Aberdeenshire councils have announced that they have reached a five-year low in regards to compensation payouts as a result of potholes with the council vowing to continue to maintain the upkeep of the roads.
The figures, which come from a Freedom of Information request, show that there was a decrease in the number of compensation payouts regarding both damages to vehicles and personal injury claims.
According to the Freedom of Information request, the number of claims for pothole-related damage lodged with Aberdeen City Council fell from 121 in 2013-14 to 70 in 2014-15 with compensation claims falling to below £1,000.
The council stated that the figures were “as a result of investment from the roads service in a small works scheme and also as a reflection of how injury claims can impact on the claims experience”. However, while the number of complaints fell, it is worth noting that the Aberdeenshire Council does not have responsibility for maintaining truck roads such as the A90 and A96, which saw a number of serious incidents and fatalities over the same period of council stats.
Despite the improvement of the road conditions, sadly, there are still a number of people injured each year as a result of poor road conditions in the area. In the last two years, there were 131 claims against the council in regards to injury or damage to a vehicle.
Making a Personal Injury Claim
While there has clearly been an improvement in the condition of Aberdeen roads, if you are injured through no fault of your own as a result of the road condition, or if you suffer an accident through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
As a result of hitting a pothole it is possible to suffer whiplash and other minor injuries, however, many incidents are caused by trying to avoid potholes or braking, which can result in more serious injury, If you are involved in an accident as a result of road condition, we strongly advise that, if possible, you take a picture of the conditions, or you revisit the scene later on and do so. This can prove that the damage caused to yourself and even your vehicle, was a result of the road condition.
While photographic evidence is beneficial, you should also provide a medical report, witness
statements and any other details that could be beneficial when making a personal injury claim
As well as being able to claim compensation for an injury following a road traffic accident, you can also claim for any damage to property. Thus, if your vehicle is damaged and requires repair, you can obtain damages to help cover the cost. Many people are unable to work following an accident. If this is the case, you can also claim for a loss of earnings. This can be done by providing a bank statement to a team of solicitors.
Making a Personal Injury Claim: Contact Us
If you are injured in a road traffic accident or if you suffer an injury due to poor road conditions, our team of personal injury lawyers can get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our team of expert solicitors today using our online contact form.
