Accident Claims on the Rise
We live in an increasingly litigious world in which accident claims are on the rise. The sector of law responsible for accident claims have sometimes received negative press and are often disparagingly called “ambulance chasers” because of controversial cases. Press stories often create a false impression about the law surrounding personal injury.
The law is in place to protect vulnerable individuals who have been injured as the result of an incident which was not their fault. In other words, an incident in which someone has been negligent. This is not the same as an "accident" for which no one is responsible.
It‚s therefore slightly confusing that we refer to accident claims when really we mean personal injury claims.
Whilst it sometimes receives a negative press this area of law does some very good work. For example, the recent high profile case in which a Mother won compensation, after a 5 year battle, for her daughter who was seriously injured in a hit and run accident.
Earlier this month Patricia Connolly was awarded £1 million in compensation for her daughter after a harrowing 5 year battle. Her daughter sustained serious injuries having been knocked down by a hit and run driver and was left severely disabled as a result. The accident happened in Sale, Greater Manchester in 2004 and was witnessed by at least 30 people.
Despite the witness statements it was impossible to prove that Andrew Palma, who owned the car, was driving it at the time of the accident. He came forward and admitted that he was the car owner but denied that he was driving the car. He was prosecuted for not having insurance, fined £200 and received a 12 month driving ban.
The family pursued their accident claim against the Motor Insurer’s Bureau, who will make compensation payouts in cases where nobody can be proven to be accountable.
In June 2009, after their 5 year battle, they have finally been successful in their accident claim and have won a lump sum of £1 million plus and annual sum of £40,000.
The payout will be life changing for the family and particularly the daughter although it will obviously never fully compensate for the injuries sustained in the accident. She will be able to live independently in her own flat and pay for the care that she now needs.
This successful case illustrates the worthwhile work that personal injury lawyers undertake.
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