Unsuitable footwear and car accidents
Many drivers in the UK are unaware that by driving in inappropriate footwear they are not only putting themselves and other drivers at risk of a car accident but are also jeopardising their chances of receiving road accident compensation in the event that anything does go wrong.
This is because wearing inappropriate footwear can reduce the amount of control a driver has over a vehicle's foot pedals. Consequently, any driver involved in a car accident who is found to have been driving in unsuitable footwear risks losing, or having reduced, their right to road accident compensation.
Incorrect footwear that may jeopardise road accident compensation
The following kinds of footwear can impair control when driving. All increase the risk of a car accident and may have the effect of reducing the amount of road accident compensation awarded to the driver:
Sandals and flip-flops both of these can be a driving hazard as the skin of the foot may become pinched between the pedal and the shoe. Flip-flops in particular are dangerous as they may slip off resulting in a terrible loss of control, which could eventually both cause a car accident and a reduction in any resultant award of road accident compensation.
Tall/knee-high boots the stiff, and sometimes tight, leather on these may reduce muscle movement in the legs, leading to impaired control of the pedals.
Thick-soled and clog shoes the thickness of these soles prevents a driver from gaining a real feeling for the amount of pressure being applied to the brake/accelerator. Driving in these may cause a car accident and put a driver at risk of being the subject of a road accident compensation claim.
Stilettos/high-heels these are perhaps the biggest car accident risk as they can become stuck under the pedals or slip off. There is quite strong evidence that in the event of a car accident they might significantly reduce a driver's eventual payout of road accident compensation.
Barefoot while driving without any kind of footwear allows a driver to have an exceptional feel for the level of the pressure being applied to the pedals, in the event of needing to make an emergency stop a driver may have trouble applying enough pressure. Also, driving without any footwear at all can cause injuries to the foot.
Stockings If a woman feels that by removing her high-heels to drive in stockings she is not risking her entitlement to 100% road accident compensation, she should think again. The stocking could cause a potentially fatal car accident by becoming stuck on the brake or accelerator pedal. Stockings also present a danger as they can slip on the pedals.
It seems that high-heels present the most persistent danger to UK motorists. Spokesperson for BRAKE, Dianne Ferreira says, "An alarming number of female drivers simply do not realise the danger they are putting themselves, and others, in by driving in inappropriate shoes. "High heels, platforms and flip-flops can seriously hamper your ability to drive safely, and could have fatal consequences. "It only takes a few seconds to change your shoes before each journey to help ensure you arrive safely."
What kind of shoe will not jeopardise a driver's road accident compensation claim?
Firstly, no shoe suitable for driving should have a sole of any more than seven centimetres thick. Shoes should also have sufficient grip to safely control the pedals.
Another important aspect is that they should allow free movement of the ankles and not to be so wide as to risk applying pressure to more than a single pedal at once.
Following this advice should reduce a person's likelihood of being involved in a car accident as well as ensuring, that if they are, they have better chance of receiving 100% road accident compensation.
Making a no win, no fee claim for road accident compensation
If you have, through no-fault of your own, suffered personal injuries in a car accident, chances are that you are entitled to road accident compensation.
Here at YouClaim our success rate in dealing with car accident claims is possibly unparalleled in the UK.
We work with a panel of some of the UK's finest personal injury solicitors who have, over the years, proved themselves to be sensitive and adept in dealing with no win, no fee claims.
We guarantee that, win or lose, we will not charge you a penny at any time of the compensation claim process: if you win, you get to keep 100% compensation and, if you lose, you will not have to pay a penny of the opposing side's legal costs as we take out an insurance policy to cover you for that outcome.
So why not get in touch and claim direct with us today?
We can be reached in several ways: Discuss your road accident claim, live, on e-chat; fill out an online claims form; request a call back; or call us now freephone on 0800 10 757 95.
