Unsecured items in a car and making a passenger injury claim
It is always nice to get a lift. Whether you are travelling with friends, family or acquaintances, it is important to be gracious in accepting the favour. However, no sensible person should let politeness get in the way of his or her safety.
This is why if you are travelling in another person's car it is always a good idea to ask the driver to ensure that all luggage is secure. While it might seem like a slightly awkward proposition, it is a far better one than suffering personal injury then having to make a passenger injury claim.
Not everyone likes to keep a tidy car and when suffering a collision, taking a sharp corner or being forced to break suddenly, even the simplest and smallest objects have the potential to be fatal. It is hard to imagine that an object as seemingly innocuous as a mobile telephone could cause serious brain injury or even death. Yet the following car crash scenario (taken from the RAC Foundation) shows just how dangerous an unsecured mobile can be:
Your car hits a solid object, like a tree or stationary car, at 30mph.
After only 0.015 seconds, the airbag is fully inflated, your seatbelt keeps you firmly in your seat and your chances of escaping with just a few bruises are good.
There is a mobile phone on your back shelf. Although your car is now motionless, the phone which was not stopped by the obstacle your car hit is still travelling at 30mph. The phone weighs around 125 grams but is flying forwards with a force equal to around 5 kilos.
0.14 seconds after the car's initial impact, you are hit by the phone. The impact resembles a blow to the head with the force of two bricks.
Although those travelling in a car with just a few unsecured objects such as books, mobiles or drink bottles are at risk of suffering personal injury, there are particular situations where the danger is recognised as being at its most heightened.
Students travelling to and from university, people moving house and holidaymakers are all groups likely to travel in heavily laden cars where any kind of mishap could result in catastrophic consequences.
While the RAC advise drivers to ensure all loose items are secured before setting out on a journey, it is also good advice that any passenger wishing to avoid having to make an unnecessary passsenger injury claim should be vigilant on this point too. While it might sometimes not seem polite, it is undoubtably in the best interests of all parties.
Making a no win, no fee passenger injury claim
If you have suffered injury while travelling in a friend's or relative's vehicle, you will be entitled to claim compensation.
Understandably, many find brooching this subject to be difficult. Yet it is worth remembering that the driver will rarely suffer any financial penalty as a result of a passenger claiming compensation; it is the car insurance provider who must pay out. This is just one of the many reasons that insurance is compulsory for all road-going vehicles in the UK.
Our no win, no fee lawyers have the sensitivity and experience that comes with years of dealing with this kind of claim.
It will reassure you to know that their services are available to you at absolutely no cost win or lose. In addition, our 100% compensation promise means that all our succesfull clients receive every penny awarded them we never take a cut.
If you would like to make a passenger injury claim today, simply fill out an online claim form, use our e-chat faciility or call us now on 0800 10 757 95.
