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News & Cases
Welcome to our blog which includes news information and case studies which we think may be of interest to our clients and visitors to our web-site.
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Young drivers are one group of motorists at significant risk of being involved in a road accident. Research conducted by Norwich Union Insurance claims that young drivers are actually getting worse and that in the last five years there has been a 300% increase in claims from drivers under 23 years old, compared to a fall of 10% in claims from drivers over 23.
Lack of experience, over confidence and excessive speed are factors which often contribute to teenage car accidents. In addition new research from the USA has found that a teen driver's risk of being involved in a collision is substantially increased if they also have teen passengers due to the increased risk of driver distraction.
Among teens who said they were distracted by something inside the vehicle before they crashed, 71% of male teenage drivers said that the distractions came from their teenage passengers in the car. Among female teen drivers, 47% said that the distractions came from teenage passengers.
Additionally, the researchers found males with passengers were almost six times more likely to perform an illegal manoeuvre and more than twice as likely to drive aggressively just before a crash, as compared to males driving alone. However, females rarely drove aggressively prior to a crash, regardless of whether they had passengers in the car, although passengers still posed a risk of distraction.
Will reducing teen passengers reduce teen motor accidents?
Teen passengers can intentionally and unintentionally encourage unsafe driving. Because it can be difficult for new drivers to navigate the rules of the road and manage passengers, it's best to keep the number of passengers to a minimum for the first year.
The Association of British Insurers, which represents Britain’s motor insurers, feel that in the UK tougher new laws should be introduced to reduce teenage road accidents. These proposals include a zero alcohol limit for young drivers and a ban on their driving between 11pm and 4am to improve road safety.
The group also wants there to be a minimum one-year learning period before taking the driving test and says all new drivers should hold a graduated driving licence for two years, at the end of which they should be required to pass a second test to ensure that they are safe to drive on all types of road.
The graduated driving licence would also contain restrictions on the number of passengers that could be carried which reflects the significantly increased accident risk when other people are in the car.
As accidents caused by young drivers have increased significantly in recent years it would seem appropriate for new safety measures - such as restricting passengers - to be introduced. The question is could such measures be effectively enforced?
Please tell us what you think
Are teenage driver or the parent of a teenage driver? Have you been involved in a road accident with a teenage driver? Do you think the rules relating to young drivers need to be changed? We would like to know your views.
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The Claimant tripped over the protruding feet of the display stand and fell sustaining a blow to her head, a severe laceration to her ear, severe bruising to her face, a strain to her wrist and severe bruising to both knees.
Personal injury solicitor Donna Beckett visited the client at home for a free home visit and provided advice about making a claim. The client's husband had taken photographs of the display stand and these were very useful in assessing the case. Beckett & Co made a no win - no fee personal injury claim against Marks & Spencer on the grounds that the display stand was a tripping hazard for shoppers. Medical evidence was obtained confirming the extent of the injuries sustained.
Insurers acting for Marks & Spencer initially denied all liability for the accident. However, personal injury solicitor Donna Beckett carried out a thorough review of the evidence and pursued matters further which led to the insurers agreeing settlement of the claim. The Claimant received 100% of the compensation.
Supermarkets have a duty to take steps to ensure that customers are safe when using the store. This means that the supermarket owners must be aware of and avoid any tripping or slipping hazards which may result in injury to shoppers or staff. Any customer or member of staff injured in a supermarket accident should contact us for advice about making a claim for personal injury compensation.
Supermarket trip accident? We are here to help.
If you have been injured in a supermarket accident contact us for free no obligation advice. We are happy to discuss your case by phone or in a free meeting and free home visits are available.
To speak to a personal injury solicitor about your claim call us on freephone 0800 731 5434 or if you prefer you can request a free call back and we will contact you. Or start your claim on-line by clicking here.
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The accident occurred as the customer was walking towards the exit of the store. The area was wet with rain water which had been walked in on the feet of shoppers and which had blown in through the supermarket doors. No warning signs were in place and the customer slipped on the wet floor and fell sustaining a serious fracture to her wrist.
