Most people probably associate the word "accident" with a car crash or a motor accident. Most of us in our driving lives will have the misfortune to have at least one road traffic accident. Fortunately the majority of these accidents do not result in serious injury to the drivers and/or the passengers involved. But if you are injured in a road traffic accident - whether it is simple bruising and whiplash, or something more serious it is worth finding out if you can claim compensation for those injuries. There are three ways that you can get in touch with our specialist solicitors to see if you have a claim. You can call 0800 294 2504, or fill in a simple online form, or ask us to call you.

Basically a road traffic accident is treated in law in just the same way as any other type of accident. The injured party needs to establish that the accident is someone (or something) else's fault (or at least partly someone/something else's fault). 

By law all drivers must have at least third party insurance cover. This means that their insurers will pick up the bill if the driver causes an accident and injury to any other party (including any passengers, whether related to the driver or not). If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, or with a driver who doesn't stop after the accident, then your claim is likely to be covered by a special agreement covered by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (the MIB see www.mib.org.uk) an organisation set up specifically to cover such incidents. 

If you are involved in a road traffic accident try and follow these basic steps 

• if your are involved in an accident in which someone other than you has been injured or damage has been caused to another's property or animal, then you must stop and give your name and address (and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle if not you) and your registration number, and insurance details if you have them, to any other parties involved

• if such an accident occurs then you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours to the police, if you have not stopped and/or not been able to provide your name and address, car registration number and insurance details to the other parties

• make sure you have a note of the make colour and model of any other vehicles involved, together with their number plate

• note any damage to other vehicles involved

• make a note of the other drivers' names and addresses

• make a note of any witness names and addresses

• we advise that you call the police in all but the most straightforward of "prangs"

• do not make any admissions about liability

• try and draw a rough sketch plan of the accident scene and where the vehicles ended up (if possible go back later and take some proper measurements)

• as soon as you are able write down your version of what happened

• notify your insurers as soon as you can after the accident

• if you have suffered any injury at all get it checked out by a doctor

If your car is going to be off the road for any length of time then you may be entitled to hire a car - see our section on Hiring a Car.

If you think you may have a claim then call to speak direct with an expert (not a claims handler) on 0800 694 0190 or complete our simple online claim form and they will call you.

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Last updated 22/12/07
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