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Category: Public Area

Children’s Cycling Accidents: Risk may Increase in Warmer Weather

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

Now that the weather is improving, it is natural that children and adults alike may want to get out cycling. However, with more people around comes the heightened risk of children’s cycling accidents. There are some incidents where there may be an accident involving children where it is just that, an accident. However, if your child has had an accident where someone is to blame, then you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf.

Common Causes of Children’s Cycling Accidents

Many children have cycling accidents due to a variety of reasons. Some of these include:

  • Hit and run accidents
  • Cycling accidents in public areas such as skateparks and parks
  • Accidents due to defects in playgrounds and pavements
  • Slippery road or pavement conditions
  • Collisions with other cyclists or pedestrians

If your child has had a cycling accident due to one of these reasons, then it may be someone else’s fault and you may be able to make a claim on their behalf.

Children's cycling accidents

Minimising Risks of Children’s Cycling Accidents

The nature of children means that they may have accidents that there is no one to blame for. There are certain ways that you can minimise your child’s risk of having an accident by taking certain precautions. Here are a few tips from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) on how you can maximise the enjoyment and minimise the risk:

  • Carry out a regular safety check (tyres at the correct pressure, brakes working and nothing loose like spokes, saddle or handlebars)
  • Wearing a cycle helmet will help provide protection to the head in the event of a collision or falling off (remember to replace if damaged)
  • Make sure your child is not wearing any loose clothing or shoelaces, which could become tangled in the chain or wheels
  • Parents should ride with children to their competence and ability. Get them to demonstrate that they can safely control their bike and deal with other traffic
  • For older children, if they are riding away from home plan the route with them; use cycle tracks and avoid busy roads and junctions if possible.

Claiming on Behalf of a Child

If a child is injured in an accident, then a parent or guardian may be able to make a claim on their behalf. The time limits are also different when making a claim on behalf of a child. Ordinarily a person would have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. This is different when claiming for a child.

In the case of a child’s accident, you have until they turn 18 to make a claim on their behalf. They then have three years from the date they turn 18 to make a claim. So, in theory, you may have a longer time in which to make a claim. however, it is always better to start a potential claim as soon as possible.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes children’s cycling accidents. Contact us by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Easter Accidents in Public

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

With the Easter weekend just around the corner, many people will be looking forward to being able to meet people outside again. However, with the long weekend comes a long weekend of walking, which can lead to a rise in Easter weekend accidents in public places such as parks, in children’s play areas and on pavements.

Easter accidents in public

There are a few accidents that can happen over the Easter weekend. Some of these accidents include: slips or trips on pavements whilst out walking, accidents on children’s playgrounds due to faulty or broken playground equipment, and road traffic accidents. And because we can now meet other people outside, accidents in public places may even increase.

Pavement accidents

The most common type of public accidents are slips, trips and falls. These accidents can happen on the pavement, on the road or on public footpaths in parks. They are usually caused by potholes or defects in the ground.

There are certain rules when claiming for tripping on a pothole or defect in a pavement or road. On a pavement, a pothole or defect must be at least an inch deep or raised. In the road, this must be at least 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches wide.

Playground accidents

With many children on their Easter break from school, going to a playground during Easter weekend may be common. If a child has an accident on a playground due to faulty or broken playground equipment, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf.

The Responsibility of Local Authorities

The Highways Act 1980 states that local authorities are responsible for keeping all roads and footpaths safe to use. Keeping all roads and pavements marble smooth at all times is both unnecessary and impractical. However a council has a legal duty to repair any damage that occurs to surfaces. They must do this by making repairs within six months of being notified of the risk. If a local council does not do this and someone has an accident, then they may be liable.

Road traffic accidents

If you have had a road traffic accident because of someone else’s carelessness on the road, then you may be able to claim compensation.

When you have a road traffic accident, your injuries can be severe. They can range from whiplash and soft tissue damage, to more serious injuries. In the worst cases, they can even be fatal. Even the smallest injuries can take a while to heal after a road traffic accident.

You may have to take time off work to recover, and therefore lose out financially. Your car may have also suffered some damage, and you may even have to replace it. If all of this happened in an accident that was not your fault, then it can be even worse.

