Whiplash – It’s time to take it seriously

Let’s be clear from the outset, whiplash is a serious injury and can result in long-term damage and lessen the quality of an individual’s life if left untreated.  It has often had the reputation as the type of personal injury claim unscrupulous people use as a vehicle to defraud insurers. However, according to an independent survey of 4000 respondents conducted by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) in 2012:

• Up to 40% of those who suffer from whiplash never claim for compensation
• In the previous 12 months whiplash claims had fallen by 24,000
• Almost 90% of claimants were diagnosed with whiplash by a medical professional
• Far from being an epidemic, only 1 in 100 individuals suffered from whiplash in the preceding 12 months of the survey being conducted
• 80% of suffers either report their symptoms accurately, or underplay them
• Just under 30% of claims were encouraged by the victim’s insurance company

What is whiplash?

Whiplash, or neck strain, is caused when a sudden, violent movement or impact causes your head to jerk forward, backwards, or sideways, beyond its normal range of movement.  The strain can take several months to heal. The muscles and tendons in the neck stretch and tear causing various symptoms such as:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Pain when moving the neck
• Back pain
• Pins and needles in your arms and legs
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Vertigo

Rearward Facing Car Seats – Time for a Re-Think?

In 2009 the British Medical Journal published an article on the significant safety benefits of keeping children in rearward-facing seating when travelling in a motor vehicle. Now, five years after this paper was released, how accessible is information regarding the benefits of keeping your child rearward-facing for as long as possible? Has the United Kingdom changed its official guidelines regarding rearward-facing car seats? And finally, are they readily available in high street stores or do parents still have to import them from abroad?

The key points from the 2009 article are as follows:

• Many babies are switched from a rearward-facing car seat to a forward facing seat at nine kilograms (eight months of age for a boy on the 50th centile for weight)
• Excessive stretching or even severing of the spinal cord can result if a child is involved in a head-on crash while in a forward facing car seat
• Rearward-facing seats are safer than forward facing seats for children under four years old
• Parents and guardians should be advised to keep young children in rearward-facing seats for as long as possible

The above points are taken from the original article which you can view here in full.

What happens in a motor vehicle accident when a young child is facing forward in their car seat?

In a young child, the head constitutes 25% of their body weight. Their bones are still developing so they are soft and consist mainly of cartilage. This allows them to tumble down stairs or fall off playground equipment and, apart from a few tears, often emerge relatively unscathed.

However, in a high-impact, frontal motor vehicle collision, this works against them in a terrible way. The weight of the head, when it is flung forward, can stretch the neck to the point where the spine snaps, causing internal decapitation. Due a child’s ribcage being soft, the internal organs are not protected against the tremendous force being pushed onto them by their car seat harness and the damage caused can be fatal.

Parent’s access to information

The internet can provide a wealth of information regarding the safety benefits of rearward-facing car seats for children up to four years of age. However:

• Many parents are not in a financial position to pay for an internet connection
• Some families do not speak English as their first language and are therefore limited to the amount of information they can access from British websites
• Lack of education and understanding can limit an individual’s ability to research and understand the information that may be available

Unfortunately, lack of accurate, easily obtainable information is one of the key reasons why even well-educated parents are unaware of the importance of keeping their child rearward-facing as long as possible.

Has the United Kingdom changed its official guidelines?

Some countries, including the United States and New Zealand, have changed their regulations and official guidelines to recommend children remain rearward-facing up until two years of age. Sweden’s official recommendations state that parents keep children rearward-facing until they are 4 years old (contrary to popular belief, this is not enshrined in law).

At present in the United Kingdom babies over nine kilograms (around eight to nine months old) can be forward-facing. However, new European Union regulations which were ratified by the UK in July 2013, known as the i-Size Regulations (or UN R129), state that children should remain rearward-facing until they are at least 15 months old. i-Size also requires that an ISOFIX click-and-go system is used to fit the car seat rather than the car’s own seatbelts. This reduces the chance of the car seat being fitted incorrectly. However, these new regulations will run alongside the existing regulations for the next few years.

Therefore, you can still buy and safely use car seats which comply with the current ECE R44/04. This is causing confusion among parents as they are no longer sure which regulations to follow. Again, uncertainty often arises due to lack of readily accessible information.

