Injured in a road traffic accident? Don’t accept an offer without seeking independent advice

Posted 09/06/2013

Road accidents cause untold damage to individuals and families, with nearly 30,000 people killed or seriously injured on roads every year in the UK.Statistics show that the average UK driver spends over three years in a vehicle, travelling an average of around 7,000 miles each year and making over 1,000 individual journeys. On average, females make more trips than males but males travel much further each year. Around 79% of males and 65% of females possessing a full driving licence.

Certain groups of road-users are at greater risk of accident than others. Motorcyclists and young drivers have more chance of being involved in or injured in an accident.Indeed, one in four accidents involve a young driver, despite drivers between the ages of 17 to 24 making up only one in eight licence holders. Young male drivers between 17 and 20 are in fact seven times more likely to be involved in an accident than the average male driver with “driver error” a contributory factor in almost 70% of all road traffic accidents.If you have been involved in a road accident and you are the injured party, it is important to discuss your options with a solicitor as early as possible. Even if you are offered a settlement by an insurer which may seem tempting, it is important not to settle your claim before you have had the chance to speak to a solicitor and seek independent advice.At Ashtons Legal the initial appointment is always free and without obligation.Tom Ranson of Ashtons Legal Injury Services says: “Ashtons Legal have been helping people in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire with their injury claims for over 30 years. We recognise that injuries can have a catastrophic affect on the lives of the victims and those around them. As injury specialists our aim is to give the support and advice needed to allow you to make an informed decision about whether to pursue a claim and the potential value of doing so.Unfortunately, many people accept a settlement from their insurers without taking independent advice and all too often these are much lower than the amount to which they could have been entitled. In short, seek advice – it is better to be safe than sorry.”