Beckett & Co Solicitors were instructed to make a personal injury compensation claim on behalf of the injured customer. A no win - no fee supermarket slipping claim was made against the supermarket on the grounds that the shop had failed to ensure that the premises were safe for shoppers by allowing the floor to become wet and slippery and failing to provide any warnings that the floor was wet.
The supermarket insurers denied any liability for the accident claiming that the floor had been treated with a special anti-slip coating to prevent the floor from becoming slippery when wet. The supermarket also claimed that warning signs had been in place at the time of the accident.
Beckett & Co undertook an investigation of the claim and obtained evidence to support the claim including statements from witnesses who confirmed that warning signs had been only been placed after the accident. Enquiries were also made with the local environmental health officer who confirmed that an investigation into a previous slipping accident at the same store had found that the floor was frequently wet near the entrance area and the mats at the entrance were inadequate. The supermarket had been advised to replace the existing door mats with larger mats to prevent the store floor from becoming wet. The supermarket did not change the door mats but instead had the floor treated with an anti-slip coating. However, the floor treatment applied did not actually prevent the floor from becoming slippery when wet.
Beckett & Co Solicitors commenced court proceedings against the supermarket in respect of the customer's slipping accident and the supermarket insurers subsequently made an offer to settle the claim. Initial offers to settle were rejected but following negotiations carried out by personal injury solicitor Donna Beckett the claim was settled for £14,000.00. The customer received 100% of the compensation as Beckett & Co's fees were paid by the supermarket insurers in addition to the compensation.
Contact us - we are here to help
If you have been injured in a supermarket slipping accident contact us for a free discussion about making a personal injury claim. Wen offer free, no obligation advice by phone or a free meeting. Free home visits are also available. To speak to Donna Beckett about making a supermarket accident claim call us freephone 0800 731 5434 or click here to request a free call back and Donna will call you back to discuss your case completely free of charge.
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With many children about to start their half term holidays drivers should be aware that more child pedestrians may be out and about in the coming week and therefore extra care may be needed to avoid child road accidents.
Despite the fact that statistics show that British roads are amongst the safest in Europe children are among the most vulnerable of road users and thousands of children are knocked down on UK roads every year. Collisions between cars and children usually result in severe injuries being sustained by the child. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) reports that over 60 child pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every week.
Drivers should be aware of danger to child pedestrians
Drivers should be aware that children do not have the same 'road sense' that an adult or driver has. Children are often unable to judge the speed and intentions of approaching drivers. Children are also easily distracted and often run into the road without checking for traffic. Many road accidents involving children occur when a child steps out into the road from between parked vehicles.
Many drivers involved in a collision with a child will argue that they were unable to take any action to avoid the accident. However, there are a number of precautions that drivers can take to reduce the possibility of a child pedestrian accident and the courts will criticise and hold liable any driver who has failed to take all appropriate steps to avoid a collision.
Precautions to avoid child road accidents
Reduce your speed - it is important that drivers keep within the speed limit and drive at a speed that is safe and appropriate for the road conditions. In many cases this means driving at a speed below the legal limit - for example where there are potential hazards such as parked vehicles, road works, or proximity to a school or pedestrian crossing.
Take care when driving near schools, playgrounds etc - when driving in any area where the presence of children could be expected extra care should be taken. Drivers should remember that children may be hard to see and therefore drivers should ensure that they are keeping a proper look out at all times for children in the area.
Be prepared for the unexpected! Remember that children may suddenly step into the road without warning. Whenever children are in the area drivers should reduce their speed and be prepared to stop if a child steps into the road.
Take extra care at pedestrian crossings. You should stop at zebra crossings if a person is waiting to cross. Drivers must also stop for School Crossing Patrols. ROSPA also recommends that drivers should never wave a pedestrian across the road as there may be traffic overtaking from behind you.
