.

For those who recover within 28 days, the bracket is £690 to £1,370.

Where a full recovery is made within three months, you’re likely to receive compensation of between £1,370 to £2,450.

Psychological injuries

Less Severe: £1,540 to £5,860

This level of the award will consider the length of the period of disability and the extent to which daily activities and sleep were impacted.

Moderate: £5,860-£19,070

The Claimant will have largely recovered, and any continuing effects will not be grossly disabling.

If you’re diagnosed with PTSD and have made a full recovery within 1-2 years with only minor symptoms remaining, the guidance suggests compensation of £3,950-£8,180.

Because every claim for pothole damage is different, the amount of compensation awarded can also differ from case to case. To get an estimate for your pothole damage claim, visit our Compensation Calculator.

Pothole damage claims we’ve handled  

We helped a pregnant woman who tripped on a pothole while crossing the road on her lunch break. Luckily, her unborn baby was unharmed, but she suffered a broken bone in her foot, as well as grazes to her knees and elbows. Compensation figure: £3,637

We helped a courier secure compensation for pothole damage after he stepped into a large pothole while on a delivery. The man’s ankle twisted and he fell, suffering a soft tissue injury to his ankle. Compensation figure: £4,449

To start your pothole damage claim, speak to The Compensation Experts today on 0800 182 2192 or start your claim online.

Being involved in a collision as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, pedal cyclist, or while on an electric scooter or mobility scooter, is a very distressing experience. But if you are involved in a road collision, you might be entitled to compensation. Here’s how to find the right solicitor for you.

In 2022, there were 136,002 casualties on British roads – that’s 372 injuries every single day. While many of these injuries are minor, 28,101 of them were classified as “serious”.

Suppose you are involved in an accident or collision as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, scooter user or pedal cyclist. You should approach a specialist lawyer to see if you have a compensation case.

This article explains what road traffic accident solicitors do, the types of cases they work on and how to choose the best one to represent you.

The role of a road traffic accident solicitor

Road accident solicitors are legal professionals who handle road traffic collision compensation cases for their clients.

They represent drivers, passengers and pedestrians injured in road traffic accidents. They specialise in this area of law and are highly effective at securing compensation settlements for their clients.

They see the process from your initial enquiry to the day you receive your compensation. At every stage of your claim, they keep you informed on the progress of your case.

For some low value claims, you can submit your claim via the Official Injury Claim (OIC) service. The OIC service can be used to settle a personal injury claim without a solicitor, where the claim is related to a road traffic accident and is valued at £5,000 or less.

Road traffic accident solicitor specialisms

Road traffic accident solicitors represent drivers, motorcyclists, scooter users, pedal cyclists, passengers and pedestrians.

Below, find out more about the types of collisions and accidents road accident solicitors can help you claim compensation for.

Cars, vans and lorries

Cars, LGVs and HGVs account for the most accidents and fatalities on British roads.

Typical car accident injury claims in the UK include:

Hit and run incidents: This is when a driver causes an accident and doesn’t provide contact details or assistance to the other driver. If you don’t have the other driver’s details, if you meet their criteria, The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) will cover you, but you’ll need to gather evidence to support your claim, and it can be difficult to navigate these cases alone. We’d recommend working with a professional to make this process as smooth as possible for you. If you’re involved in a hit and run accident, you must report the accident to the police within 14 days, unless you have good reason not to have done so. You might not be able to make a claim without making a report.
Traffic signal violations: Accidents often result from drivers not obeying (or not paying attention to) red lights or stop signs. These incidents can result in serious injuries. Cases involving signal violations tend to involve disputes in liability.
Accidents in car parks: Many accidents happen with prangs and injuries caused by drivers not paying enough attention to their surroundings. These are generally minor incidents, but still very inconvenient with the potential to be costly. In car park claims, it is helpful to have photographic evidence of the damage to both vehicles.

Driving under the influence: Although thankfully on the decrease, there are still too many accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When behind the wheel, drivers have a duty of care to their passengers, and other road users, to be clear-headed. Not to mention, driving under the influence is against the law.
Pedestrian crossing incidents: Vehicles sometimes fail to stop at pedestrian crossings or for Lollipop persons. These incidents can be serious and result in vulnerable pedestrians being injured.

Van drivers face these issues as well as other challenges.

For example, they’re more prone to collision because they have more prominent blind spots, and driving them through narrow streets is difficult. Multi-drop drivers, like couriers, may also cause damage to other vehicles or injuries to others when loading and unloading goods.

Lorry (HGV) drivers have to contend with additional difficulties too.

