The weather is getting decidly colder and daylight hours are getting shorter – sure signs that winter is with us!

I was  driving along the M62 Motorway last week and in the short journey I was making I spotted no less than 4 minor road traffic accidents.  Fortunately none of them appeared to be too serious but it served as a reminder that the number of accidents on the roads increases during the winter months. Roads are often more slippery, visibility reduced and generally travelling conditions are much poorer.

We all need to much more aware when driving in the winter months.  Simple precautions like leaving more time for a journey so we don’t feel pressurised about arriving late, driving at sensible speeds for the road conditions and keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front all contribute to keeping us safe whilst on the roads.

Inevitably accidents will happen and then you will need good advice about what to do next.  The first thing to do is to check if any body has been injured and if so to call for an ambulance and the police. Then make sure you take the details of the other vehicles involved including the driver’s name and contact details and the make and registration number of the vehicles.  If possible also obtain the other driver’s insurance details.

The next step is to notify your car insurers about the accident. If your vehicle is comprehensively insured they will then arrange for your vehicle to be taken for repairs.  If you are not comprehensively insured then you will need to claim for your vehicle damage from the insurers of the vehicle responsible for the accident. You may need legal assistance with this,  particularly if there is likely to be any dispute on who was at fault for the accident.

You can also make a claim for compensation for any financial losses you have incurred because of the accident including any hire charges for a replacement car, loss of earnings if you are off work because you were injured in the accident, medication and treatment costs and any other expenses or losses directly due to the acccident.  You will almost certainly need expert legal advice in pursuing claims for these and it makes good sense to choose  with care a solicitor  to help you.

In choosing your solicitor make sure that he/she is an expert in the area of personal injury claim and so  can give you best advice.  Also check how your solictor will be paid for the work on your claim.  Most firms will offer a No Win No Fee agreement if your case has reasonable prospects of success – just check in advance that this is the case for you.

Happy winter motoring and looking forward to spring!

Lorraine