Will icy conditions lead to an increase in accident claims

The recent wintery conditions has meant time off and fun in the snow for many adults and children across the UK, but the recent death of one girl and injuries to three others has highlighted the dangers that the recent snowy conditions bring with them.

Dr Charles Gutteridge, medical director of the Barts and The London NHS Trust, said: "We've seen a dramatic increase in people with simple strains and minor fractures of the ankle, elbow, forearm and shoulder."We haven't seen much major trauma. And I think that's because on the whole people are staying at home. The ones we have seen slipped while walking to work."

Dr Charles Guttering highlighted the point that many have suffered slips and falls but can anyone be held responsible, and in the next few months will there be an increased number of accident claims because of the snow fall back in February.

If you slip and injure yourself on an icy pavement then you may be able to make a claim but compensation is by no means guaranteed. You may be able to make a claim against the local authority for failing to properly maintain the pavement. This has become a grey area in the compensation world but if you feel that you may be eligible for compensation than talk to a personal injury lawyer as any reputable firm will be able to tell you if your claim is worth pursuing or not.

If however your ice related fall occurs on someone else's property then it is a lot simpler to make a claim. Slipping up on shop car parks or public access areas means that the owner of the area has a duty of care to minimise to risk of slipping. This situation is a lot simpler than dealing with a local authority and claims against private parties tend to be more successful.

The icy conditions have also caused more car accidents across the UK, Director of AA Insurance Simon Douglas stated: "I would strongly urge drivers to think twice before setting out on their journey where there are severe weather conditions." He added: "It's just not worth risking losing your no-claims bonus."

The icy conditions mean that the likely hood of cars skidding into the back of each other is a lot higher, this is the most common cause of whiplash injury. Sufferers from whiplash are eligible to make a claim against the driver who caused the crash and this is no different in icy conditions.

Icy conditions mean that drivers need to take far greater care on the roads, unfortunately proving that the driver was negligent is a lot harder as it can easily put down to unknown conditions.

So as the snow melts away the next couple of months could see a massive increase in the number of accident claims being made due to the week of ice and snow which nearly brought the UK to a standstill.