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So just earlier I covered the story of the plans to have more speed cameras on Britain’s roads. Although many are sceptical of the feasibility of such a project, the consequences of speeding and failing to adhere to legal limits (which are there for a reason of course) is evident.

According to a report from the Daily Mail (more), a speeding driver already serving a motoring ban attempted to ‘cover-up’ a high speed crash that left a passenger, one of his own closest friends, fatally injured. Stephen Helm (27) was reportedly going more than twice the 30mph speed limit when he failed to negotiate a left turn due to his excessive speed, and subsequently colliding through railings at the roadside. When he realised he could not save his passenger and friend 20 year old Stephen Ball, he and the remaining passengers left him in the wreckage only to later return and set fire to the vehicle in an attempt to erase any evidence of his presence.
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This may be a reality according to sources from the Telegraph (sourcel).

The Sustainable Development Commission has called for average speed check cameras (the kind you often see on motorways when road works are ongoing) to be used on all of Britain’s motorways in efforts to reduce our carbon emissions and to improve safety. According to the Commission, figures from the Department for Transport indicate that the 70mph speed limit on motorways is ignored by more than half of road users – 52% to be precise.

The Commission has highlighted that the introduction of the cameras would encourage smoother, more environmentally friendly driving. Ministers have advised that where average check speed cameras have been introduced, both accidents and the number of speeding fines have been reduced. According to the report, there are currently 10 permanent sets of average speed check cameras currently operational in Britain.
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It’s a very common question we here at The Injury Lawyers hear – and unfortunately it’s one we can’t give you a direct answer to! What we can do is give you the right advice and even a rough guide as to how much you are entitled to, however.

So to start with… how do we as independent expert personal injury solicitors value your claim for compensation? Generally speaking, the worse you suffer and the longer you suffer for are directly proportional to receiving more compensation. The extent of your suffering is the primary factor taken in to account. So how do we find this out…
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Recalls are not uncommon today; although usually manufactures put their products through stringent testing to ensure nothing can go wrong, there are occasions when something important is missed. So how about sticking accelerator pedals – that important enough for you?

According to sources form the BBC (source) Toyota has announced another recall on top of its already growing list, after it has been found that certain models pedal mechanism is becoming warn; sometimes to the extent of the pedal  getting stuck! So far the recall has only been announced in the US, and it is currently unknown if any other countries have been affected.

According to the report, the models affected include 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2009-2010 Corolla, the 2009-2010 Matrix, the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2007-2010 Camry, the 2010 Highlander, the 2007-2010 Tundra, and the 2008-2010 Sequioia.  
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According to sources from the BBC (source) the volume of errors the NHS are making in drug treatments for minors is hospitals is, rather disturbingly, high, experts have warned.

According to the report, a University of London study of five hospitals in the capital concluded that 13% of 3000 prescriptions examined had were subject to errors. More worryingly, a fifth of these drugs given to children in 2004 and 2005 were “administered incorrectly”. Most errors were deemed to be non-harmful, however a small number were potentially fatal according to the Archives of Diseases in Childhood reports.
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Generally when it comes to a victim claiming for compensation, the damages (money) awarded is generated from the offending party or their representatives; which is usually the insurers for the third party defendant. So what happens when it isn’t possible to claim against the offenders? Say for example, in terror attacks abroad?

Current legislation allows victims of terrorist attacks who are injured in the UK access to compensation, but up until recently  many victims of terror attacks abroad have been unable to claim unless they are a part of a scheme in that country. According to the BBC (source) long awaited new legislation has been announced that now allows for victims of terrorist attacks abroad to access the compensation they require.

Although the measures are reportedly not retrospective, they will allow for victims as far back as 2002 to make a claim. Current campaigns relevant to this factor include the Bali attacks back in 2002, the Sharm al-Sheikh incident in 2005, and more recently the attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
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What should you do now? If you have been injured in an accident, particularly a road traffic accident, you may just be about to be hailed with offers left right and centre from companies who want to deal with your claim! And with so many lawyers out there, what should you do!!??

Well, we here at The Injury Lawyers like to do one thing for people out there who are thinking of claiming; give you free, honest, no obligation advice! So here’s some now:

No Win No Fee and 100% Compensation – How it Works….
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The government has issued a formal apology to the victims of the thalidomide scandal in respite efforts following the harrowing affects the drug has had on the victims, according to the BBC (source).

Health minister Mike O’Brien on behalf of the government expressed “sincere regret” and “deep sympathy” to the hundreds of victims of the German developed drug which was used in the 1950’s and 60’s to help pregnant women with insomnia and morning sickness.

It was quite a big story in the last contrary so I am sure many of you are aware of the devastating effects the drug’s use had on the children born from mothers using the drug. Hundreds of children were born with severe limb deformities and internal damage, and the government has promised more money to be made available to the remaining 466 survivors.  Mr O’Brien went on to say that the government acknowledges “physical hardship and the emotional difficulties that have faced both the children affected and their families as a result of this drug, and the challenges that many continue to endure often on a daily basis.”
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As I am sure you are aware, we have authored a few articles over the last few weeks on the weather and discussed some useful driving advice in these times of perilous motor conditions! But not all drivers out there appear to be taking heed of the safety warnings and advice that have been plastered all over the news in recent weeks!

According to sources form the Daily Mail (source) police were gobsmacked as they witnessed an elderly motorist driving through the snow with only a small peephole to look out from! Her vehicle was so covered in snow it resembled a frosted topped desert!

The motorist was spotted and pulled over by police driving in hazardous icy conditions with a thick layer of snow and ice covering the majority of the windscreen of her blue Nissan; attending traffic officers kindly provided the elderly lady, whom had nipped out to purchase some food, with an ice scraper! Nearby pedestrians were stunned as they watched her struggle to see out of the small peephole in the windscreen, and the images taken by Devon Police are now being used to remind drivers to use common sense and clear their vehicles of snow and ice before travelling.
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We all like a good drink every now and then – and we all know the increasing safety concerns over Britain’s drinking habits that have hit the news over the last few years. And alcohol can often play a major part of a claim for compensation.

In fact, the BBC has authored a few articles recently on the issue. According to one report (source), the Conservative Party has called for a complete revamp on alcohol labelling. The centre-right party have stated that confusion is evident from the use of the term “units” on labelling; they are calling for more specific descriptions in line with most of Europe in an effort to encourage safer drinking.

The Tories (Conservatives) have suggested labelling should detail “centilitres of pure alcohol” and perhaps have a more specific breakdown of the contents, including calorie intake information. Reportedly research has shown only just over half of alcoholic beverages labels adopt the voluntary code of units contained within the drink; despite industry moves to improve compliance. The proposals come as part of the Conservatives new public health strategy, amid claims that the rising levels of alcohol abuse now include the figure that 1 in 10 people are classed as hazardous drinkers; a startling statistic!
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