How we can help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in public places and on the roads. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

What Are Public Liability Accidents?

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

Public liability accidents are accidents where a public entity is liable for the accident. This is commonly the council. The accidents usually happen on the street, on the roads and in public places such as parks. Accidents in shops and supermarkets do not fall under public liability, as they are privately owned. Therefore, they are occupier’s liability.

Public Liability Accidents

The most common type of public liability accidents are slips, trips and falls. These accidents can happen on the pavement, on the road or on public footpaths in parks. They are usually caused by potholes or defects in the ground.

There are certain rules when claiming for tripping on a pothole or defect in a pavement or road. On a pavement, a pothole or defect must be at least an inch deep or raised. In the road, this must be at least 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches wide.

The Responsibility of Local Authorities

The Highways Act 1980 states that local authorities are responsible for keeping all roads and footpaths safe to use. Keeping all roads and pavements marble smooth at all times is both unnecessary and impractical. However a council has a legal duty to repair any damage that occurs to surfaces. They must do this by making repairs within six months of being notified of the risk. If a local council does not do this and someone has an accident, then they may be liable.

If You Have Had A Public Liability Accident

When you have an accident due to a defect in the road or pavement, it is important that you take photos of the defect. This will help with your case, as it can be proof of the defect in a claim. If you have an accident and you have information about the defect, then it can be helpful to note this down too. Details include how long the defect has been there, how often the local council repair defects, and if other people have had accidents in the same place. If the accident was previously reported, how long it took the council to fix the defect, and if they actually did fix it.

It is important that you report the defect to the council so that they are aware of the defect. They also need to be aware so that they can fix any defects. However, if you wish to make a personal injury claim, you should not try and claim directly with the council. This is because if you have already tried to claim from the council and they deny liability, then it is unlikely that they will accept liability if you start a personal injury claim.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience in all manner of personal injury claims. This includes slips trips and falls in public places. Contact us today by filling in our contact form or by calling us on 0800 182 2185 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

What Are Occupier’s Liability Accidents?

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

Any private premises in the UK has an owner; someone who is responsible for keeping people who visit the premises safe. Private premises can be anything from shops to car parks. Occupier’s liability is the area of law that deals with this duty of care and occupier’s liability accidents. It concerns anyone who owns a property that the public can visit.

The Difference Between Occupier’s Liability and Public Liability

Occupier’s liability refers to anyone who owns a property that the public can visit. Due to this, they are sometimes wrongly referred to as public liability accidents. However, the difference is in the owner of the place where the accident happened. Public liability generally covers places that the council own and are responsible for. Occupier’s liability covers places that are privately owned.

Occupier’s Liability Accidents

The types of accidents that generally come under occupier’s liability accidents include accidents in shops, supermarkets, car parks, restaurants, and private residences. Owners of properties must take steps to help ensure that people do not have accidents on their premises.

There are many causes of accidents that fall under occupier’s liability. Some of these include:

  • Slipping on wet surfaces
  • Tripping over uneven floors or obstacles left in walkways
  • Being struck by a falling object, such as an item falling from a shelf
  • Accidents in car parks due to poor layouts or bad lighting
  • Malfunctioning lifts and automatic doors

These causes of accidents are easy to avoid. The owner of the premises should ensure that they put measures in place to avoid accidents like this from happening. They must ensure they follow rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If they fail to do this then they may be liable if someone has an accident on their premises.

Children and Occupier’s Liability Accidents

Some of the more common occupier’s liability accidents involve children. If children are visiting a place that falls under occupier’s liability, then the owner must take extra care to minimise the risk of children having accidents. This is because children tend to be less careful than adults whilst out in public.

If your child has had an accident is a public or private place, then you may be able to claim on their behalf. If your child is under 18, then a parent or guardian may make a claim for them. Their parent or guardian also has until the child turns 18 to make a claim. If the child is over 18 then they have until they are 21 to make a claim themselves.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who deal with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in private places. This means that they have the expertise to help you with your potential claim. Contact us today by filling in our contact form or by calling us on 0800 182 2185 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Cyclists Rights on Roads

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

Cycling is a travel option that divides a lot of people. On the one hand, it is better for the environment and our health, but on the other hand some people argue that cyclists do not follow the rules of the road, and have a disregard of their and others rights. You may think that cyclists rights on the roads are different than vehicles because they do not have to pay the same road tax. That is not true, cyclists rights on the roads are essentially the same as vehicles rights on the roads.

