New Spate Of Pedestrian Accident Compensation Claims23rd Jan 2014
Personal injury solicitors Coles Miller are urging drivers to slow down after a spate of pedestrian accident compensation claims.
Lawyers at the firm are dealing with increasing numbers of claims involving pedestrians who have been hit by cars or other vehicles.
January is always a busy month for the firm’s personal injury team because dark winter nights lead to more accidents.
Claims usually rise by up to 15 per cent at this time of year and this January has been busier than ever, reports Coles Miller.
Weeks of torrential rain and flooding have made the roads more dangerous - resulting in more accident claims.
Coles Miller Partner Adrian Cormack - a Legal 500 Recommended personal injury solicitor - said: “We are seeing a lot more cases involving pedestrians being knocked down by cars.
“Drivers are less able to stop when there is so much water on the roads. The sheer volume of rain has resulted in a lot of surface water and it cannot drain away fast enough.
“Also, pedestrians crossing the road with umbrellas and hoods up are less able to see oncoming vehicles.
“We urge all road users to exercise caution and be more vigilant in these difficult driving conditions,” added Mr Cormack who leads Coles Miller’s Personal Injury department.
Pedestrian accident claims being investigated by Coles Miller include:
- A young motorist who had got out of his vehicle after it broke down on the hard shoulder of the M3. A recovery truck crashed into the car which then hit the man: “He has had three operations. Part of his colon had to be removed,” said Mr Cormack.
- A middle-aged man was struck by a car when he was walking along a country road in Corfe Mullen in Dorset. The force of the impact was so great that it “burst” the man’s arm - resulting in a gash that was too large to close with stitches. The skin had to be glued together: “They thought it was a fracture at first,” said Mr Cormack.
Weeks of heavy rains have damaged road surfaces, creating more pot holes on Britain’s beleaguered highway network.
As winter continues, the pot holes problem is likely to worsen in icy weather.
Pot holes and icy roads are particularly dangerous for cyclists, warns Coles Miller.
Cyclists involved in road accidents are more likely to injured because they are less protected. They can be highly vulnerable to head and spinal injuries.
Coles Miller handles personal injury and clinical negligence cases from all over the country.
Its lawyers include members of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
Most personal injury cases are handled on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. They include uninsured loss recovery, workplace accidents and slips and falls.
Coles Miller is based in Dorset. The firm has five offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Broadstone and Wimborne.
For further details about claiming compensation for personal injury, please contact Coles Miller Solicitors Partner Adrian Cormack, 01202 673011.
This document is not intended to constitute and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice on any specific matter. No liability for the accuracy of the content of this document, or the consequences of relying on it, is assumed by the author. If you seek further information, please contact Managing Partner Neil Andrews at Coles Miller Solicitors LLP.