Accidents that lead to lorry and HGV accident claims often happen because of issues like overtaking, tailgating, needing more time to stop and problems at intersections caused by their wide turning circles.

Also, lorries can be more prone to being involved in motorway accidents because they’re large and complex to steer. If you’re a lorry driver involved in a collision, you might be able to claim if the vehicle you controlled had a problem before the accident.

Motorbikes and bicycles

Motorbikes face unique risks on the road. In 2022, there were 16,943 incidents in 2022 which led to 350 fatalities. You may be able to apply for motorbike accident compensation claims for these types of incidents:

Filtering accidents: A collision with one or more other vehicles when riding alongside or between slow-moving or stationary traffic to make quicker progress.
Car U-turn collisions: This often happens when a car or larger vehicle performs a u-turn and collides with a filtering motorbike.
Junction accidents: Collisions often occur when vehicles join or leave fast roads, make right turns or navigate through intersections.
Bike/bus lane incidents: Although bikes are often prohibited from bus lanes, bus drivers still have a duty of care to watch out for you.
Dropping the bike: This is when a motorcyclist lays down their bike to prevent a more severe collision.
Pothole-related accidents: These are complicated cases requiring a specialist solicitor to prove that the local council knew the pothole existed and didn’t fix it within the statutory period allowed.
Road debris and spillage incidents: You can claim compensation, although you will need a specialist solicitor to help as these are complex cases.
Accidents involving animals and children: You need to demonstrate that you were travelling at a safe speed to be able to claim compensation for incidents involving animals or children.
“Dooring” accidents: This is a collision caused when a car or vehicle door is opened which you crash into.
Undertaking situations: Motorcyclists can legally undertake other road users if they signal and there is enough room but you’ll need to show you were driving safely.

Pedal cyclists face many of these same risks. Consider contacting a cycling accident compensation expert if you’re injured on your bike for one of the reasons above.

Pedal cyclists also face situations unique to them, including:

Close pass incidents: Pedal bikes are so light that a gust of wind can topple riders if a vehicle overtakes them too closely.
Bike lane transgressions: Cars, vans and buses often knock cyclists over by veering into designated cycle lanes.
Rear-end collisions: This occurs when you’re at a red light or roundabout and a car shunts into you from behind.

Bus collisions and accidents

While bus transport is generally safe, accidents and collisions do occur. In 2022, there were 2,134 road casualties involving bus and coach occupants.

Buses present specific risks on the road due to their size and unique operating conditions. You can claim compensation for a business accident or collision as a passenger, pedestrian or other road user.

Common bus accident claims include:

Pedestrian collisions: This can happen when a pedestrian is hit by a bus when crossing the street or at a bus stop if the driver fails to stop in time.
Passenger injuries: This might happen if you’re on a bus and get thrown around or fall over if another vehicle hits or backs into your bus. It also covers injuries from sudden bus movements when you’re getting on or off.
Driver injuries: If you’re a bus driver and injured during a collision or accident, you may be entitled to compensation if the accident was the fault of another vehicle or if there were mechanical issues with the bus.
Other road users: If a bus crashes into your car or van, causing injury and/or damage to your vehicle, you may be able to claim compensation.

Who will handle your case?

Your case will be handled by an experienced road traffic accident claim solicitor and their team.

There are three stages to the process:

Gathering evidence

First, your solicitor will want to establish that you’ve suffered a genuine injury.

Your GP or consultant’s medical notes about your accident will often be enough.

If there is a prospect of bringing a claim, an independent expert witness may be utilised. That’s because a specialist will be better able to understand and describe the extent of your injuries, and their impacts on your life moving forwards.

Establishing who’s to blame

Sometimes, the other party (the ‘defendant’) will fully admit liability. This dramatically simplifies and speeds the process up, meaning you’ll get your compensation faster.

Other times, though, the defendant will dispute liability. You’d benefit from the support of an experienced personal injury lawyer if this happens.

Your solicitor’s job is to defend your interests and maximise your compensation. To do this, they forensically examine all the available evidence about the accident.

They aim to create an accurate timeline by gathering evidence about the accident, like CCTV footage, witness accounts, police reports, photographs of the damage sustained to the vehicle, photographs of any injuries/ accident location, and statements from you and the defendant.

Your solicitor then sends this evidence to your defendant’s insurers. They then review the evidence and conduct their assessment. They may accept liability and offer a settlement or dispute the claim.

If liability is not admitted, your solicitor will negotiate robustly on your behalf to ensure the division of blame is fair and just.

Working out how much compensation you’ll receive

As well as building a timeline of events to present your case to the defendant’s insurer, your solicitor also assesses how much compensation to seek on your behalf.

