A car accident on ice can be a terrifying experience with extreme consequences. But, no matter how minor or major your injuries are, if your injuries were someone else’s fault, you may be eligible for compensation.
In this guide, we’ll discuss when you could make a claim for a car accident on ice or snow, and how ice could be a contributing factor. We’ll also explore personal injury compensation, what it could be made up of, and how it’s calculated.
Finally, we’ll look into the benefits of working with a solicitor under a No Win No Fee arrangement. While you aren’t obligated to work with a legal professional, it can make the road traffic accident claims process feel less stressful.
Contact Our Team
Our advisors are here to help. If you have any more questions about the claims process, contact our team today by:
- Calling us on 0800 408 7825
- Using the live chat feature
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Browse Our Guide
- Claiming For Injuries After A Car Accident On Ice
- How Could A Car Accident On Ice Happen?
- Evidence That Could be Used In A Car Accident Due To Ice
- How Much Compensation Could You Receive From A Black Ice Car Accident?
- Claim For A Car Accident On Ice On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Read More About Claiming Car Crash Compensation
Claiming For Injuries After A Car Accident On Ice
Not every car accident caused by bad weather will result in a personal injury claim. This is because establishing negligence is key when making a claim. Under personal injury law, negligence occurs when:
- You are owed a duty of care
- This duty is breached
- You are injured as a result
All road users owe each other a duty of care. This means that they need to comply with the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code and avoid causing harm or damage to themselves and others.
If another driver breaches their duty of care, and this causes a crash that injures you, you may be able to claim compensation.
What Does The Highway Code Say About Icy Weather?
Rules 228 to 231 of the Highway Code cover driving in icy weather, providing rules and guidance for road users to follow in poor weather conditions or on icy roads. These include:
- Rule 229 states that you must be able to see, so all snow and ice must be removed from the windscreen and windows, and all lights must be clean, and licence plates must be visible
- Rule 230 states that you should drive with care, keep well back from the road user in front, and overtake with care
- Rule 231 states that you should drive extremely carefully in icy weather, and avoid sudden actions. Drive at a slow speed, and take extra care on bends.
To learn more about when you could claim for a car accident on ice, contact our team today.
How Could A Car Accident On Ice Happen?
Some examples of how a car accident could happen due to icy conditions could include:
- If another road user was driving over the speed limit in icy weather and lost control of the car, swerving into you and causing a severe head injury.
- Another road user fails to properly clear their windscreen of ice. As a result, they don’t see your car while overtaking, and cause a collision that results in multiple serious bone fractures and a broken pelvis.
- The car driving behind you fails to maintain an adequate stopping distance. When you stop at a red light, they skid on the ice and cause a rear-end collision that results in whiplash injuries.
In all of these examples, the negligent actions of another driver resulted in the claimant’s injuries, which means there is a possibility of a valid claim. To find out if you might be able to make a claim for a car accident on ice, contact our team today.
Evidence That Could be Used In A Car Accident Due To Ice
Since you can only claim for injuries caused by another road user’s duty of care, it’s important that you are able to prove that negligence occurred. Some examples of evidence that you could collect to help support your road traffic accident compensation claim include:
- Witness contact details to allow a professional to take their statements at a later date
- Photographs of either your injuries to demonstrate their severity, or the accident site to show how the accident occurred
- Medical records that illustrate your injuries and the treatment you will need
- If the accident was caught on a dashcham or CCTV system, you may be able to request the footage
If you choose to work with a personal injury solicitor on your claim, they can help you support your claim. For example, they could talk to witnesses and take their statements, or help in requesting footage of the accident.
To learn more about ice accident claims, or to find out if you could claim compensation for a car accident in poor weather conditions, get in touch today. An advisor from our team can evaluate your case for free, and could potentially connect you with a personal injury claims solicitor from our panel.
How Much Compensation Could You Receive From A Black Ice Car Accident?
Every successful personal injury claim results in general damages. This is one of two heads of compensation that you could receive following a car accident on ice.
