Car Accidents Due To Snow Claims
NoWinNoFee.com is a claims management company that helps people claim compensation for an accident or injury that wasn't their fault
With no win no fee agreements (also known as a Conditional Fee Arrangements, or CFAs), there are no upfront legal fees, which means anyone who has been involved in an accident that wasn’t their fault can gain access to justice without any financial risk. Your solicitor only gets a fee if your claim is successful. If your claim isn't successful, you won’t pay your solicitor any legal fees.
If your case is successful, typically you will pay 25% (including VAT) of your compensation to your solicitor, although they will discuss any fees before starting your case. To ensure your claim is risk free, your solicitor may take out an insurance policy on your behalf. If you terminate the agreement, you may have to pay fees for the time already spent on your claim, or due to: lack of cooperation, misleading your solicitor, missing medical or expert examinations, or not attending court hearings.
There are some instances where you are not required to use the services of a claims management company, and are able to claim yourself, for free, directly via the relevant ombudsman/compensation scheme. These include:
- Criminal injuries: The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (England, Wales, and Scotland) or the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme (Northern Ireland)
- Minor road accidents: The Official Injury Claim Portal
- Accidents involving uninsured drivers: The Motor Insurers' Bureau
Car Accident Due to Snow Claims
The big question is, can you claim compensation for a car accident due to snow? It’s one of the trickier compensation cases because solicitors need to prove negligence. However, you might be entitled to make a claim.
Call now on 0800 234 6438
Claim compensation for ice or snow accidents
The first step in assessing whether you can make a compensation claim is calling a free legal advice service on 0800 234 6438. An impartial legal advisor will ask questions about the accident and decide whether negligence was the main cause.
If they feel your claim will be successful, they’ll put you through to a no win no fee legal service, and a solicitor will take on your case. You can also fill in the online form and receive a free callback.
What are car accidents due to snow and ice?
According to the Department for Transport, 8.1% of all car accidents are caused by slippery roads, primarily due to snow and ice. Research by Insure The Box also highlights that driving during the winter increases a driver’s risk of an accident by 20%.
All road users are responsible for protecting one another, whether that’s drivers, cyclists or pedestrians. Unfortunately, a simple act of carelessness can result in a serious accident that wouldn’t usually happen in good conditions.
The Highway Code lays out guidelines for driving in the snow or ice, telling people to clear ice and snow from their windows and only drive if it’s absolutely essential.
However, some accidents occur because the local authorities haven’t taken the proper steps to protect road users, and you can hold them accountable if negligence is proven.
Why make a personal injury claim?
A road traffic accident can be a devastating event, leading to severe injuries and long-term medical care. You might have to take a lot of time off work or be unable to go back to your job due to a lasting disability caused by the incident.
Claiming compensation can give you some much-needed financial support to cover general expenses. However, it also helps you hold the negligent party accountable and ensure they take steps in the future to prevent their actions from harming anyone else.
The Road Traffic Act (1988) clearly outlines the responsibilities of other road users, while the Highways Act details how the Highways Agency should maintain the roads and ensure they’re safe for people.
Failing to adhere to these regulations can cause serious injuries, but holding the negligent party accountable means you can receive financial support and inspire change.
The causes of ice and snow accidents
There are many potential causes of ice and snow accidents, including human error and poor maintenance of the roads. Let’s take a look at them in more detail:
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Black ice: When water freezes on the ground, it’s called black ice. Unfortunately, it’s not something you’ll immediately notice, but driving over it can increase the risks of an accident.
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Carelessness: Driving in the snow requires a great deal of concentration, and driver carelessness is the most common cause of accidents.
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Slick roads: Snow and ice often mean your tyres aren’t able to gain as much traction, so driving at speeds or not aligning the steering wheel properly can result in an accident.
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Lack of maintenance: As mentioned earlier, the Highways Agency is responsible for maintaining roads and advising drivers. Failing to do this means drivers don’t have as much protection.
Common injuries
The injuries you might suffer in a car accident caused by ice or snow vary, depending on the severity and circumstances surrounding the incident. However, common injuries include:
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Whiplash injuries: People with severe whiplash have months of recovery ahead of them, and it can also cause spinal inflammation.
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Broken bones: Car accidents can cause simple fractures or more severe injuries.
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Back and shoulder injuries: Along with whiplash, spinal and shoulder injuries are common.
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Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries can cause long-term damage, and some people require constant care.
Making ice and snow accident claims
Claiming compensation for your accident can help you recover financially and get the support you deserve. However, proving negligence is critical to ensuring these claims are successful. They’re one of the trickier cases to argue, but an experienced solicitor will help support you.
