Must-knows for dealing with a car crash on the lively Liverpool streets this winter

Sarah Parker
Authored by Sarah Parker
Posted: Thursday, January 18, 2024 - 07:10

Riding on the Christmassy-lit streets of Rest Hill, Marsh Lane, or Red Hill Road must be an extremely delightful experience, all the more if you’re a driving buff in complete control of the wheel. Oxford Street is just as wonderful to stroll through, but it’s not the most exciting thing to put on your list if you’re into pushing the pedal. However, the busy streets in Liverpool that see more tourists compared to other times of the year are compelling drivers to treat this encounter more seriously than ever. It can be unimaginably easy to lose sight of your surroundings, get lost in the picture, and have your driving skills fail when you need them.

Regardless of the end of the spectrum you find yourself at when you witness an accident, it’s safe to say that this is the last thing you want when doing your business in Liverpool. However, it’s not rare to sustain an accident in the UK; statistics show that the number of fatal road crashes registered within the country rose by 10% last year compared to 2021, whereas grave injuries reported an 8% growth in figures. Therefore, one of the best ways to prepare yourself when journeying the streets of Liverpool during this busy time of the year is to know what follows after a colossal or minor car accident. Of course, we assume you’re paying increased attention to your driving behaviour, minimising distractions, and driving when you feel rested and in top shape.

Here are the essential insights you need to equip yourself with before hitting the road in Liverpool this winter.

All signs hint at roads getting busier and drivers needing increased attention

First, it’s crucial to make a difference between the Liverpool streets of 2021 that you may recall and the busier ones you’re encountering today. Jobs have increased considerably ever since, adding 37% to the share and seeing 35,060 people employed last year compared to 25,535 in 2021. This might be the first factor that weighs into the significantly livelier streets of Liverpool as more people rush to arrive at their jobs or leave home. Furthermore, the traffic is more intense thanks to more visitors journeying through the city or coming here for business. Compared to 2021, the number of visitors registered last year stood at around 37.1 million, recording a 34% increase.

The traffic in Liverpool today has intensified a lot compared to bygone days, mirroring the changes seen in other prominent counties and cities in the UK.

Uninsured colliders or hit-and-run accidents are commonplace

Hit-and-run accidents are more of a common occurrence than you may think. In the UK, it’s estimated that more than 10,000 accidents yearly involve a runaway driver. This type of crash ranks among the most difficult to examine and conclude, just as it is with uninsured drivers. Things don’t go as smoothly as when two drivers involved in an accident shake hands in the presence of the local police and exchange insurance numbers. Still, according to experts from https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/personal-injury-compensation/car-accident-claims, this won’t affect the compensation-claiming process for the victim.

As a party injured in a car collision due to the negligence and misbehaviour of other traffic participants, you have all the rights and chances of winning the somewhat deserved amount to cover your damages and expenses. However, for the procedures to be finalised quicker and the odds to be with you, here’s a rundown of the things you can do to help the process:

  • Gather evidence of your innocence
  • Take instant pictures and videos
  • Get witnesses’ numbers
  • Get CCTV footage.

What counts as a hit-and-run accident?

Suppose there are some misleading parts during the procedures in an accident’s aftermath. In that case, it is determining what is defined as a hit-and-run accident or runaway driver. Therefore, you must know that you and all the road participants are compelled by the law to stay where the crash occurred, and any other scenario involving your disappearance from the accident scene will be punished accordingly.

Fleeing the accident scene counts as a criminal offence, which can bring about penalty points, fines, disqualification from operating the vehicle, or imprisonment in the worst-case scenario. The innocent parts are not exempt from this rule, though they will be charged differently.

When should you report the mishap?

The police’s involvement should always offer you confidence and comfort. However, there are times when it can be tricky to determine when they should be contacted in the event of their slow apparition.

If no one sustains injuries, there are zero accusations of driving misdemeanours, and the driving victims share exchange details, the police don’t need to be notified. However, suppose anyone is injured, you don’t exchange numbers, or you have doubts or confusions, such as mistrusting who actually committed the accident, then the police must be contacted.  

You have 24 hours to report the collision and two ways of doing so, namely at a police station or online. Regardless of how the process unfolds, remember to notify your insurance company of the occurrence as well.

After-collision reporting demeanours

As soon as the crash is registered at the police station, your report gets analysed. You can expect to be contacted later if any other information is needed and missing from the submitted data. Examples include witness statements or presences at the court, but you can get help from a legal expert with all these procedures. However, it’s important to remember that this scheme doesn’t necessarily apply in cases of accidents without injuries sustained or any accusations of poor driving.

After the report is examined by the police, you may encounter one of the following situations:

  • The reporter remains uncontacted as the allegation remains unpursued
  • The reporter isn’t contacted, and actions are taken
  • The reporter gets reached if the case unfortunately goes to court.

Suppose you’re a victim of the accident and are encouraged to seek justice.

Getting involved in a car accident is as possible as it is devastating. If you’re sustaining injuries from such a mishap in the UK, you must remember that the law is on the victim’s side.

Making a claim implies contacting the insurer, offering them details about the accident, cooperating with them, reaching for an expert claimer when the situation feels over your head, and avoiding talking to outsiders. Almost everything is recoverable if you seek justice for yourself.