Cyclists Rights on Roads

Cyclists have the same rights on the roads as other road users, but they also have other rules. For example, at a junction, cyclists are usually permitted to go ahead of vehicles to stop at traffic lights.

Cyclists can use the full width of the lane as much as anyone else. They are also allowed to ride two abreast. Cyclists do not have to use the designated cycle lane on the roads. However, cyclists are encouraged to ride single file where possible to avoid collisions.

Bicycles do not have to have a bell fitted by law. The law states that calling out to give a warning is sufficient. The only equipment that a bicycle must legally have are reflectors and working brakes, plus front and rear lights if the cyclist intends to bike at night. However, the Highway Code does advise consideration of pedestrians in this, and whilst calling out may be acceptable, a bell may be more socially considerate.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting, when cyclists undertake and overtake cars and change lanes in order to move through traffic faster, is perfectly legal.

The Highway Code states that road users should be aware of others when travelling. It also mentions cyclists should avoid filtering in and out of traffic if it could cause conflict with another person. An example of this is when approaching a junction. Overtaking is the safest way to do this, as it is generally less dangerous than undertaking.

Speed Limits

Unlike vehicles, there is no speed limit for cyclists on the roads. However, some local authorities do impose speed limits for cyclists. They must also follow a speed limit in the Royal parks.

Although speeding is not an offence in itself, cyclists who cycle dangerously are committing an offence under section 28 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means that they can face fines of up to £2500. Careless cycling is also an offence under section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is when a cyclist uses the road without due care and attention for other road users. A cyclist doing this may face a fine of up to £1000.

The Most Common Causes of Cycling Accidents

Accidents involving cyclists can happen for all sorts of reasons. However, in our experience, the most common causes of cycling accident claims include:

  • Hit and run road traffic accidents.
  • Collision with a car, vehicle or even another cyclist or a pedestrian.
  • Vehicle doors opening into the path of an oncoming cyclist.
  • Potholes, worn tarmac, raised manhole covers and other defects in the road.
  • Any slippery road conditions due to oil spills, ice and snow.

Many cyclists don’t realise that if an accident was someone else’s fault, a cyclist can claim compensation.

Who Is at Fault for Cycling Accidents?

There are instances in cycling accidents where the cyclist may be at fault, and there are instances where it may be someone else’s fault. instances where a cyclist may be at fault include not wearing high visibility clothing, not having lights on their bike, cycling whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or cycling carelessly. If a cyclist has not followed the rules set out in The Highway Code, then they may also be at fault.

Cyclists Rights on Roads: How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience in all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents on the road involving cyclists. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 0800 182 2187 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Public Accidents Whilst Dog Walking

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

All dog owners know that there is nothing better than taking your dog for a walk. When you are doing this, it is not always easy to notice if there is anything wrong with the area you are walking in. This is particularly true on pavements. However, public accidents whilst dog walking can be common. If you have an accident on the pavement due to a defect in the pavement, or if you have had an accident in a park whilst out walking your dog, then it may be someone else’s fault.

Accidents on Pavements

If you trip on a pavement whilst walking your dog, then the local council may be responsible. If there is a pothole in the pavement, or paving stones that are damaged, then the council may be to blame for your accident.

Your local authority has the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to make council property safe. These features include council buildings like schools and parks, council-owned homes, roads, pavements, and street lighting. So if you have fallen whilst walking your dog, and it is due to a defective pavement, for example, then we maybe able to help.

The council must also make sure they are carrying out regular maintenance and safety checks on roads and pavements to ensure people do not have accidents.

There is a rule with pavement trips, and that is that the defect must be an inch or bigger. That includes potholes that are an inch deep, broken paving stones or curbs that are raised by an inch.

Accidents in Parks

Much like accidents on pavements, the council is also responsible for ensuring parks are safe and free from accidents. However, if you have had an accident in a park, it may be harder to hold the council to account. If you have had an accident on a public footpath in a park because of a defect, you may be able to make a claim. but that is not to say that if you had an accident elsewhere in a park then it is not the fault of the council. The best way to find out is by contacting The Compensation Experts. We may still be able to help depending on the circumstances of your accident.

