Introduction to Personal Injury Claims for Injured Passengers
About Compensation Claims for Passengers injured in Road Accidents
Whether you are a passenger on public transport, in a taxi or in a privately owned vehicle such as a van, car or motorcycle, if you are injured due to someone else's negligence you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation.
Road accidents are unfortunately very common and can cause injuries to passengers in exactly the same way as drivers are injured. The only difference is that it would be very unlikely that a passenger would ever be found to be anything other than an innocent party.
If you have been injured in a road accident as a passenger you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation. For more information about how Thompsons Solicitors can help you, complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
Injuries suffered by Passengers in Road Accidents
Types of Injuries Passengers suffer in Road Accidents
Injuries suffered by passengers in road accidents can vary from minor whiplash to broken bones, burns, head injuries, spinal injuries or even amputations. Some road accidents can even lead to fatalities.
Passengers can help to prevent or minimise injuries by wearing their seatbelts at all times whether in the front or back of the vehicle. They should also refrain from distracting the driver and if riding as a pillion passenger on a motorcycle should wear all of the recommended safety wear such as a helmet, leathers, boots and gloves.
To prevent or minimise injuries to children they should be strapped into a suitable child's car seat. Until a child reaches 14 years old it is the driver of the vehicle's responsibility to ensure that the child is protected by a car seat or seatbelt. Further information about protecting children as passengers in road accidents can be found below.
There have been legal cases where the guilty driver's insurance company has challenged the right of an injured passenger to recover compensation where the injured person was aware that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When this happens, it may result in the recovery of slightly discounted compensation but the fundamental right to recover damages is preserved. If the passenger was completely unaware that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, there is no discount at all.
If you or someone you know has been injured as a passenger in a road accident you may be able to make a compensation claim. For more information contact us on 08000 224 224.
Protecting Passengers from Injuries
The Law on Seatbelts
In private cars the law states that every person over the age of 14 has to wear an adult seatbelt if it is available regardless of whether they are travelling in the front or back of the vehicle. Every passenger over the age of 14 is responsible for ensuring they are wearing their seatbelt and that it is properly adjusted.
Children under the age of 14 must either wear a child restraint or use the adult seatbelt depending on their exact age and height. There are very few exceptions to these rules.
For more in depth information about the Law and Child Car Seats and Seatbelts visit www.childcarseats.org.uk/index.htm.
If you or someone you know has been injured as a passenger in a road accident you may be able to make an accident compensation claim. For more information about how Thompsons Solicitors can help you, complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.