5 Things You Must Do If You’re Involved in a RTA

It wasn’t that long ago that UK roads were eerily quiet and a place where cyclists and runners appeared to outnumbered drivers. During successive national lockdowns the travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus meant that only the most essential of car journeys were permitted. However, as the remaining limitations on our collective movements are lifted this summer, as the road map out of full lockdown continues, our motoring lives will return to normal.

Roads across the country will once again witness that British institution, the traffic jam. Admittedly a much lesser spotted tradition over the past 18 months, yet very much a seasonal one during the summer.

And with travel to many popular European holiday hotspots still being limited and depending on ‘green list’ validation, increases in staycations will see routes to countless UK tourist destinations experience significant traffic flow. And subsequently, the inevitable snarl-ups.

Staycation-bound Summer Road Congestion Could Lead to Increase in Road Traffic Accidents

Throw in the odd bank holiday, a booming outdoor hospitality sector reopening (British weather permitting) and people now freer to get out and about much more, and it will come as little surprise to learn that road traffic accidents are forecast to surge once again.

For the record, this seemingly misplaced pessimism is rooted in stats, with one leading motor insurer drawing timely comparisons with RTA figures released in the direct aftermath of previous lockdowns being eased. According to NFU Mutual, road traffic accident claims received over the late May bank holiday in 2020 rose by some 22%, following on from a 12% increase over the Christmas before, in relation to the previous weeks’ statistics.

A couple of months back, a survey of 2,000 drivers carried out by the same insurer predicted that in the region of 12 million drivers were potentially planning to take to UK roads this summer, once Covid restrictions allowed.

Important Points to Remember If You’re Involved In an RTA

So, as our roads become more congested as scores of holidaymakers look to make their great British escapes, the unavoidable spectre of RTA’s will appear on the distant horizon for many. Although many road traffic accidents are found to have been actually avoidable, with responsible parties being later recognised and ultimately facing paying compensation to the victims in the aftermath of the claims process.

With that in mind, here’s a quick reminder of the 5 Very Important Things You Must Do If You’re Involved in an RTA This Summer:

1. Call the emergency services to report the incident and account for any casualties.
2. Give your details to other parties involved in the RTA.
3. Ensure that you obtain the details on other parties, including passengers and any independent witnesses.
4. Take photographic evidence of crash scene and damage to your vehicle.
5. Get in touch with your motor insurance company.

Of course, these are the fundamental processes – and in the correct order – that you should follow them in, if and when you’re unwittingly involved in a road traffic accident. At any time of the year, and in any location.

But it’s also imperative that you inform a personal injury claims management provider so as to quickly establish whether or not you might be able to claim for RTA compensation as a victim. We are very well versed in the road traffic accident claims management sector, having been operating in it for 18 years and counting. And consequently know all that you’ll ever need to know about the entire process.

So, give us a call today if you’ve been a victim of an RTA, or alternatively start your claims process here. While things may have changed a bit recently in regards to whiplash injuries, we can still support you to do it yourself, with a little help from the experts, by guiding you through the claims journey from the beginning to the end.