New figures show Wiltshire Wiltshire Council to have paid out more than £200k in compensation following claims made against it over potholes and surface defects in recent years.
Specialist firm Accident Claims Advice obtained data showing that 196 claims for pedestrian accidents have been lodged against the council since 2020.
The company says that when local authorities and councils fail to provide a duty of care in pedestrian areas, it can result in them having to pay out thousands of pounds for successful injury claims.
JF Law solicitor Lucy Parker said: “Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries, such as sprains, head trauma, and even broken bones, which means it's essential that highways and footpaths are properly maintained.”
Councils and local authorities have a duty of care to ensure the safety of people using public spaces, such as parks, highways and footpaths.
An important part of this is ensuring the land under their control is properly maintained. If they fail to do this, pedestrians can be put at risk, and the council could be sued for injury compensation.
According to Accident Claims Advice, of the 196 pedestrian accident claims against Wiltshire Council, 37 were settled with compensation, highlighting what it terms a large disparity.
A total of 37 claims were made against the Wiltshire Council in 2020, the second-lowest number of claims over the past five years, while a year later this decreased to 29 claims.
The council has experienced a rise in claims over the past year, with 46 submitted.
Research from 2018 revealed that across the UK, pedestrians who tripped on pavements were awarded at least £2.1m in compensation.
The AA found that 10,572 people made claims against local councils, but only 859 - just eight percent - were successful.
The small percentage of settled claims continues to this day, often due to a lack of evidence against the council.
In order for someone to claim, they must prove that the local council or authority breached its ‘duty of care’ and that this directly caused the injury.
Accident Claims Advice says it found that Wiltshire Council paid a total of £216,409.20 over the past five years, with the highest amount coming in 2021, when £88,854.51 was paid.
Wiltshire Council revealed the most frequent causes of pedestrian accident claims that were made against them.
Slips and trips were the most common cause of pedestrian accident claims, lodged 88 times, followed by footway defects and potholes, which both saw 54 claims submitted.
Lucy Parker said: “These accidents are often caused by preventable factors, such as poorly maintained roads and pavements or inadequate signage and lighting.
“It is vital that councils are held accountable for their negligence in these cases. Victims of these accidents may face extensive medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and loss of income.
“The claims that are lodged against councils not only help victims secure the financial compensation they need but also serve as a crucial step towards ensuring that local authorities maintain safer pedestrian environments."
Accident Claims Advice offers support to those who have suffered injuries due to footpath or highway defects and can determine whether they are eligible for compensation.
The firm operates a 24-hour helpline and claim online form, which people can access on their website.
The company says that when local authorities and councils fail to provide a duty of care in pedestrian areas, it can result in them having to pay out thousands of pounds for successful injury claims.
JF Law solicitor Lucy Parker said: “Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries, such as sprains, head trauma, and even broken bones, which means it's essential that highways and footpaths are properly maintained.”
Councils and local authorities have a duty of care to ensure the safety of people using public spaces, such as parks, highways and footpaths.
An important part of this is ensuring the land under their control is properly maintained. If they fail to do this, pedestrians can be put at risk, and the council could be sued for injury compensation.
According to Accident Claims Advice, of the 196 pedestrian accident claims against Wiltshire Council, 37 were settled with compensation, highlighting what it terms a large disparity.
A total of 37 claims were made against the Wiltshire Council in 2020, the second-lowest number of claims over the past five years, while a year later this decreased to 29 claims.
The council has experienced a rise in claims over the past year, with 46 submitted.
Research from 2018 revealed that across the UK, pedestrians who tripped on pavements were awarded at least £2.1m in compensation.
The AA found that 10,572 people made claims against local councils, but only 859 - just eight percent - were successful.
The small percentage of settled claims continues to this day, often due to a lack of evidence against the council.
In order for someone to claim, they must prove that the local council or authority breached its ‘duty of care’ and that this directly caused the injury.
Accident Claims Advice says it found that Wiltshire Council paid a total of £216,409.20 over the past five years, with the highest amount coming in 2021, when £88,854.51 was paid.
Wiltshire Council revealed the most frequent causes of pedestrian accident claims that were made against them.
Slips and trips were the most common cause of pedestrian accident claims, lodged 88 times, followed by footway defects and potholes, which both saw 54 claims submitted.
Lucy Parker said: “These accidents are often caused by preventable factors, such as poorly maintained roads and pavements or inadequate signage and lighting.
“It is vital that councils are held accountable for their negligence in these cases. Victims of these accidents may face extensive medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and loss of income.
“The claims that are lodged against councils not only help victims secure the financial compensation they need but also serve as a crucial step towards ensuring that local authorities maintain safer pedestrian environments."
Accident Claims Advice offers support to those who have suffered injuries due to footpath or highway defects and can determine whether they are eligible for compensation.
The firm operates a 24-hour helpline and claim online form, which people can access on their website.
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