What to do when you have had an accident

It is important to take pictures of what you have fallen on, so that there is proof of the defect for your claim. It is also important to report your accident to the council, so that they are aware of the defect. Sometimes it can also be helpful to know how long the defect has been there, and if there have ever been any accidents there before because of the defect.

These accidents can also cause injuries that can take a while to heal, meaning you may not be able to walk your dog or partake in other hobbies for a while. It is important to note this down, as it may affect your potential compensation amount.

How we can help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience in dealing with personal injury claims. This includes public accidents whilst dog walking. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 0800 182 2187 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Reporting Your Accident

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

No matter the type of accident you have, reporting your accident is important. It is important for a number of reasons, including for proof of your accident happening. Other reasons include: so the other party knows the accident happened, loss of earnings due to taking time off work, medical reasons, and to ensure it does not happen again.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) more than 14,000 people die as a result of accidents every year, with thousands more having injuries.

Reporting Your Accident at Work

If you have an accident at work, it is important to report the accident to your employer. In workplaces where there is an accident book, you must make sure you log the accident in there. If not, you must report the accident verbally to a manager or supervisor.

When reporting your accident at work, it is important to note down the date and time of the accident, the cause of the accident, whether there were any witnesses, the treatment you had, and the amount of time you had to take off work.

Reporting Your Accident in a Public Place

Having an accident in a public place may mean that there are a few people that you need to think about when reporting your accident. If you fell in a shop, you need to report your accident to the shop owner or manager. Most shops will also have an accident book or form, so it is important to fill that in too.

If you have an accident on the street, for example, a trip on the pavement, then you will need to report your accident to the council. However, if the council have sent you a claims form, it is important that you do not fill that in and send back if you would like to make a personal injury claim. Nevertheless, the council does need to know about any defects in pavements or roads, so it is still important to report your accident.

Reporting Your Accident on the Road

If you have an accident on the road, for example, a road traffic accident, there are a couple of people you may need to think about reporting your accident to. You must report the accident to your insurance, and take the details of the other person involved in the accident. This is usually their name, registration number and insurance details.

You may also need to report your accident to the police. This is almost always the case in road traffic accidents, as the police are usually called to the scene. If they are not, it is still important to report your accident to them.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience in dealing with all types of personal injury claims. This includes accidents at work, accidents in public places, and accidents on the road. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

We are now in Winter, and we all know that Winter and cold weather go hand in hand. Cold weather and public accidents unfortunately can also go hand in hand.  In the cold weather, there may be an increase in accidents in public places. This includes trips and slips on pavements. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), slips, trips and falls are the most common accident in everyday life.

There may be more risks on pavements in the cold weather too. The temperatures may affect paving and potholes. This can lead to more trips and falls, and it is something that we deal with on a daily basis here at The Compensation Experts.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents: Potholes

As the temperatures go down, the rate of potholes may increase on pavements and roads. Add that to the cold surfaces making injuries worse, and you could potentially be hurt for longer than usual.

The Winter may also make the quality of the pavements worse due to ice and frost on the ground. Whilst local councils can not do anything about the weather, they must still ensure that the weather does not affect their maintenance of roads and pavements.

There are certain sizes that potholes must be in order to make a claim. On the pavement the pothole must be at least an inch deep. On roads, potholes must be at least 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches (a foot) wide. It is always best to take pictures if you have fallen due to a pothole, as it can help your claim.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents: Pavements

The cold weather may also cause pavements to crack more. This can increase the risk of people tripping on the pavements. Pavements with defects can be dangerous, as they can cause injuries that last a while, such as fractures and breaks. These injuries can take a long time to recover from and may even require surgery. If it was an accident due to the fault of the council, then you may be able to make a claim.

The council must ensure that they maintain a regular upkeep of their pavements to avoid accidents like this happening. This is especially important in Winter as the cold weather can mean that the injuries people have can be worse.

