Accident Claim Solicitor
New Year, Not Necessarily New Cheer
After such a turbulent 2008 and a busy festive period, the New Year is a chance to start afresh. However, the beginning of the year, with cold snaps and dark days mean that companies such as 1stClaims are still busy helping people who have been injured through accidents that are no fault of their own.
"The New Year tends to be a very busy time of year for us," says 1stClaims Managing Director and former Accident Claim Solicitor Nicholas Jervis. "The cold weather brings a rash of trip, slip and falls due to untreated icy surfaces, and there are far more car accidents due to icy and wet roads and the long dark days. As much as we would like to see everyone having a positive start to the New Year at this time of year, we’re prepared for any eventuality."
With many people travelling back from seeing friends over the festive period, and others starting their usual work journeys again, road traffic accident statistics show a rise in the numbers of incidences on the road during the winter months. A combination of poor weather conditions, icy roads and often poorly maintained vehicles can be a dangerous cocktail. "We do tend to notice an increase in the number of traffic accident claims at this time of year such as whiplash injuries from vehicles colliding on icy roads," says Nicholas. "When you're hoping for a positive start to the New Year an accident can have major repercussions, not just on the victim but on the entire family too," he adds.
One of the biggest problems at this time of year is the alcohol factor. "Many people have their annual parties in January and are far more relaxed after they’ve had a drink, and that’s when accidents are most likely to happen," says Nicholas. Even if a driver isn't over the legal alcohol limit to drive, just one glass of wine can affect reaction times and concentration. This leads to higher instances of minor road traffic accidents caused by speeding which can result in innocent parties facing pain and time away from the work at a time of year when they want to be making an impression.
However, Nicholas and the team at 1stClaims believe that a little care and thought can help to prevent unnecessary accidents, particularly on the road. "It's a case of remembering that the Winter months are just like any other time of year, but with added complications," he states. "Footpaths and pavements are likely to be slippery, as although the Highways Agency do a fantastic job trying to keep our roads safe during cold spells, the likelihood of a trip or slip on icy surfaces is much higher at this time of year."
Accidents at work during the often bleak New Year are also still something that people need to consider before heading home for the break. "Everyone is tired after a long break, and the worry about the economy generally means that there can be lapses of concentration in work environments that can in turn lead to injuries to colleagues," adds Nicholas. "If someone is unfortunate enough to have an accident at this time of year, we do everything in our power to minimize the effects of that accident and help people to get back on their feet and back to work as quickly as possible," he says.
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