Free legal advice following a child pedestrian accident
When a child is injured in a road accident the liability for the accident may not be straight forward. It is therefore important that expert legal advice is obtained. Beckett & Co Solicitors offer free advice to the injured victims of road accidents including drivers and pedestrians. If you or your child have been injured in a road accident call us for free, no obligation advice about making a personal injury compensation claim.
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With weather forecasters today suggesting that temperatures could reach -10 degrees ice and snow on the roads is likely to remain a hazard for drivers for the immediate future.
Icy roads cause difficult driving conditions that often lead to an increase in road accidents. However, by taking a few extra precautions many winter road accidents can be avoided. The Driving Standards Agency and the Highway Code rules 229, 230 & 231 provide information about driving in icy conditions and drivers should consider the following points when making any journey when the roads are affected by ice and snow:
Clear away ice and snow: By law you must be able to see clearly therefore it is important that all snow and ice is removed from your vehicle windscreen, windows and mirrors. You should also remove any snow that may fall from your vehicle into the path of another road user.
Keep informed: Check local road information bulletins and take note of road, weather and traffic conditions and make sure that your planned route is open and free from delays.
Check the road conditions: Drivers should remember that the local authority has no duty to prevent ice from forming on the roads and therefore every driver must satisfy themselves as to the road conditions when driving in freezing temperatures. Check your grip on the road surface when there is snow or ice by choosing a safe place to brake gently.
Keep your distance. Vehicle stopping distances on icy roads can be 10 times greater than in dry conditions. Take your time! Always allow more time for a journey in icy conditions.
Slow down. Generally drivers should drive at much lower speeds and remember to brake and accelerate gently on icy roads to avoid losing control of their vehicle.
Take care when overtaking vehicles spreading salt or de-icer, particularly if you're on a motorcycle or cycle.
Be prepared. Depending on the length of journey consider taking an emergency kit in case you get stuck or your vehicle breaks down.
Taking extra precautions will help to keep you safe when driving in difficult conditions. However, accidents on icy roads are common and if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a road accident you should contact a personal injury solicitor for advice.
Added 07.02.12
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The High Court has heard evidence in a case relating to a road accident between a Range Rover and a child in Preston *.
At the time of the accident the child was aged 7 years. The accident occurred in daylight as the child, Anisa Rehman, was crossing Acregate Lane, Preston close to her home. The vehicle driver, Mr Brady, gave a statement that he was driving towards New Hall Lane and due to the presence of parked cars on both sides of the road he slowed to between 20 and 30mph. Mr Brady stated that as he drew level with a parked transit van a small girl ran out from behind the parked van directly in front of his vehicle. Despite emergency braking he was unable to avoid a collision. The child was hit by the Range Rover and suffered serious injuries including serious head injuries.
A claim for personal injury compensation was brought by the child's parent against Mr Brady's insurers who denied that Mr Brady was responsible for the accident.
After considering evidence from road traffic accident reconstruction experts the court found that at the time of the collision Mr Brady was driving at between 28 and 32 mph. The road speed limit was 20mph and there were traffic calming measures in place. In view of the nature of the road, the presence of parked vehicles and road works on the road the judge found that despite the 20 mph speed limit a reasonable speed in the circumstances would have been 15mph. It was held that if the Range Rover was travelling at a lower speed the accident could have been avoided and therefore the judge held Mr Brady liable for the accident.
The insurers then argued 'contributory negligence' on the part of the child - i.e. that the child ought to have been aware that it was unsafe to cross when she did and therefore she ought to be held 20 - 25% to blame for the accident. However, the judge disagreed that the child was partly to blame on the basis that if the Range Rover had been driven at the speed limit of 20 mph at the point when the child stepped into the road the accident would not have happened as the child would have safely reached the other side of the road before a collision could occur.
The driver was held 100% to blame for the accident and the insurers obliged to compensate the child in full.
