Being aware of the surface in a road accident

When we think of a road accident, it is normally the accident part that is uppermost in the mind - the vehicles involved, and not the road itself. However, this may be misguided. Given a driver's ability to avoid a collision depends on the interaction between their tyres and the road, the state of the road is clearly something that should be considered.

Newly laid roads are designed to have a texture, either positive (where small stones protrude from a flat surface) or negative (where gaps are laid into a flat surface). In either case, enough use will cause the surface to become smoother, just as in a bald tyre. The effect is similar, reducing the levels of friction between car and road, and therefore reducing control.

However, very newly laid roads can also give less friction to car tyres. Extra care should therefore be taken on any roads that are noticeably new or severely worn.

A 2005 report by the AA claimed that one in six principal roads in the UK fails initial safety tests. While this statistic may have improved in intervening years, it would be foolish to presume every road to be perfectly maintained.

As it is not possible for a motorist to maintain roads, this statistic also underlines the importance of monitoring tread depth on your tyres. The current legal minimum for tread depth is 1.6mm. If both the road and the tyres that are in contact with it are below standard, friction drops and the chances of a road accident are therefore increased, particularly in wet weather.

Making a road accident compensation claim
If you have been hurt in a road accident that was not your fault, you could be eligible for compensation. In the event that some liability is due to the local government for not maintaining a road appropriately, the case grows more complex, but YouClaim can still help you with this.

Our team of personal injury solicitors are highly skilled in road accident cases, and all are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Furthermore, all work on a no win, no fee basis, and guarantee that win or lose, you will neither pay us a fee, nor surrender any of the compensation awarded to you in a successful case.

You can reach us by calling on 0800 10 757 95 or by chatting online. Alternatively, we can call you at a time of your choice if you complete our call-back form. Our road accident team will be able to discuss your case in detail, and answer any questions you have about the process of making a personal injury compensation claim.