To do this, they consider multiple factors, including:

Damages for pain, suffering and psychological impact: This can include compensation for emotional distress and trauma.
Loss of earnings and future earnings: This can include your pension contributions and other benefits missed because you’re absent from work. This may add up to a significant sum if you’ve been permanently disabled from your accident or you’ll need a long time to recover fully.
Damaged property: If you have the original receipts for the items and photographs of the damage sustained, this will help. Alternatively, if you do not have the original receipts, we will need estimates for their replacement cost on a like-for-like basis.
Treatment costs: If you have been recommended and received treatment privately.
Care-related costs: You may be able to claim for personal care and household help costs during your recovery. Your claim may also cover private healthcare, rehabilitation costs, and psychological treatments like therapy and counselling.
Travel-related costs: If your vehicle was involved in the accident, your claim may cover the costs of its replacement or repair. You may also be compensated for travel expenses if your injury prevents you from driving and you have to rely on taxis and other public transport.
Legal fees: This includes your solicitor’s costs and the costs of any expert witnesses they need to pay.
Disrupted plans: If you’ve booked and paid for a holiday or other form of entertainment you cannot attend because of your accident, you may be able to include those in your claim.

The solicitors we work with offer a “no win, no fee” arrangement. While you pay nothing if your solicitor loses the case, part of your compensation will cover your solicitor’s costs if you win. You’re notified in advance of what those fee arrangements will be.

Although your solicitor will request a specific amount of compensation, what you’re awarded may be reduced proportionately if you’re found to be partly at fault for the accident.

What type of road traffic injuries do our experts handle?

The types of road traffic accident injury claims handled by the specialist solicitors we work with include:

Back injuries: Minor back pain compensation awards vary from around £11,500 for minor pain up to £150,000 for major back injuries. For soft tissue injuries, the compensation amount may be considerably lower than this.
Head injuries: Head injury compensation starts from up to £11,000 for a mild head injury and up to £380,000 for severe head injuries (including serious brain damage).
Arm injuries: You could claim between £5,280 and £15,300 for a broken arm. Different levels of arm injury compensation are available for other injuries like soft tissue injuries, repetitive strain injuries and burns.
Foot injuries: You can claim for various foot injuries ranging from dislocations to sprains and strains.
Knee injuries: Knee injuries can attract compensation of between £10,960 and £76,690, depending on their seriousness.
Leg injuries: Claims for leg injuries range from £8,000-£13,000 for a broken leg to £225,000-£264,000 for a double amputation.

This is a small selection of the types of claims our experts can manage so please do get in touch.

The trusted lawyers we work with have supported pedestrians seeking compensation to manage the mental and physical effects of being involved in a road accident. They also represent clients in passenger accident compensation cases.

Successful road traffic accident claims

Recent successful road traffic accident claims managed by selected, expert solicitors include:

Filtering motorcyclist: While weaving his way through slow-moving traffic, our client was knocked off his bike and injured when a rear car door was opened. We rejected the defendant’s claim that our client was 50% responsible for the accident, an opinion that the Arbitrator upheld.
Closed cycle lane: Our client was forced to join the main carriageway when his regular cycle lane was closed. He collided with a pothole and was thrown over the handlebars, sustaining multiple injuries. The council admitted a breach of duty, and our client recovered thousands of pounds.
Hit by traffic: When going around a tight bend, our client’s motorcycle was hit by a vehicle closer to the white line than necessary. Despite the defendant’s solicitor initially entirely dismissing our client’s claim, this dismissal was overturned, leading to our client receiving £75,000.
Pillion passenger: Our client was riding pillion when the motorbike they were on collided with a vehicle emerging from a side road. This caused several severe injuries and led to a successful claim of £80,000.

How to choose the right road traffic accident compensation solicitor

You can choose from many road traffic accident solicitors in the UK.

When deciding who’s going to represent you, look for the following four qualities:

Expertise: The regulations covering personal injury and road traffic accidents are complex and nuanced, so select a solicitor who specialises in this area of the law.
Experience: Look for a proven track record and ask a potential solicitor to tell you about when they’ve succeeded for a client in a similar situation.

Excellent reviews: Find out what their other clients think about them. Online reviews can tell you more about their success rate and how much support they provide when your case is ongoing.
No-win, no-fee: With a no-win, no-fee solicitor, you only pay if you successfully get compensation.

If you want help, then contact The Compensation Experts. We only work with trusted, experienced specialist solicitors, who will represent you on a no-win, no-fee basis. Contact us today so we can put you in touch with the solicitor that’s best for you.

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