Personal Injury - Accident Types

Road traffic accidents account for a large proportion of all accidents and personal injury compensation claims in the UK and drivers of vehicles are required to have some level of insurance cover. These being: Fully Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft or Third Party only.

These policies provide protection for anyone (including members of the same family) who may be involved in an accident, who suffer personal injury as a result of the driver's negligence and may need to place a personal injury compensation claim whether or not the driver's negligence has led to a police prosecution. If it is discovered that a negligent driver had inadequate or no insurance at the time of the accident, you may still be able to bring a personal injury compensation claim for through the MIB (Motor Insurers Bureau).

Road Traffic Accidents - DRIVER A driver can make a personal injury compensation claims for loss and injuries if someone else was to blame for the accident. This is most often another driver although under some circumstances the accident may have been caused by the negligent actions of another party. For example if the roads were not gritted such that they remained icy and in a hazardous condition, a personal injury compensation claims may be filed against the party responsible for maintaining the roads.

If the accident involved a pedestrian or cyclist who were later shown to be at fault, a personal injury compensation claim could still made even though the offending party may not posses adequate or any insurance cover. However, in these circumstances we may advise that it is not worth bringing such personal injury compensation claim.

Road Traffic Accidents - PASSENGER A passenger involved in an accident in almost all circumstances can bring a successful personal injury compensation claims for damages where they have suffered injuries. Passengers are generally regarded as blameless casualties who have suffered as a result of someone else's negligence. However, failure to comply with the law relating to the wearing of seat belts may affect the level of damages obtained in any award.

Road Traffic Accidents - CYCLIST If a cyclist is involved in an accident where a third party is at fault, a personal injury compensation claims may be brought against the offending third party. In addition to obtaining compensation for your injuries, you may also be able to recover losses in respect of damage to your bicycle and clothing as well as loss of earnings by starting a personal injury compensation claim.

Road Traffic Accidents - PEDESTRIANS A pedestrian may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury compensation claim for their injuries if they can show that their injuries were caused entirely or to some degree by a third party. If as a pedestrian involved in an accident you are held partly to blame, you may still be entitled so some level of compensation. The Claims Master Group will be happy to advise you on any personal injury compensation claim.

Road Traffic Accidents - INVOLVING ANIMALS Regrettably, animals that stray onto the road can cause accidents. Owners of livestock such as cattle or horses are duty bound to the safety of road users by maintaining adequate levels of security in respect of their livestock. If it can be shown that the owner of an animal involved in an accident neglected their duty to maintain a safe environment for road users, a personal injury compensation claims for damages may be brought against them.

ACCIDENT IN THE WORKPLACE If you are involved in an accident at work, it will be necessary for you to show that your injuries were caused by the negligence of your employer before pursuing a personal injury compensation claim. Your employer is also responsible for the actions of work colleagues who cause accidents involving injury. Please remember that you have an obligation to make your employer aware of any accidents, which occur whilst at work. This information should be properly recorded in the Accident Book. Please note, your employer cannot terminate your employment if you make a personal injury compensation claims. If you are in any doubt or concerned over this, we recommend that you consult us immediately.

DISEASES AT WORK The working environment can affect people such that they suffer diseases as a result. Although these diseases may not be evident immediately symptoms may develop much later. Although in general terms a personal injury compensation claims has to be issued within three years from the date of the cause of injury or illness, this time limit may be lengthened if you were not aware of the cause of your symptoms until some time later.If you suspect that your symptoms are related to work place injury, please consult us as soon as possible.

MACHINERY AT WORK There are many factors that contribute to accidents involving machinery in the work place which can lead to a legitimate personal injury compensation claim. For example poorly maintained equipment, or badly trained staff can. However your accident occurred, please consult us and will be happy to advise you.

LIFTING AT WORK If you suffer any injury as a result of lifting whilst at work, it may be that this was caused by your employer's failure to provide adequate training or proper manual handling equipment. Your employer has an obligation to ensure that the work place is safe and free from hazards. Unfortunately many times this is in dispute, however if you decide to file a personal injury compensation claim then you should seek expert advice. SLIPS & FALLS AT WORK If you were not responsible for injuries suffered as a result of a slip or fall at work, it may be that your accident was caused by your employer's failure to comply with current safety standards in respect of hazards in the work place. If this is the case you can make a personal injury compensation claims Your employer has an obligation to ensure that the work place is safe and free from hazards.

PUBLIC PLACE Land and / or property owners have an obligation to ensure the safety of all visitors. In most cases insurance cover will be in place to ensure that an injured party will be able to make a personal injury compensation claim in the event of injury occurring.

SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS If your accident was caused by a defect on a path or pavement, for example an obstacle or pothole you may be able to bring a personal injury compensation claim against those responsible for maintaining the path or pavement. Although slips and falls can often be the cause of some of the most painful injuries, if you were to some degree responsible for causing your injuries, it is unlikely that you will be able to make a personal injury compensation claim.

SHOPS, STORES & RESTAURANTS Store owners and managers have an obligation to ensure that their premises are free from slipping hazards. If a floor is wet whether from a recent spillage or cleaning routine, signs must be erected to alert customers and visitors to the hazard. If you have suffered an accident due in your local supermarket or shopping centre then you may be entitle to make a personal injury compensation claim

PRODUCT LIABILITY - FAULTY GOODS These are cases arising out of a situation where products are defective and cause injury as a result of the defect. If you have been injured as a result of purchasing a standard consumer product which is defective, then you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim from the manufacturer/supplier as well as individuals/companies through whom the goods may have passed.

OTHER ACCIDENTS This category will include cases not listed above. For example sports injury cases, where an injury occurs 'on the field of play' due to the reckless actions of an opponent, or the failure of an official to apply the rules of the game in the way in which they should be applied. We will advise on any concerns or queries you have in regards to putting forward a personal injury compensation claim