General damages cover the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, as well as the effect that these injuries have on your daily life. For example, if you were a hobbyist pianist and suffered serious hand injuries that left you unable to play the piano, this could be covered under general damages.
Those valuing this head of claim may use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help with their calculations. This document contains guideline compensation brackets that align with a number of injuries in varying severities.
You can find some examples of these brackets below, but please note that the first entry is not taken from the JCG.
Guideline Compensation Brackets
| Injury | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries And Special Damages | Multiple severe injuries plus financial losses including lost earnings and the cost of mobility aids. | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Severe Brain Damage (a) | There is a constant need for professional care, and the claimant shows little to no response to any environmental surroundings. | £282,010 to £403,990 |
| Severe Neck Injuries (a) | Neck injuries that cause permanent spastic quadriparesis or incomplete paraplegia. | In the region of £148,330 |
| Chest Injuries (c) | Damage to the chest and lungs that cause continuing disability. | £31,310 to £54,830 |
| Moderate Back Injuries (b) (ii) | Disturbed ligaments and muscles that cause back pain, or severe soft tissue injuries that make previous conditions condition worse. | £12,510 to £27,760 |
| Less Serious Leg Injuries (c) (i) | Serious soft tissue injuries, or fractures that make an incomplete recovery. | £17,960 to £27,760 |
| Simple Forearm Fractures (c) | Simple fractures of the forearm. | £6,610 to £19,200 |
| Cheekbone Fractures (d) | Serious fractures that have lasting consequences and need surgery. | £10,200 to £15,780 |
| 1+ Whiplash Injuries & 1+ Psychological Injuries | With symptoms lasting 18-24 months. | £4,345 |
| 1+ Whiplash Injuries | With symptoms lasting 18-24 months. | £4,215 |
You may also be due special damages, which is the head of your compensation that covers the financial losses caused by your injuries. For example, this could include the cost of:
- Lost earnings
- Travel costs
- Help with housekeeping
- Childcare
- Home adjustments
- Prescriptions
Whiplash Claims For Ice Crashes
With the introduction of the Whiplash Reform Programme on May 31st 2021, some whiplash claims in England and Wales are now made differently. These include claims made by drivers or passengers aged 18 or over with injuries worth £5,000 or less.
All whiplash injuries are valued in line with the tariffs provided by the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. Even if your claim is worth more than £5,000 and made traditionally, whiplash injuries will be valued in line with the tariffs and other injuries will be valued traditionally.
To learn more about whiplash claims after an ice or snow accident, contact our team today.
Claim For A Car Accident On Ice On A No Win No Fee Basis
Ice accident claims can seem complex, and if you’ve been injured in a winter weather accident caused by another road user’s negligent actions, you might not know where to start. When you get in touch with our team of expert advisors, they can help you get the ball rolling.
Our advisors can connect you with one of the specialist solicitors on our panel, who have years of experience in ice and snow accident claims. Our panel work on a No Win No Fee basis, which means they offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
When you work with a No Win No Fee solicitor, you don’t need to pay for them to start work on the claim, nor do you pay for their services if the claim fails.
If you successfully claim for a car accident on ice, they’ll take a success fee. This is a small percentage of your compensation which is subject to a legislative cap, which helps make sure that the majority of your compensation stays with you.
Contact Our Team
To find out if one of the solicitors from our panel could help you claim compensation for a car accident in winter weather, contact our team today.
One of our advisors can evaluate your ice or snow accident claim for free, and tell you whether you have a valid personal injury claim. If you do, they could potentially connect you with a solicitor from our panel. Get started today by:
- Calling us on 0800 408 7825
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Read More About Claiming Car Crash Compensation
To learn more about claiming for a car accident on ice:
- If you’ve had a crash on a one way street, our guide can give you more information on claiming.
- Find out how to claim for nerve damage after a car accident with our guide.
- Learn who can claim taxi cab accident settlements and get more information on the claims process.
Or, for more helpful information:
- Learn how to request CCTV footage to support your claim
- Find out when to call 999 from the NHS
- Learn about the Motor Insurer’s Bureau
Thank you for reading our guide on claiming for a car accident on ice or snow.