In this article we look at RTA head injury claims and the impact of speed.
Road Safety Week 2023 focused on raising awareness of the impact of speed. Many councils have taken steps to adopt a 20 mph speed limit in zones previously defaulted to 30 mph. The Welsh Government passed a law in 2022 introducing a 20 mph default speed limit with the aim of increasing road safety in residential areas.
Unsurprisingly, statistics and research show that the greater the speed of a vehicle, the greater the risk of severe injury.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states that:
- Hit by a car at 40 mph, nine out of ten pedestrians will be killed.
- Hit by a car at 30 mph, about half of pedestrians will be killed.
- Hit by a car at 20 mph, nine out of ten pedestrians will survive.
It is agreed amongst organisations such The RAC Foundation and the Association of British Drivers that speed is a contributing factor in approximately 30% of RTAs. This is supported by statistics compiled from police reporting of road traffic accidents.
The skull is formed in a way to protect the brain, as best it can, from impact trauma. What it is unable to do is prevent the brain from moving within the skull. During the impact of a road accident, the brain is susceptible to damage as a result of the high velocity movement, and this can in turn have catastrophic consequences for the victim. The faster the vehicle is traveling, the greater the impact during the collision and severity of the brain injury suffered.
We understand that it can be difficult to navigate a compensation claim following an accident that impacts upon the brain. Victims may require a ‘litigation friend’ to be appointed to assist them with the case and ensure that their best interests are at the forefront of all decisions made. Our experienced specialist lawyers are able to guide families through the legal process and to help you recover everything that you are entitled to.