Car insurance: Warning over liability disputes
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Car insurance customers have been warned about the number of drivers getting into disputes over accidents accelerating because of the icy weather.
Experts at Accident Exchange, the UK's largest prestige vehicle accident management specialist, report an increase in the number of motorists denying responsibility by blaming the icy roads.
"The laws governing liability are clear," explains Lee Woodley from Accident Exchange.
"Just because the car in front slides on the snow or ice, and you end up hitting them too, the fault is still yours. They may have lost control, but so did you."
Mr Woodley relayed guidelines from the Highway Code indicating that stopping distances when conditions are slippery - even on treated roads - can be up to ten times greater than on dry roads.
He advised motorists to "drive with care" and stay well back from the vehicle in front.
The firm went on to point out that liability disputes prolong the settlement process between insurers and increases the costs borne by the industry, resulting in higher premiums for motorists.
Posted by Rick Malone
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