Expert legal advice for injured pedestrians
Children are among the most vulnerable road users and child pedestrian accidents are common and often lead to serious injuries. Liability in pedestrian accidents is not always straightforward and the speed of the vehicle is usually an important factor in deciding liability in such cases.
If you or your child have been injured in a pedestrian road accident you should obtain advice from a personal injury solicitor to find out if a claim for compensation can be made.
(* Case ref: A Rehman v Estate of J G Brady QBD 25.01.12)
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Suffolk County Council has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws following accidents at two schools. The first accident occurred on 11.10.09 when a nine year old pupil at Burton End Primary School, fell from a climbing frame in the school grounds. The child fell over 1.5 metres from the climbing frame onto concrete slabs below. He suffered a fractured skull, a bleed into his brain and was temporarily blinded. The injured child was unable to return to full time schooling for 10 weeks.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found Suffolk County Council had failed to provide an impact absorbing surface under the climbing frame and it had failed to provide the school with enough information to ensure pupils could play on the climbing frame safely.
A second HSE investigation followed a school IT technician’s fall while he was taking down a screen at the back of a stage at Farlingaye High School on 21 October 2009.
Paul Rudland shattered his arm when he fell about 4m from a temporary aluminium platform which was being pushed along while he was on the top of it.
HSE’s investigation found that the council had not provided adequate training to its employees and had failed to monitor working at height in schools.
Three further breaches of health and safety laws related to council highway department employees who, after working with vibrating machinery for several years, had developed injuries including hand arm vibration syndrome. The council admitted failing to properly assess the risk from working with the equipment and exposing its workers to harm.
The council was fined a total of £48,000 and ordered to pay costs totalling £43,772. The injured child and council employees are also entitled to make separate personal injury claims in respect of the injuries sustained.
Free advice about making a personal injury claim
If your child has been injured in an accident at school or you have been injured in an accident at work or sustained an injury due to unsafe working practices contact us for advice about a claim for personal injury compensation. We work on a no win - no fee and our clients keep 100% of their compensation as standard.
Contact us on freephone 0800 731 5434 or start your claim on-line.
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The 'rear end shunt' is one of the most common types of road accident and one which frequently causes injury giving rise to a claim for personal injury compensation. There is a general assumption that liability for such an accident rests with the rear driver and however in a recent case the Court of Appeal found that both the front and rear drivers were partly to blame for causing a rear end shunt accident.
In the case of Ali v D'Brass involved a collision which occurred when a transit van collided with the rear of a BMW. The driver of the BMW sustained personal injury and made a compensation claim against the driver of the van. The case was heard at court and the judge decided that the accident had occurred when the BMW driver had braked suddenly without warning and without good reason. In the circumstances the judge held the front driver completely responsible for the accident. The BMW driver appealed against the judge's decision.
The Court of Appeal decided that it was the rear van driver who was mainly responsible for the accident as the accident would not have occurred if he had left sufficient stopping distance between his van and the vehicle in front. The rear van driver was held to be 60% to blame for the accident. The front driver was found to be partly to blame for the accident because he had braked sharply without good reason. The front BMW driver was held 40% to blame for the accident.
The need for expert advice from a personal injury solicitor following a road traffic accident
This case highlights the fact that even in apparently straightforward road accident cases liability can be disputed and it is therefore essential that expert advice is obtained from a personal injury solicitor after any road traffic accident.
If you have been involved in a motor accident contact us for free, no obligation advice on freephone 0800 731 5434 or submit an on-line enquiry to obtain free advice about making a road accident claim.
Added 17.01.12
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The owner of a Blackpool double-glazing firm has pleaded guilty to breaking health & safety at work laws after a 68 year old employee sustained serious injuries in a fall from a ladder at work.The injured worker suffered multiple injuries and has been unable to return to work since the accident in April 2011.
The worker fell almost 5 metres after falling from a ladder whilst working for Direct Window Co. An investigation into the accident by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the worker had been allowed to work alone without anyone 'footing' the ladder to prevent it falling.