Similarly to potholes, there is a certain size that a loose or cracked pavement must be either raised by or lowered by. On a pavement, the pavement must be raised or dropped by at least an inch in order to make a claim. It is also best to take pictures in this situation too, as it can help your claim.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all types of personal injury claim. This includes trips and falls on pavements and roads due to potholes and pavement defects. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Accidents on Public Transport for Students

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

University students across the UK are currently travelling home for Christmas, with many using public transport. During this time, with the rush for many students to get home before the 9th December, the likelihood of accidents on public transport may rise. There could be more road traffic accidents, or accidents at stations due to the rush of people travelling.

Students have been told to travel between 3-9 December if they test negative for COVID-19. This is because the infection rates will generally be lower after the mass testing that they have undergone. They are planning on doing this to reduce the risk of the students passing the virus to their loved ones. The government and universities are likely to stagger the return to universities after the Christmas period in January.

Students on Public Transport

There will undoubtedly be a lot of students using public transport during this week, and with that the amount of accidents may rise. Accidents on public transport can occur on buses, trains, taxis, and more.

According to a report by the BBC, students in England can travel as long as they have had a negative test result. In Scotland students must have two negative test results in 5 days before they can travel. If students test positive, then they must self-isolate before being able to travel.

The public transport companies may add extra transport for this period. This may also cause the number of accidents to rise.

Accidents on Public Transport

The main accident that can occur on public transport is a road traffic accident (RTA). For example, if you are on a bus and a driver hits the bus, or vice-versa, then you may be able to claim. This includes if the accident was the bus driver’s fault.

Another accident that may happen on public transport includes accidents because of the rush of people trying to get on transport, such as a fall at a station. If you have fallen at a station, and it was someone else’s fault, such as a floor that has been recently cleaned but does not have a wet floor sign, then you may be able to make a claim.

What to do if you have an accident on public transport?

If you have an accident on public transport, the first thing you need to do is report the accident. That can be to the bus driver, the bus or train company, or the taxi company. Then you need to make a GP appointment or go to A&E to see the extent of your injuries.

It could also be beneficial to you if there are witnesses to the accident. That could be other passengers or other drivers that were involved in the accident. Or it could be any staff if your accident happened at a station.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents on public transport. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

Common Black Friday Accidents

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It has been a massive day in the USA for many years, but in the past few years, the phenomenon has spread to the UK. Many items are reduced on the day, and its surrounding days to kickstart Christmas shopping, but it is not without its risks. With the increased number of shoppers, there is an increase in Black Friday accidents.

Whilst this year it is, understandably being held online, in the past it has led people to flood to shops.  With more shops starting to open again in some parts of the country in the lead up to Christmas, the number of accidents may rise. There are some accidents, however, that happen more than others in this period.

Common Black Friday Accidents in Shops

Most accidents that happen on Black Friday and the festive period do so in shops. This can be due to health and safety issues, inadequate staffing, or the fault of other members of the public. Shops have a duty of care, set out in the Occupier’s Liability Act 1984, to ensure that no one is injured whilst on their premises.

This is especially important on Black Friday and during the festive period, as the number of shoppers increases. Businesses and shop owners, at this time, must take even more care to make sure no one has an accident. This includes making sure there are adequate members of staff in to deal with the increased footfall and making sure they have the correct training to deal with the numbers.

Falling Items

It is no surprise that many Black Friday accidents happen in shops. A big cause of accidents in shops is falling items hitting people. Falling items can be dangerous in any circumstance, but may be made worse around the festive period. If the items fall due to the fault of someone else, for example items not being stacked correctly or people pulling items off shelves in an unsafe way, then it may be something you can claim for.

Crushing

Another accident that can be caused on and around Black Friday is crushing. Causes of these accidents include people rushing to get certain items, and it can cause serious injuries. If shops do not have the correct security or health and safety measures, this can lead to more accidents.

Assault

Another form of accident that can happen on Black Friday is assault. There may be cases where someone assaults you trying to get an item, or in the rush to get to the sales. There is a body who deal with assault compensation cases. They are known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or CICA.

Common Black Friday Accidents on the Road

There can also be accidents during the festive period before you even enter a shop. There are many accidents that happen on the roads and in car parks too. Causes of these accidents can include speeding, driving carelessly, and drivers fighting for parking spaces.