Have rearward-facing car seats become more available?

As recently as 2011 it was extremely difficult to purchase a rearward-facing car seat, suitable for a child up to four years of age in the United Kingdom. Caroline Green, mother of a three year old daughter says “The only reason I knew about the benefits of rearward-facing car seats was because my brother worked for Volvo and was involved in some of their safety testing”. She goes on to say; “It really frustrated me that I could not walk into a high street shop and purchase a rearward-facing car seat, I had to do a lot of research to find a stockist”.

Some high street retailers are now stocking rearward-facing car seat brands such as Maxi-cosi and Britax, however, the number is still fairly limited and the price is prohibitive to many individuals.

Sadly, at this point in time, many parents, especially those belonging to socio-economically deprived groups, are unable to give their child what could a be life-saving advantage in a motor vehicle accident. This is due to lack of knowledge, advice, and the current difficulty and expense of obtaining a rearward-facing car seat for children up to four years of age.

On Your Bike – Keeping Safe on the Roads

When it comes to health and general well-being few activities can match cycling.  You have all the benefits of being outdoors, exercising and you can get to where you want to go for free.  Sadly, despite all these positive advantages, cyclists are the most vulnerable people on our roads and every year many of them suffer injury or tragically lose their lives.

Here are a few facts that highlight the risks cyclists take every time they venture out on the roads:

• In 2012, 118 cyclists lost their lives on Britain’s roads, up by 10 per cent on the previous year.

• 6 people were killed on bikes in less than two weeks on London roads in November 2013.

• Accidents whereby cyclists suffered serious injuries were up by 4 per cent to 3,222 in 2012.

So what are the main causes of death or serious injury to cyclists?  More importantly, how can cyclists protect themselves so they can stay safe on Britain’s roads?

According to a recent report by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the most common contributory factor to motor vehicle collisions with cyclists recorded by police is “failure to look properly”.   In 57 per cent of cases the driver of the vehicle failed to do this and in 43 per cent of cases it was the cyclist.  Many accidents occur when cyclists are entering the road from the pavement. Additionally, drivers turning or manoeuvring without proper care accounts for 17 per cent of serious accidents in the UK.

Whilst cars and taxis are the most common type of vehicle involved in road traffic collisions with cyclists, heavy vehicles pose a particular danger, especially in London.  To illustrate this, in November 2013 when six cyclists were killed in less than two weeks in the nation’s capital it was found five of the accidents involved a truck, bus or coach. Statistics also show that accidents commonly occur when a cyclist is turning left at a junction or if a large vehicle such as a bus passes too close.

So what can a cyclist do to protect themselves when they are on the road?

Wear a helmet

According to a RoSPA report from 2013, head injuries are extremely common in cycling accidents.  In a study of 116 cyclists it was found head injuries occurred in 70 per cent of the fatal accidents in London and 80 per cent of fatal accidents on rural roads.

A comprehensive study done in America in 2009 found that wearing a helmet reduced the risk of head and brain injury by 63 per cent to 88 per cent even if a car was involved.  The authors of the study concluded “Helmets reduce bicycle-related head and facial injuries for cyclists of all ages involved in all types of crashes, including those involving motor vehicles.”

Although it may mess up your hairstyle, there is no denying that wearing a cycle helmet is the best thing you can do to reduce your chances of receiving serious or even fatal head injuries if you are involved in a cycling accident.

Make Sure You Are Visible

Use the lights on your bike in bad weather conditions and after dark, and ensure you wear brightly coloured, reflective clothing.

Cycle Defensively

Make sure you make eye-contact with other drivers and always indicate your intentions when turning or stopping by using the correct hand signals.  Be aware of cars parking who may open their car door without seeing you approach and ride the width of a car door away from parked cars.  Avoid cycling on the inside of trucks and buses as they may not be able to see you.  If you are cycling on the inside of a large vehicle they may be unable to see you when they make a left turn manoeuvre so be very aware of the vehicle’s movements and indication.

Cycling is a healthy, fun activity which can be enjoyed by people of all ages.  By taking a few simple precautions you can enjoy riding your bike and avoid any nasty injuries.

