With Winter Weather Intensifying in the Lead-Up to Christmas, Safe and Cautious Driving Is Essential.
Whether it’s driving to get last minute Christmas gifts, going to see your family or just celebrating the festive season, motorists need to be extra attentive in these harsh winter conditions.
With the BBC reporting on yellow warnings of ice, issued by the Met office. Drivers should be aware of the dangers this can bring to the roads; icy road surfaces, reduced effectiveness of vehicle safety systems, longer breaking times. All these increase the risk of collision.
In this article, we look at the effect cold weather has on the safety of driving this winter.
Precautions you can take to stay safe on the roads
. Give your car time to de-ice
. Keep all windows and mirrors clear; ensure visibility of both road and other vehicles
. Keep twice the distance between cars compared to dry conditions
. Apply breaks gently; keep in mind that stopping distance can increase up to 10 times in icy conditions
. In extreme conditions, use of fog lights is permitted when visibility drops below 100 meters
. Allow extra time for journeys, accounting for any delays.
Is it safe to travel?
The highway code states that in the event of icy or snowy weather you SHOULD NOT drive in these conditions, unless you journey is essential. If it is necessary, you MUST be able to see and you MUST ensure lights and number plate are clearly visible.
In the winter across the UK, there is a 15% increase in the likelihood of RTA, when compared to summer according to Insurethebox. With the west of England showing a 28% increase in the chance of an accident on the roads.
This happens due to the increase of hazards that are caused by cold weather; Tires have less grip, cars losing control by over or under steering, reduced visibility of hazards such as black ice, as well as other drivers’ behaviour and reactions.
During the winter, people can suffer from a seasonal affective disorder due to reduced sunlight and shorter day, as stated by the NHS. This can cause people to be more generally stressed and irritable, therefore if you are on the roads this winter make sure to be considerate and aware of other vehicles.
Actions to take in the event of an accident
. stop your engine and switch on hazards to allow other driver to take precautions
. check yourself and other passengers for injuries
. seek urgent medical care, if necessary, contact the authorities
. exchange information with the other vehicle if possible
. collect any evidence possible – including photos and dashcam footage (this will help if you have a claim)
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a claim?
Starting a road traffic accident claim is very simple. There are many claims management companies advertising on national television, radio, and the internet, most claiming to work with the best law firms and that you will receive the best level of service possible.
Whilst this may be true in some cases, claims management companies are likely to pass you to a solicitor willing to pay them the most money for your business. This does not necessarily mean that they are the ‘best fit’ for you.
More often than not, the claims management company (CMC) will have no further involvement in your accident case once the solicitor has taken it on. The same may also apply to a solicitor recommended by your insurers.
We would recommend that you contact a solicitor directly and undertake your own due diligence. Speak to them. What are your first impressions? Are they talking to you clearly, in understandable, jargon-free language? How long have they been around? What do online reviews say about them and their successes with accident claims?
Once you are happy to proceed with a firm, they should discuss funding arrangements with you and whether they feel you should consider any additional insurance protection for your claim. This is often known as After the Event Insurance or ATE.
Most firms will offer to act on your behalf in a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), sometimes known as a ‘No-Win, No-Fee’ Agreement. Oakwood Solicitors Ltd is able to deal with your car accident claim on such a basis
What if the third-party driver will not provide any of their details following the accident?
It is important to ensure that if you can, you obtain the other driver’s vehicle registration following an accident. An insurer can usually be identified if the registration is available from any organisation which has permission to use the ask MID database, such as an insurer or firm of solicitors.
If the other driver is not willing to release them to you, then it is likely they have breached The Road Traffic Act 1988. You should report the matter to the police immediately.
What if the other vehicle flees from the scene of the accident?
If you feel that the other driver is going to leave the scene of the accident, try to memorise the registration of the car – or if it is safe and lawful, take a photograph. If you are unable to do so, pull into a safe place then report the incident to the police.
If it is possible, attempt to obtain details of any witnesses who may have seen the collision, asking them if they were able to take the third party’s registration number. The evidence of a witness can be crucial in determining liability for the accident and also proving the involvement of another car, thus helping any subsequent claim for compensation.
What can I claim for?
- Personal injuries, loss of earning, travel expenses, hire charges
- damage to motor vehicle, policy excess
- treatment cost, loss of/damage to clothing and personal items, vehicle diminution
- care and assistance, house alterations
- any other expenses
If you want any more information, check Claiming Expenses After a Road Traffic Accident
How long will it take?
This depends on the nature of your claim. Yes, a simple straightforward case could take approximately three months to resolve.
This would involve submitting the claim, receiving an admission of liability from the third party insurers, obtaining your medical report from an independent doctor, (and that you are happy with the content of the report), having proactive negotiations with the third party insurers and agree a reasonable offer from them which is agreed and paid in a timely manner.
In reality, though, a claim that does not involve court proceedings is more than likely to take between six and nine months.
The reason for this is that in more cases than not, there will be issues to resolve. You must bear in mind that the insurers wish to minimise their losses and as such will attempt to argue any and every point, they can think of to reduce the number of cases they pay compensation on, and the amount they have to pay on each case.
Further reading
The Highway Code – Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237) – Guidance – GOV.UK
Weather warnings – BBC Weather
15 percent increase in accidents in winter versus summer
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
Author – Declan Allen
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Rob Crompton joined Oakwood Solicitors in July 2007 as a Road Traffic Accident Paralegal Fee Earner. Rob has progressed through the organisation and holds the current position of Head of Personal Inj…
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