The first step in your claim should be to call 0800 234 6438 and seek advice from a legal specialist. Once they know more about your case, they’ll connect you with a personal injury claims service.
Working with a no win no fee solicitor
Most people prefer to claim compensation with a no win no fee lawyer, as there are zero financial risks. Traditional solicitors charge an hourly fee, meaning you’ll have to budget for the service, and there’s no guarantee they’ll win the case for you.
No win no fee solicitors don’t charge any upfront fees, which means you can access their services and only pay them if you receive a cash settlement.
Determining negligence
This is the most complex part of the process, as ice and snow car accident claims are challenging to prove. However, your solicitor will look at numerous factors to prove negligence by another road user or the local authorities.
Road users
All road users are responsible for following the Highway Code and protecting other people at all times. Failing to do this means they’re liable if there’s an accident. For example, you can make a claim if you’re rear-ended by another driver who wasn’t paying attention.
Local authority negligence
The Highway Agency is responsible for keeping roads free of hazards and ensuring drivers are safe. If they fail to clear or effectively grit the road and it leads to an accident, you can make a personal injury claim.
Calculating an award
Your solicitor will consider numerous factors when calculating your award, including the degree of negligence and the extent of your injuries. No snow and ice car accident is the same, depending on what your medical records reveal.
Once your solicitor knows what you’re entitled to, they’ll put your case forward to the negligent party’s insurance provider, and negotiations will begin.
Negotiations
During the negotiations, the insurance company will most likely want to see evidence of your injuries and how they impact your life, so you’ll probably have to attend a medical assessment.
There’s no saying how long the negotiations will take, as it depends on how receptive the negligent party is and whether they’re willing to accept responsibility.
Reaching a settlement
Once you and your solicitor agree to compensation, you’ll receive the settlement, and the case will close. The lawyer will take their fees from the award, and you can move on with your life.
Should I gather evidence to support my ice or snow accident claim?
It’s always a good idea to gather any evidence you can, but only if it doesn’t endanger you. Your solicitor will also work to secure CCTV footage or ask witnesses for access to their dashcams, but you can solidify your case by collecting evidence when the accident occurs.
Common forms of evidence include:
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Asking witnesses for their contact details helps your lawyer put a case together.
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Taking photographs of the road to prove icy and snowy conditions can help you prove negligence against the local authority.
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Documenting any damage to your vehicle and the repairs required.
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Going to the hospital or your local GP to verify your injuries and receive treatment for them.
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Documenting any travel or care expenses, including losses of earnings.
Doing all of the above can significantly speed up your snow and ice accident claim, as it highlights the validity of your case.
How much compensation will I receive?
Your compensation amount depends on the severity of the road accident and the extent of your injuries. Special damages are also factors in snow and ice car accident claims, including losses of earnings, psychological injuries, travel costs and medical expenses.
While there’s no set compensation amount, the following ballpark figures will give you an idea of what you might be able to claim:
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Rib fractures and minor soft tissue injuries: £3,950
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Minor to moderate back injuries: £7,980 to £38,780
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Minor to severe leg injuries: £17,960 to £54,830
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Shoulder injuries: Up to £12,770
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Wrist and arm injuries: £6,610 to £24,500
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Moderate to serious neck injuries: £24,990 to £130,930
Your solicitor will be able to discuss how much compensation you might receive for a snow or ice accident.
Claim for ice and snow accidents today
Claiming compensation can help you recover from your accident financially and hold those responsible accountable for your injuries and suffering. The process can be drawn out and complex, but receiving compensation relieves the financial burden of being unable to work and handling private care costs.
If you’d like to seek legal advice, please fill in the online form today, and you’ll receive a free callback. Alternatively, you can phone 0800 234 6438 and receive support immediately.
How long do I have to make a claim?
You have up to three years from the date of your accident to make a claim. However, it’s best to do it immediately, as the process can take a while to settle, depending on whether the negligent party is willing to accept responsibility.
Who can make snow and ice accident claims?
If your spouse died in an accident or cannot claim compensation themselves, you can do so on their behalf. Parents can also claim for children, but it’s also possible for a child to claim up to three years after the date they turn 18.
How long do compensation claims usually take?
It depends on whether your lawyer has enough evidence to prove negligence immediately or if they need to do some digging. Some cases settle relatively quickly, while others can take longer – especially if the case goes to court.
Your solicitor will keep you informed throughout the process, and you can instruct them on what you’d like to do.
