Archive for the 'Road accidents' Category

It has been suggested by the Department for Transport (”DfT”) that the number of fatalities and injuries caused in road accident cases reduced in 2007/2008 compared to the statistics for 2006/2007.

The DfT suggest that the overall number of relevant road accidents had reduced by 5%.  They also indicate that there was a 4% reduction for motorcycle accidents, however the number of cyclists either killed or injured increased by 5%.  The findings are based on the number of road accidents reported to the Police in the UK during the first 3 months of 2008.

Research has shown that people who suffer with head, neck and back pain can sometimes trace the source of the problem to a damaged jaw.  When the jaw joint is subjected to trauma as a result of a blow to the face, a heavy fall or a road accident, damage can occur.  The jaw is in constant use and it is therefore very difficult for the body to heal it, and as a result there is often pain and wearing down of teeth.  Also, many people consider clicking or popping of the jaw joint to be normal or unimportant, but it is sometimes an indication that a problem exists.

During their recovery process, victims of a whiplash injury will often be referred to a physiotherapist for treatment.  An undiagnosed jaw condition will hinder their recovery and could affect the way the jaw functions, and also muscle activity of the head, neck and upper back.

Statistics indicate that in the UK between 2000 and 2005 there were 3,637 road accidents resulting from oil or diesel spills.  Of these, 617 resulted in either death or serious injury.

Deposits of oil or diesel on the road leave the surface as slippery as if black ice had formed, with a potentially catastrophic effect on unsuspecting road users.  In the long term, diesel will melt the tarmac surface, which can result in the creation of potholes.  Most spills are from trucks and lorries. 

If a road accident results from such a spill and someone is injured, even though the person responsible for the spill is unlikely to be identified, claims for injury compensation can still be made against the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB).  That body acts on behalf of the insurance industry and steps in to compensate people injured in road accidents where the responsible party is either uninsured or untraced.

Employers’ misconceptions and general lack of knowledge about rehabilitation for injuries resulting from an accident at work or absence due to ill health could be costing them up to £610 million each year.

EEF (employers’ organisation) and Unum (disability insurer) have published “The Sickness Absence Report 2008″, which indicates that businesses actively providing rehabilitation for injured or sick employees have enjoyed a 0.7% lower absence rate as a result.

This equates to an extra 1.5 days’ work per employee each year, and in the manufacturing industry this means something in the region of 4.5 million working days.

A Study undertaken by Norwich Union suggests that many drivers take the blame for road accident crashes, even when it was not their fault, but by doing so this might assist their long term mental health.

The study involving 1,556 British drivers found that 19% of motorists involved in a car accident felt under pressure by the other driver to take the blame, when in 71% of cases it was not actually their fault.

However, if drivers believe that they have caused an accident and accept responsibility, then often have fewer problems afterwards.  Conversely, if they believe someone else was at fault they may suffer uncertainty and fear that similar accidents may happen to them in the future.

A study has recently suggested that women who are involved in a road accident are more at risk of suffering a whiplash injury due to a “rear end shunt” than men, simply because of their driving position.

The study was conducted by a Swedish university and found that most women adjust their seat in such a way that it left them more susceptible to whiplash.  In particular, women often sit higher and closer to the steering wheel than men, and also with a more upright back and head rest, and this may put them more at risk of suffering neck injuries in the event of a collision from behind.

Published in Truckstop News - January 2008.

In this month’s issue Steven Hinchliffe of the specialist Personal Injury firm Hinchliffes Solicitors discusses the topic of “ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD” 

At this time of the year travelling on the UK’s roadways can be a dangerous challenge, especially when you have to cope with icy road conditions, bad weather and increased congestion caused by holiday traffic, not to mention the inconsiderate and downright reckless behaviour of drivers who may have been drinking at a party, distracted by a phone call or simply with their minds on other things, such as 11^th hour Christmas shopping.

It is a shocking fact that around 10,000 accidents occur on the roads every day, which results in approximately 300,000 injuries each year.  Roads are therefore very dangerous places to be.

A recent report indicates that drivers currently have to negotiate in excess of 3 million holes in roads in the UK - made up of around 1 million potholes and a further 2 million holes caused by road works. 

Studies also suggest that the road signs highlighting these problems could actually make motoring even more hazardous and that road safety could be improved simply by reducing the number of road signs. 

One element of driving safely is the driver’s ability to react swiftly to dangers on the road.  Too much visual information could become a distraction and may actually impair reaction times.  The fewer distractions drivers face, the less likely they are to be involved in a road accident.

New technologies tested by Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, have raised hopes that road accident collisions resulting in a whiplash injury and consequent claims for personal injury compensation could be reduced by up to 50%.  The technologies involve laser and radar aided devices that could stop a car getting too close to the vehicle in front.

Statistics indicate that around 80% of the claims resulting from a car accident are in respect of low speed crashes and the new braking system is aimed at drivers who do not take sufficient care in slow moving traffic.  Many car manufacturers already use devices to help prevent high speed impacts.

It is alleged that if every car was equipped with such a device, around half of the annual road accident claims (currently 250,000) could be prevented.

The aim of a recently launched Department of Transport campaign - “Think! that yawn could save your life” - is to encourage drivers to be more aware of their tiredness and for them to stop driving when they are overtired.

Research has suggested that drivers who ignore their tiredness and do not take breaks cause 20% of the accidents occurring on major roads.  The consequences of a car accident caused by a sleeping driver are more likely to be fatal, as the tired or sleeping driver’s reaction to the situation is impaired and they may be travelling at greater speeds than they realise.

Often, people who drive for a living regularly travel long distances and drive when tired because of pressure of work.  One tenth of such drivers have admitted falling asleep at the wheel.