Black Friday and the Christmas period causes many drivers to drive more recklessly on the roads, with drivers speeding and not concentrating. According to Department for Transport statistics, the 10 days including and following Black Friday are when the most crashes happen on UK roads. This is likely due to the rush of shoppers.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who deal with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in shops, public places, and on the roads. If you have had an accident and it was someone else’s fault, then you may be able to claim compensation.

Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

Accident Photos: A Quick Guide

Posted on by Nicola Dolan

If you have an accident in public, we know that taking photos of what caused you to have your accident may be the last thing on your mind. However, they are important in your potential claim.

Accidents in public places are one of the most common types of enquiry we receive here at The Compensation Experts. Whether that is a trip, slip or fall on a pavement to falling on a pothole in the road, they can encompass a wide variety of claims. If you have fallen on the street or a road, then, in most circumstances, you may be asked for photos of the area you fell in. These photos are important as they help build the basis of your claim.

 

Pavement Accident Photos

If you have had a slip, trip or fall on the pavement due to a pothole or a raised paving stone, for example, then you may be able to make a claim. In cases where you have fallen on a pavement, the hole, paving slab, or whatever you have fallen on, must be at least an inch. This is equivalent to a 50p piece.

If you need to take pictures for a potential claim, then we recommend that you use something in the photos to show the size of it. That could be a 50p piece, a tape measure or ruler, a credit card, or anything that is bigger than an inch. This is important as it the depth shows that it could be something that could have been avoided by the council or landowner with regular maintenance.

 

Road Accident Photos

If you have had an accident on the road due to a pothole or uneven surface, then you may also be able to make a claim. Potholes or uneven surfaces on the road need to be bigger than those on the pavement. They need to be 2 inches deep and 12 inches (a foot) across in either width or length.

When you take photos of these defects, then you need to use something that measures both the depth of the pothole, and something that measures the width or length of it. An example would be to use a plank of wood, or a spirit level across to show the width or length, and then a tape measure to show the depth. This is important as a measured photo can be used to show that the accident could have been avoided with regular maintenance.

 

What If You Do Not Yet Have Photos

If you have had an accident but you do not yet have photos, do not panic. If you know that the defect is still there, and you can get back to the area to take photos, we may still be able to help you. We advise that you go out and take the pictures as soon as possible though, especially if you have reported the defect to the council or landowner.

 

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, the solicitors we work with deal with many personal injury claims every day. This includes public place claims, and slips, trips and falls. This means that they are well placed to help you get the compensation you may be entitled to. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Stormy conditions no excuse for unsafe pavements and roads

Posted on by Jonathon

If you’ve gone to work, taken the kids to school or frankly done anything that’s required leaving the house in the last few days, then you will no doubt have experienced the effects of Storm Ciara.

With Storm Dennis now forecast to be hitting British shores by the weekend, we are likely to continue experiencing disruption to public transport, sporting fixtures and our daily lives for the foreseeable future too.

This bout of bad weather has meant that, in recent days, it has been hazardous to walk down the street – even in areas that haven’t experienced flooding thankfully, there has still been large volumes of ground water, as well as black ice in some parts, on pavements and roads.

Add to this the high winds, fallen trees and blizzard conditions that we’ve had, and it would be fair to say that it has also been treacherous to drive on UK roads the past few days, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents happening.

It is the responsibility of your local council to ensure that the highways and byways around you – this includes both the roads and pavements – are cleared and gritted in icy and windy conditions and so, safe to travel on. Similarly, it is the duty of Highways England to make sure that the nation’s motorways are safe for motorists to use, while it is the responsibility of Transport Scotland north of the border.

If this is not done, and you are involved in a road traffic accident (RTA), or suffer a slip, trip or fall while walking down the street, you may be entitled to compensation.

At The Compensation Experts, we work with specialist law firms who have a track record of making successful compensation claims against local councils and after RTAs have occurred. We and the legal firms we work with have a lot of experience with these types of cases and so, are well-placed to help you get you the maximum amount of compensation.

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident or have sustained any type of injury while out in public the last few days, the stormy conditions we have been experiencing are not an excuse. Therefore, you may be entitled to compensation.

Do not hesitate to contact The Compensation Experts via the contact form on our website or by calling 0161 413 8765.

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