Stay safe on holiday this summer

Everyone looks forward to a summer break, but every year many British tourists suffer injuries or illnesses abroad that could have been prevented. This article from leading personal injury solicitors, Injury Lawyers 4U, offers some helpful advice on staying safe this summer and explains what to do if an incident occurs.

Hotel safety

All kinds of accidents can happen in hotels, from slips and trips on uneven pathways to diving into shallow swimming pools with inadequate warning signs. You’d be surprised how many people fall off hotel or apartment balconies each year, too! Of course, not all hotel accidents are the proprietor’s fault, so it’s important to take extra care to avoid any incidents happening to you or a family member.

Road safety

Road accidents are one of the most common types of accidents abroad, often due to issues such as unfamiliar road layouts, substandard road surfaces and unsafe vehicles. If you’re on foot, always exercise extreme caution when crossing the road as rights of way may not be the same as in the UK. And if you hire a vehicle, check that it’s roadworthy before you drive it away. Mopeds should be avoided if possible.

Food and drink

Holidays abroad are a great opportunity to sample new cuisines, but foreign hygiene standards aren’t always up to scratch. Avoid eating in roadside establishments or from buffets where the food has been kept warm. And watch out for ice put in drinks or used to chill food, as it may be made from impure water.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you’re injured in an accident abroad that wasn’t your fault, or contract an illness such as food poisoning, you can claim compensation just like in the UK. Dealing with an incident abroad can be daunting, but Injury Lawyers 4U are here to help.

Here’s what you need to do whilst you’re still on holiday:

•  – Get medical treatment for your injuries or illness.
•  – Report the incident to the police if necessary.
•  – Tell your tour operator about the incident, if applicable.
•  – Gather as much evidence as you can, e.g. witness names and addresses, or photographs of the incident site.
•  – Keep all relevant paperwork, especially medical documents such as hospital receipts or discharge paperwork.

Then, call Injury Lawyers 4U on 0845 345 4444 or fill in the short form on our website. We’ve handled hundreds of successful accident compensation claims for overseas incidents and you can trust us to help you get all the compensation you deserve.

Revealed – The Dangers Of Commuting To Work

A survey by insurance company LV has revealed the dangers faced by British commuters whilst travelling to and from work. Their research found that an amazing 1.7 million people have to take time off work each year because of injuries sustained whilst commuting, and the average person is at risk of serious injury 32 times each week.

Key figures released in LV’s report included:

•  – The average commuter takes 1,600 risks a year
•  – The biggest dangers are crossing the road without looking and running down stairs or escalators
•  – 40% of people admitted jumping on to trains or buses whilst the doors are closing
•  – 39% of commuters walk into the road to get around slower pedestrians
•  – With an average of 35 risks a week, women take more risks than men.

The results of commuting injuries can be serious, with LV finding that some of the commonest risks resulted in people taking more than three months off work. And whilst the people surveyed admitted that they were injured because they took risks, many more commuters are injured every year through no fault of their own.

If you’ve been injured in a commuting accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation – whether you were travelling on foot, by bike, car, bus, tram or train. Britain’s roads are especially dangerous and in the daily rush to get to and from work, not everyone takes as much care as they should. According to the Department of Transport, almost 204,000 people were killed or injured in road traffic accidents in 2011 alone.

Claiming compensation for a road traffic accident

As the LV survey revealed, the effects of a road traffic accident aren’t just physical – you could end up being seriously out of pocket if you have to take a long time off work. On top of that, you may need to pay for specialist treatment, care or therapy that isn’t available on the NHS to help you recover or regain your quality of life. Claiming compensation means you can focus on getting better without worrying about financial issues.

Talk to Injury Lawyers 4U today

At Injury Lawyers 4U, we know all about road traffic accident claims. We’ve handled hundreds of successful cases for pedestrians, car drivers, cyclists and public transport users. You can trust Injury Lawyers 4U to give you honest, professional advice about your claim, and to deal with your case as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Call today on 0845 345 4444 and take your first steps to getting the compensation you deserve.

French Police Investigate Coach Crash

French police are investigating a coach crash in the Alps which may have been caused by a fault with the brakes. The accident involved a coach owned by a firm based in County Durham, which was carrying 50 British youngsters who’d been on a skiing holiday in the area. Three of the passengers were critically injured and the 64 year old driver was killed.

