ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT (RTA)
If you have suffered a road traffic accident caused by a third party within the last three years, then you are entitled to claim for personal injuries or losses as a result from that accident.
YOU MAY HAVE BEEN:
- the driver of a vehicle involved in a road traffic accident caused by another driver who is at fault
- a pedestrian struck by a vehicle when simply crossing a road
- a cyclist knocked off your bike by a driver of another vehicle
- a passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident
And don't be too concerned if the driver at fault is a family member or friend, as any legal claim will be directed at their respective insurance company.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS
If you are injured by a driver who fails to stop or cannot be traced after the accident, you may still be able to make a claim for compensation from the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB). You must report the accident to the Police and the MIB as soon as possible and see if the driver or the insurers can be traced. Our solicitors can advise you about this.
ACCIDENTS AT WORK
Almost half of all accidents occur in the workplace, but it can be difficult for employees to bring a claim for compensation if injuries have been suffered.
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Many are scared of the possible "repercussions" if they take the firm that they are working for to court. These fears are groundless as all employers are obliged by law to have Employer's Liability Insurance, which should cover them if an employee is injured in the workplace and action can be taken against employers who discriminate against employees simply because they are pursuing a legitimate compensation claim for accident injuries against the firm.
If you have had an accident at work it needs to be recorded in the firm's accident record book (required by law if the firm has more than 10 employees). If there is no record book, or no-one has made a note of the incident then you should notify your employer in writing of the full circumstances of the accident and the injuries you have suffered.
If you then want to claim for compensation, you will have to prove that your employer has caused the injury by his failure to take reasonable care to prevent injury to you - his employee (there are different standards required in respect of sub-contractors or visitors to premises). This means he must provide
- a safe way for you to carry out your work
- safe premises in which to work
- suitable materials and equipment, plus training and supervision in how to use them
- Competent staff around you.
TRIPPING & SLIPPING ACCIDENTS
If you have had a fall in a public place such as a supermarket, an office or in the street and this is caused for example by a defect or hole in the floor or ground, a wet floor or a protruding object you may have a claim against the person or group responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the area where it happened.
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