Did you know that the Driving Test is 80 years old this year?
That’s right, the dreaded test is now an octogenarian. The Road Traffic Act was passed in 1934; that legislation paved the way for compulsory driving tests in the UK a year later. In 1935 there were fewer than 1.5 million cars on the road, and statistics show that in that same year, 6,502 people died in road accidents, ( though a large proportion of those were pedestrians).
Eighty years on there are more than 30 million cars on the UK’s roads. The latest statistics show that just 1,713 people died on the roads in 2013. So, is that good news? Well, yes in a way it is, as there is a marked reduction in the number of deaths. However, the statistics are also alarming because road accidents remain the biggest killer of young people in the UK; higher than both alcohol and drugs. In the past five years, (2009-13) there were 1,037 people under 24 killed and 120,958 injured on UK roads as drivers and riders. In 2013 alone, there were 191 people under 24 killed and 20,003 injured as drivers and riders of cars and motorbikes. While the overall trend in road accident rates has been falling, these figures are unacceptable.
What’s more, the latest published statistics show that around 900,000 drivers under the age of 30 are currently driving without insurance, costing every car insurance policy holder as much as £30. Moreover, there are around 160 deaths caused each year in road accidents involving uninsured and untraced drivers and approximately a further 23,000 injuries. Uninsured drivers are more likely to be involved in hit-and-run incidents than insured drivers, often resulting with the insured driver making a car accident claim on their insurance affecting their no claims discount, even though the uninsured vehicle may have been to blame.
Accidents will happen: are you covered?
Whilst our roads may be getting safer, there are still too many accidents, and too many innocent victims who suffer unnecessarily. Road traffic accidents can, and often do, have serious and long-term consequences for the injured people and their families, which is why Harold Stock & Co has a team of specialist solicitors who can help you to make a road traffic accident compensation claim. We fight vigorously to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome for your road traffic accident claim. We’re renowned for our understanding of the issues affecting you and your family due to a road traffic collision, and we know what positive action to take to make a difference. Our lawyers offer the highest level of professionalism and expertise, combined with dedication and sensitivity. We believe it’s crucially important to put you, the innocent victim, first.
Handling personal injury claims following a Road Traffic Accident.
Harold Stock & Co Solicitors are proven experts at helping clients make a road accident claim for compensation. We have a team of specialist solicitors with both the knowledge and experience to ensure that we secure you the compensation that you deserve. Depending upon the extent of your injuries, you may well have other immediate concerns too – about your long-term wellbeing, your job, and your finances, for example. As part of your road accident claim, Harold Stock & Co can also help you recover compensation for any additional expenses or losses that you have incurred.
Harold Stock & Co will ensure that you have access to all the help and advice that you will need, not only to make a claim for compensation, but also to assist in arranging any medical support you may require to speed up your recovery. Our legal advisers will gather all of the necessary evidence to ensure that we give your claim the best possible chance of success. Our specialist lawyers have unparalleled experience in all aspects of road accident claims, including:
- Complex multi-vehicle crashes.
- Accidents involving pedestrians.
- Whiplash claims.
- Claims involving serious brain and spinal injuries.
- Uninsured driver claims.
- Accidents involving cyclists.
- Accidents involving children.
- Public transport claims.
- Claims by passengers.
- Hit-and-run cases.
- Motorbike claims.
- Fatal accidents.
If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury as a result of a road traffic accident, telephone us now for accurate claim advice. Harold Stock & Co Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you on whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have throughout the process.
For further help and information please call 01457 835597 or email info@haroldstock.com .