Under French law, the bus should have been safety checked by local police before starting its journey down the steep mountainside. So far, investigations suggest that the safety assessment, which would have checked the brakes, didn’t take place. And whilst it hasn’t been confirmed that brake failure caused the crash, local police have said that ‘it is one of the strongest hypotheses.’

Statistically, coach travel is relatively safe but sadly, accidents like this happen every year – and not just during the skiing season. The outcome of this incident is still unknown, but if the investigation finds that it could have been prevented, the injured passengers and the coach driver’s family may be entitled to claim compensation.

The same rule applies to anyone injured in a coach accident that was caused by someone else’s actions, negligence or omission, whether the incident happened in the UK or abroad. Coach-related accidents don’t have to involve a crash or collision. Passengers can also claim for injuries caused by other things, such as luggage falling off a rack or unsafe steps that cause slips and trips when embarking or leaving the coach.

If you’ve been injured in a coach accident, don’t suffer in silence. Claiming compensation isn’t just about getting financial redress for your experience. By speaking up, you’ll also highlight the health and safety issues that caused the incident – helping prevent other people being affected in the future.

Find out today if you can claim

Injury Lawyers 4U are ready and waiting to help with your claim. We’re a national network of specialist personal injury lawyers who’ve dealt with dozens of successful coach accident compensation claims. Our aim is to get you all the compensation you’re entitled to, whilst helping you access the support and services you need to recover from your injuries.

Call us today on 0845 345 4444 – we’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or complete our simple online form here and a legal expert will call you back.

Road Safety and Compensation Claims

When it comes to the subject of road safety, there are always different voices quoting from various sources to back up their own particular case. The question therefore remains: are the roads a safer place today than they were in the past or is it more dangerous than ever to take to the tarmac?

As with many things, there are no black and white answers. Your own particular circumstances and relationship to the road will have just as big an impact on safety as any external factors such as road conditions or weather.

Vulnerable road users

Take for instance the case of cyclists. Something which has been in the news a great deal recently are high profile campaigns which aim to raise awareness of the dangers faced by these vulnerable road users. The suggestion that safety enhancing measures could be implemented has also been made, with this another prime focus.

In London, many predicted that the introduction of ‘Boris bikes’, the subsidised system of making shared bicycles available to the general public, would cause an increase in road accidents related to this vehicle. Figures suggest that in 2007 there was a cycling casualty for every 58,000 trips undertaken in the Capital and this has actually fallen to a rate of about 1 in every 49,000 for 2010.

Official government figures released by the Department Of Transport show that people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads across the country numbered 52,490 people in 2011, down by 5% from the same period the previous year. However, when it comes to cyclists there has been an 8% year on year rise.

Of course, accidents involving people on two wheels, whether pedal powered or on powerful motorcycles, often cause a knee jerk reaction over where to point the finger of blame. Contrary to popular belief, in many cases it is other road users whose negligence and unawareness towards the needs of cyclists who are to blame for the mishaps which could result serious injuries or even fatalities.

Accident compensation

In fact, any traffic collision might provide the basis for successful road accident claims when it comes to being financial compensated for injuries or other losses suffered. Any situation which results in injury or illness for an innocent party and where blame can be fairly apportioned to a third party is likely to have the grounds for a personal injury claim and its important you consider this action if involved in an accident.

When it comes to injuries sustained by road accidents, making a claim can be a relatively straightforward matter. Insurance is a legal requirement and should be in place to help cover damages to the car, with emotional and physical trauma compensation via personal injury claims.

If the cause of the accident was ill maintained roads or signage, then a public body may well be at fault. In such circumstances, claims will be need to be made against the body or organisation in question.

Been involved in a car accident? Stay calm and follow our guide for what to do next

Car accidents happen every day, some serious and some not so serious. However, drivers should be actively trying to reduce the number of car accidents as a number of fatal injuries which arise from careless driving could have been easily avoided.

So if you have been involved in a car accident as a driver or passenger, what steps should you take?

Not injured? Remain calm

If you have been lucky enough not to be harmed from a car accident, there is a chance that somebody else is. Therefore, it is especially important to stay calm as the chances are you will have to take necessary measures to ensure everybody else is safe.

