Scotland, car accidents and tourists

Research suggests that for Scottish drivers driving in Scotland in the summer months there is an increased car accident risk. With this risk comes an inevitable rise in the incidence of Scottish car accident compensation claims.

A perhaps surprising element of these Scottish road accident statistics is that there is a correlation between the number of foreign motorists on the roads and the number of road accidents.

This is reflected in the numbers of Scottish citizens making car accident claims for compensation against foreign motorists during this seasonal peak. This is because during the summer months there is an influx of tourists to Scotland who are not familiar with unique terrain and traffic conditions of the country.

Characteristics of Scottish roads that can be a potential factor in car accident claims for personal injuries ranging from whiplash to spinal injuries include the undulating nature of the terrain in some parts which presents visibility issues, the high incidence of rainfall making for an unpredictable road surface and the congestion on major trunk roads.

An even more surprising factor in car accidents on Scottish roads involving tourists that is often cited in summer car accident compensation claims is the number of foreign visitors who drive on the wrong side of the road.

To many, driving on the wrong side of the road might seem like an almost comical mistake, yet it is clearly not as it can cause road accidents which result in serious personal injury and, at worst, end with fatal consequences.

It is not only non-British tourists who are associated with a rise in car accidents in Scotland during the summer months. British tourists too attract a certain amount of blame for the summer swell in Scottish road accidents.

British tourists have a reputation for attempting to overtake on single carriageways in places where their unfamiliarity with the roads can lead them into dangerous and potentially fatal situations.

Of course, none of this means that Scottish drivers should become complacent about their own driving. Local Scottish drivers are still more likely to suffer car accidents than tourists in the summer months. Police and the Scottish Executive both stress the importance of local drivers keeping a safe speed and not mixing driving with alcohol.

What is being done to prevent these car accidents in Scotland
The Scottish Executive has made efforts to provide leaflets and literature available on Scottish car accident dangers to tourists who visit the country. This includes reinforcing the message of how important it is drive on the left hand side of the road.

Particular emphasis has been placed on avoiding road traffic accidents in tourist hotspots like Bute, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands and Argyll.

Information for foreign drivers as part of the Scottish Road Safety Campaign is available in English, Italian, French, German and Spanish.

Progress has certainly been made in a broader sense. In 2004 Scotland had already reached its 2010 target for reducing the number of deaths and serious personal injuries to children resulting from road accidents. However, road safety in Scotland is, of course, always a critical issue so there is little risk of anyone resting on their laurels.

Making a claim for car accident compensation in Scotland
If, while driving on Scotland's roads, you have suffered a serious personal injury such as whiplash in car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.

YouClaim are the compensation claim specialists and we have a proud record in dealing with car accident claims in Scotland. In fact, our panel of personal injury solicitors have an enviable success rate in resolving similar claims.

Another great thing about dealing with YouClaim is that, win or lose, you will not have to pay a thing. That is a guarantee.

If you win, you will get to keep 100% compensation; and even if you lose, you will not have to pay a penny as we take out an insurance policy on your behalf to cover any of the opposing side's costs. We are a truly no win, no fee claims provider.

So why not get in touch with us today as you have nothing to lose, only your right to personal injury compensation to explore?

Our friendly and highly-trained claims advisors can be contacted in one of four ways: fill out an online claims form, discuss your claim using e-chat, request a call back at a time that suits you or call us now on 0800 10 757 95.