Car accident claims and the domestic battlefield

For UK couples the family car often represents a mobile extension of the family home. It is not uncommon for a couple who have been rowing in the family home to get into the car and continue the argument as if the road were not a place demanding absolute care concentration but instead another battlefield in the family theatre of war. However, doing so risks the consequences of a car crash and a consequent car accident claim.

While there are no figures available to examine the impact of domestic rows on car accident claims, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that arguments between couples may be larger factor in car accident claims than is widely known.

Why is there such a high risk of being the centre of a car accident claim if you argue while driving?
The human brain, while a magnificent and sophisticated organ of intelligence, finds it very difficult to do two things at once. Studies have shown that if a driver attempts to negotiate a complex course simulating an urban environment while attempting simple mental calculations he is highly likely to be involved in a road accident. This reality is all too apparent in a high number of car accident claims the courts deal with.

One example would be the recent high incidence of mobile telephones cited as the cause of a car crashes in car accident claims. People simply cannot simultaneously concentrate on both driving and talking.

The same goes for driving and arguing, though logic has it that an argument will have a more detrimental impact on a car accident claim than a mobile telephone conversation. This is because when a person is involved in an argument while driving, as well as performing a dual mental task, he or she often becomes heated, irrational and prone to lapses in concentration. We've all felt our blood boil and our heads go dizzy with anger and irritation - what we don't want is for such a situation to lead to is a car accident claim for personal injury compensation.

Rows and car accident claim testimonies
It is worth examining the anecdotal evidence to gain a rough overview of domestic arguments and car accident claims. In doing so, it is hoped that some car crashes and resultant car accident claims might be avoided.

These car accident claim testimonies are deeply upsetting, but those who participated, while wishing to remain anonymous, hope that their experiences will serve as a warning to others who may risk a car accident claim for personal injury, or even death, as a result of driving while arguing. Names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved:

Car accident claim testimony no.1 - In 1998 Mr and Mrs Appleby and their three-year-old daughter were on their way to a friend's wedding. Things had been quite stressed that morning:

"We were running late, having trouble getting ready." Says Mrs Appleby, "We started arguing, it was about nothing really. But we just couldn't let go and the row continued into the car. My husband was driving and looking at me to argue at the same time.

"Then suddenly we slammed into the side of another car as we came out of an intersection. Our daughter flew from the back seat into the windscreen. I screamed in horror. In all the haste and bitterness of our petty point-scoring we must have failed to strap her in correctly. She is ok now but she suffered a broken wrist and quite severe scarring.

"She will be entitled to make a car accident claim against us in the future and one day she may wish to do so. We put her through a lot of pain and trauma at an early age so who would blame her?"

Car accident claim testimony no. 2 - John and Denise had been living together for three years when it became apparent to Denise that they were heavily in debt as a result of John's online gambling. The couple were on their way home from a shopping trip when they became embroiled in an argument about money. John, normally a safe and cautious driver, became agitated at Denise's cutting criticism and started driving angrily and aggressively:

"I just couldn't accept that I was in the wrong." John remembers, "I'd always thought I was in control of my gambling. Truth was that I wasn't. Denise admits that she should never have confronted me in the car. But I should have stopped the car and let her vent her anger. Instead I carried on and ended up colliding with a motorcyclist. I was so heated that I didn't even see him until it was way, way too late.

"Our insurers had to pay a car accident claim for compensation as he'd made a no win, no fee claim for serious personal injuries. Denise suffered neck injuries so made a whiplash compensation claim against me. My car was a write-off, my relationship was as good as over and I'd caused an innocent motorcyclist to suffer spinal injuries in a road accident - all because I'd been stupid enough to carry out an argument while behind the wheel. It is on my conscience forever now and the shame and guilt will never leave me."

Avoiding a domestic row car accident claim
The first thing that might be said is that if you are involved in a tense situation at home that risks spilling out into the car then simply don't drive. Chances are that if you do drive while embroiled in an argument and you become involved in a road accident, you will have difficulty making a successful car accident claim and instead will more likely have a car accident claim made against you.

When an argument starts while you are driving, if you cannot put it behind you until you reach your destination, then you must stop somewhere safe until it has been resolved.

One UK relationship expert offers good advice, "The shared sense of shame a couple feel after their reckless bickering has caused a car accident will rarely leave them. It pervades a relationship, tarnishing it forever. If you truly love someone, you should not risk their welfare, or anyone else's, by driving while in a rage. It is never worth it. No matter what kind of engagement you might have to attend."

It is certainly not worth risking a potentially car accident claim for compensation either.

Making a no win, no fee claim for personal injury compensation
If you have suffered personal injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.

Many apparently simple injuries such as whiplash can have serious consequences on our mental, physical and financial lives. That is why making a no win, no fee claim often represents your best chance at justice.

Car Accident Advice Line's panel of personal injury solicitors have years of experience in dealing with car accident claims. One advantage of dealing with us is that at no stage of the compensation claim process will you incur any costs or fees. If you win, you will get to keep 100% of your compensation cheque. And, even if you lose you will not incur any of the winning side's costs as we take out an insurance policy on your behalf to cover all eventualities.

Our panel of no win, no fee solicitors have an impressive success rate in dealing with car accident claims, so why not investigate your right to car accident compensation today?

We can be contacted in one of three ways - you can request a call back from one of our claims team, fill out an online claims form, or call us now on 0808 143 43 42.