Establish if anybody else is injured. This includes the driver and passengers in the car you are in, individuals inside any other vehicles, as well as pedestrians. If anybody has been hurt you must call an ambulance straight away and do your best to keep everybody involved calm.

Call the police

Safety is the most important factor straight after an accident. So once an ambulance has been called then the police need to be informed. It is illegal not to report a car accident within 24 hours of it occurring. Licenses can be disqualified, penalty points can be gained and drivers can be fined if they do not notify the police.

Don’t take the blame

The worst mistake any driver can make when a car accident happens is taking the blame for it. Apologising or taking responsibility for the accident if it was not your fault could be used against you if claims are made by any driver involved. Even if you think the accident is your fault you should not admit this until it has been confirmed and established by others involved or witnesses.

Get details

Being involved in a car accident is a horrible experience and many are left very shocked immediately after. However, it is important various details are collected from other people involved. The full name and address of all people involved in the accident should be noted.

Other drivers involved in a collision need to provide their car insurance details and it is worth trying to determine if they are the fully registered owner of the vehicle they were driving. If they are not the registered owner then they should provide the name and address of that person. The police need to be informed of anybody who leaves the scene without providing details.

Other details worth collecting are the conditions at the time of the accident. For example, the road conditions could be slippery or there could have been poor lighting.

Claim

Once you have contacted the emergency services, recorded details from drivers, passengers and witnesses it is time you decide whether you are entitled to make a claim with Injurylawyers4u – specialists in car accident claims.

You should make a claim as quickly as you can as there is a limited time period from the time of the accident.

The Most Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents

People often talk about car accidents because there are always more cars on the roads than motorcycles. However, attention should not be taken away from motorcycle accidents because like car accidents, they are very common and often more fatal to motorcyclists.

In fact, the UK roads see approximately 600 motorcyclists killed and roughly 7,000 seriously injured year after year.

Whilst cars have airbags to protect drivers and passengers from going through the windscreen and hitting themselves against dashboards, motorcycles don’t. Cars also have seat belts to prevent drivers and passengers becoming unseated, which prevents injuries but motorcycles lack this equipment as well.

The fact motorcycles don’t have seatbelts and airbags is quite obvious, but often people forget that not only are cars blessed with these two safety components, they also are built of metal which is a strong protective material that shelters occupants inside the vehicle.

So, despite car accidents being more common, motorcycle accidents can be much more dangerous. The most frequent injuries include:

Ligament injuries

The knee is the most common area a ligament injury will occur from a motorcycle injury. This is because often the impact from a motorcycle accident is twisted and the constant high level of tension can cause ligaments to stretch, which can lead to long-term if not permanent joint instability.

Fractures

A large percentage of fractural injuries occur to the fibula and tibia, which are classed as lower limb injuries. These are common with motorcycle accidents with the worst case leading to permanent disability. Other serious outcomes from fractures can be internal damage to vital organs and amputation.

Motorcyclists that suffer less severe fractures can fully recover in a short space of time, although medical care is required.

Brain Injury

Unfortunately, the most frequent injury from motorcycle accidents happen to the brain. Despite the majority of motorcyclists always wearing a protective helmet, the force of impact that occurs to the head from a motorcycle collision is so severe the brain is put under massive pressure causing it to move.

When the brain moves in a situation, such as a motorcycle injury, the brain tissue and blood vessels are stretched and then squeezed, potentially causing life threatening injuries to the brain. Head injuries are responsible for most deaths related to motorcycle injuries.

Whiplash

When you think of all motorist accidents, most passengers and drivers will experience whiplash. This is because most motorist accidents cause the head and neck to violently jolt back and forth. The neck is the affected area as the ligaments and muscle at the neck become sprained from the force of movement.

Whiplash is often recovered in a short time, sometimes as quickly as a week; however more serious cases leave motorists suffering for the rest of their life.

Psychological injuries

Physical injuries typically are the most common with motorist accidents. However, most, if not all passengers and drivers involved experience some psychological trauma immediately after an accident.

Flashbacks of the accident can affect drivers and passengers causing many to fear getting back in a car or onto a motorbike.

If you were injured from a motorcycle accident, contact InjuryLawyers4U for advice and to discuss compensation you may be due for your injury, whether it is physical or psychological.