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Tag: accident

  • Motorbike Accidents

    Motorbike Accidents

    Motorcycling has a reputation for being dangerous, but it’s such an exhilarating and fun way to travel, motorcyclists are often very passionate about riding in spite of the dangers. Only 1% of road users are motorcyclists, but they account for 29% of all road user deaths. Because of this motorbike users are classed as a ‘vulnerable road users’, like pedal cyclists.
    Common motorbike injuries: 
     
    Because internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries might not create obvious symptoms immediately, it’s important that you get checked out by a doctor after any road traffic accident you may have, even if you feel fine.
    The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are: 
    (think.direct.gov.uk)
    Cornering
     
    • Make sure you are aware of the road ahead and are leaving yourself enough time to react to other vehicles. Drive at a speed that will allow you to bend safely round a corner.
    Overtaking
     
    • Only overtake if you are 100% sure it’s safe. Don’t overtake if you have to speed to do it.
    Speeding
     
    • Motorbiking is fun but do not break the speed limit. Many motorbike users enjoy driving on country roads, but these are the most dangerous roads. According to the RAC, 60% of all road traffic fatalities occur on country roads. While the countryside may seem like a safe place to speed, it’s not.
    Fatigue
     
    • Riding is strenuous mentally and physically. It also drains a lot of the bodies fluids. So it’s really important that you stay rested and hydrated. It’s possible to fall asleep on a motorcycle so if you feel yourself losing concentration or starting to fidget, take a break.
    It’s not the sole responsibility of motorbike riders to prevent accidents, other road users need to take motorbikers into account when they’re driving.
    Drivers should:
     
    • Take longer to look for motorbikes.
    • Keep their distance from motorbikes.
    • Check for bikes when changing lanes.
    • Check for bikes when turning.
    • Be aware of bikes trying to pass you.
    • Check for bikes when opening a car door, sometimes people on push bikes or motorbikes can end up swerving out of the way of a car door opening.
    If you have an accident when riding your motorbike you could be eligible for compensation, even if it was partially down to an error you made. Accidents can be complicated and the causes may not be immediately obvious. We can advise you about whether you’d be eligible to make a claim on a no win, no fee basis. This means that if you speak to us for some face to face advice and we decide that you don’t have a claim, you don’t need to pay us a thing. To speak to us call 0114 267 8780 or simply fill in our claims form and a qualified solicitor will get back to you.
    For more information about road traffic accidents, see our complete guide.
     
     
  • Accidents in Public

    Accidents in Public

    A public liability claim is a claim for an accident that’s happened on property that’s open to the public. This includes places that are owned or maintained by a local authority, but also private businesses that are open to the public such as museums, bars, gyms or restaurants. The people responsible for the upkeep of these premises have a duty of care to the people on their property. Usually, people who have buildings that are open to the public have public liability insurance, although it isn’t compulsory. This means that in the event someone had an accident on their property and wanted to make a claim, the public liability insurance would pay the compensation.

    Common Claims:

    There are many different examples of public liability claims but the most common cases are:

    • Disrepair – Faulty lights, lifts, electronics, uneven flooring. These can all cause serious accidents.
    • Slips or trips – If there has been a spill and nobody puts up hazard signs or cleans it up, then the property owner could be held responsible for the accident.
    • Falling objects – Proper health and safety guidelines should be adhered to to prevent a broken tool, fitting or incorrectly stacked object falling and hitting someone.

    Injuries Should Be Taken Seriously

    Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes an accident is no one else’s fault but our own. If we simply weren’t looking where we were going or were very drunk then this is unlikely to be a public liability issue. In order to make a claim we must be able to prove negligence. An accident can cause us just a few bruises and make us feel silly, but it can also cause more serious issues like spinal injury, head damage, or broken bones. The compensation from a public liability claim will usually be weighted on the severity of the injury.

    In the UK, slips and falls are the most common cause of injury related death in people over 75. (NHS) Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. (Mayo Clinic) If you have been in an accident which has left you injured and it wasn’t your fault, you should not blame yourself.

    Report Your Accident

    After you’ve had an accident it is good to report it to the council, or manager of the public property. Your report should be recorded and the person responsible should take action to prevent the accident from happening to anyone else.

    Recording the Accident

    If you have suffered an accident, you should record the exact time and place it happened. It’s also useful to have photographs of the scene of the accident and whatever caused it, such as a broken pavement. If there were any witnesses present, then it’s helpful to get their details. This will help strengthen your case if you decide to make a claim.

    Calling a Solicitor

    You can call us for friendly, confidential advice on 0114 267 8780 from 8am – 9pm. If you wish, we can send a solicitor for a home visit with you immediately. You may be able to make a claim up to 3 years after the accident took place. This time limit begins on your 18th birthday, so if the accident happened before you were 18, you can claim up until the age of 21.

    Successful Cases

    Trip in Debenhams: A lady in Sheffield contacted ASD after she had tripped over a disguised step at Debenhams on The Moor. She sustained a serious shoulder injury which resulted in surgery and will unfortunately leave her in permanent pain. With the help of one of our Solicitors Chris Chappell, Debenhams were forced to concede that they had not taken any measures to raise awareness of the hidden step even though it was their responsibility to do so. The claim was dealt with on a no win, no fee basis and the client was awarded £50,000 in compensation.

    Pavement grate injury: Mrs F sustained a serious foot fracture after she stepped into a defective inspection grate in the pavement. She was left housebound for months. Both Yorkshire Water and Sheffield City council denied responsibility and so proceedings had to be issued against them both. ASD would not relent and took both parties to court. It was only on the morning of the trial outside the court door that both parties gave way and gave Mrs F £10,000 each, resulting in £20,000 compensation for her.