Rising Number Of Pedestrian Accident Claims19th Dec 2019
Personal injury solicitors at Coles Miller are handling increasing numbers of compensation claims involving pedestrians hit by cars.
The Dorset law firm is helping 18 pedestrians to get treatment for their injuries and gain justice. Many are elderly people whose injuries are more severe.
In one case Coles Miller is acting for the bereaved family of an elderly man who died after being knocked down while using a zebra crossing.
Coles Miller Managing Partner Adrian Cormack, head of the Personal Injury Department, said: “We’re seeing increasing numbers of road accidents involving pedestrians compared with last year.
“I have at least three cases of elderly clients who were knocked down while crossing the road.
“In one case an elderly client was knocked down in a supermarket car park by a motorist who drove off – it was caught on CCTV,” he added.
Coles Miller Personal Injury Executive Brian Parsons is currently working on five compensation claims on behalf of pedestrians hit by cars:
- three in which the car was reversing
- one in which the car entered a car park at high speed
- one in which the pedestrian was crossing the road.
Coles Miller always sees an increase in road accident compensation claims after the clocks go back.
The darker evenings and winter weather reduce visibility. And – to make matters worse – some drivers become more stressed, impatient and careless in the run-up to Christmas.
Coles Miller handles No Win No Fee personal injury claims from all over the country through its five offices in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Broadstone and Wimborne.
Many compensation claims are from Dorset and Hampshire accident victims.
Earlier this month a highways report revealed that Bournemouth was one of the worst places in the country for the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured in road accidents (2010-14):
- Bournemouth was ranked 21st out of 204 highway authorities
- there were 133 accidents involving either fatal or serious injuries.
Last year 19 pedestrians were killed or seriously in Bournemouth – representing 42 per cent of all road casualties in the town that year. Two of the accidents involved children.
And 2017 was even worse: 30 pedestrians were seriously injured or killed (along with 25 cyclists, 16 motorcyclists and 10 car occupants).
For more information, contact Coles Miller Managing Partner Adrian Cormack, Poole office (01202 355695).
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.
