Watch out for pedestrians
With the possible exception of motorways or dual carriageways it is possible to encounter pedestrians on any type of road you drive along.
Perhaps a child rushes out from behind a parked car on their way home from school, or someone is just strolling along the side of 'A' road because their car has run out of petrol - they can appear pretty much anywhere.
It is impossible for anyone to anticipate every possible situation when they are out on the road, but there are many where you can expect people to be around and should take care to watch out for them.
In towns and cities
This is the most obvious place you are likely to encounter pedestrians. In busy towns and cities there are likely to be people milling around all the time. You should be acutely aware of their presence, and the possibility that that they may wander out in front of you.In bustling towns and cities you should always keep to the speed limit and ideally stay well below it. Hitting a pedestrian at 40mph is much more likely to result in a fatal injury than it is at 30mph - and below 30mph even less so.
What to watch out for:-
- People talking on mobile phones. If someone is having an engrossing conversation on their phone then their attention may not be fully on where they are walking, they may well be looking ahead but that does not mean they are looking ahead!
- Texting or browsing on mobile phones. Sadly some people can barely go five minutes without checking their texts, emails or generally 'fiddling' with these devices
- Listening to music. Once again if someone has a pair of earphones in then be aware that they may not be paying attention and they also can't hear the sound of your car
- Children and teenagers particularly around school arrival and leaving times are more likely to be focussed on chatting to their friends or messing about rather than keeping an eye on the approaching traffic
- Senior citizens. Bear in mind that members of the older generation may not be able to see or hear as well as the rest of us. They also may not move as quickly as they once did
Villages and country roads
The slower pace of life in the country is what attracts many of us to choose to live there and many others just to visit.This can lull the unwary driver into a false sense of security, assuming that the roads, lanes and villages are likely to be free of pedestrians, this is not the case.
In addition to the activities of the pedestrians described above, you should watch out for these people too.
- Walkers and hikers. On winding country roads you may encounter groups of hikers or walkers in the road - and they may not have seen you. The highway code states that if there is no pavement or pathway then pedestrians should always face the direction of traffic, but not everyone follows this
- Dog walkers. Once again you may not find much in the way of pavements in and around small country villages and so people out walking their dogs in the road are quite possible
- People leading horses. You will often come across people leading inexperienced or young children on horses in the country. Always slow right down and pass slowly when it's well clear ahead
If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a compensation claim. Please give us a call on 02392 484 244 , and we will be happy to assist you.
No need to claim on your insurance
Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
No excess to pay
Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle
Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs
If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Legal Assistance
Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.
They issues they can assist you with include:
They issues they can assist you with include:
- Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
- Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
- Recovery of all repair costs
- Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
- Seeking financial compensation for an injury