The owner of Direct Window Co, Craig Goss, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and pleaded guilty to a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by failing to ensure the work was properly planned, adequately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. Blackpool Magistrates’ Court was fined Mr Goss £8,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in prosecution costs on 23 November 2011 in respect of the breaches.
The HSE has confirmed that last year 38 workers were killed and more than 4,000 suffered major injuries in falls at work. Falls from height account for a high proportion of serious injuries sustained in accidents at work.
Contact us for free advice about making an accident at work claim following a fall at work
If you have been injured in an accident at work involving a fall from height or fall from ladders we can help you to make a no win - no fee claim for compensation for injury and any financial losses, such as loss of earnings, that you have incurred. Our clients keep 100% of their compensation as standard. We are happy to provide free, no obligation advice about an accident at work claim by phone or free meeting and free home visits are available anywhere in Lancashire. Contact us to discuss your claim today.
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Every year thousands of people are injured in accidents that are not their fault and in many of these cases the injured person in entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation. If you have been unfortunate enough to be injured in a non-fault accident you may be considering making a claim for compensation. Being involved in an accident can be a traumatic experience and in the days after the accident it is likely that your main priority will be your recovery.
However, obtaining advice from a personal injury solicitor at an early stage after an accident can be beneficial and can help any later personal injury claim progress more smoothly. Whilst it is possible to obtain telephone advice about an accident claim many people prefer to discuss their claim face to face but in the days after your accident you may find it difficult or inconvenient to attend a meeting at a solicitor’s office. In such circumstances a free home visit from a personal injury solicitor is the answer.
At Beckett & Co Solicitors we pride ourselves on providing a personal service to our clients and therefore we are happy to arrange a free home visit for any client living in the Lancashire area.
Not all personal injury home visits are the same …
Many firms advertise personal injury services and some offer home visits to accident victims. However, not all home visit services are the same.
Unlike some firms we do not employ unqualified ‘representatives’ to visit you at home. Instead we arrange for your own personal injury solicitor to visit you at your home, completely free of charge, to discuss your accident and provide advice regarding any possible personal injury compensation claim. If you decide to proceed with your claim the same personal injury solicitor will handle your claim from start to finish. This allows you to build a real relationship of trust with your solicitor.
Unlike some firms we do not ask you to sign any agreements or paperwork during the home visit. If you are considering making a personal injury claim we are happy to offer a free home visit and discuss your claim without any obligation. We will not put any pressure on you to pursue a claim but provide straight forward, honest, independent, no obligation advice regarding any potential claim that could be made. We allow you time to decide if making a claim is the right decision for you. If you wish to proceed with a claim we will confirm our advice in writing and allow time for any paperwork to be considered properly before signature. There is a ‘cooling off period’ which allows any agreement with us to be cancelled.
Unlike some firms we do not limit free home visits to people who are too badly injured to meet at our office. We offer ALL clients a free home visit. The purpose of the home visit is to allow the claim to be discussed at your convenience. It is often quicker and more convenient for clients to obtain personal injury advice at a home visit than by making a trip to see us at our office. However, if you prefer to meet at our office an appointment can be made for you to visit us and of course, we are also happy to advise over the phone.
Unlike some firms we do not just offer free home visits to new clients.
We are happy to visit you at your home for your convenience at any stage during your personal injury claim. We understand that home visits are more convenient for our clients and that many people feel more comfortable discussing their accident claim in their own home. For this reason, if you wish to see your personal injury solicitor at any time during the course of your claim this can be arranged at your home, place of work or other place most convenient to you.
Contact us to arrange a free, no obligation accident claim home visit
If you have been injured in an accident at work, a road accident or a trip, slip or fall contact us for free, no obligation advice about a potential personal injury claim. We act on a no win – no fee basis and our clients keep 100% of their compensation as standard.
We are happy to discuss your claim by phone and, if you prefer to discuss your claim face to face, we will arrange a free meeting at your home, your place of work or our office – you decide!
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