Brake calls for support for road crash victims

An appeal to government to use increasing motoring fines to step up support for suffering road crash victims is being launched today by the charity Brake, with support from Leigh Day and Co solicitors and families who have faced the devastation of a road crash. The campaign is being launched at a reception in Parliament, days after the government announced plans to inject a further £50m in improving support for victims, which will be partly generated by a rise in fines collected from to law-breaking, risky drivers.

Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said: “Road crashes are sudden and violent events that leave families reeling with shock and struggling to cope with the practical and emotional consequences. These families desperately need help and support, but often are left out in the cold. While victims of burglary are automatically offered face-to-face support funded by government, there is no such offer for bereaved and seriously injured crash victims. It is vital the government recognises the profound needs of road crash victims, and their right to appropriate support, given that they are suffering due to man-made, preventable and often criminal events. The government is planning to increase fines for law-breaking, dangerous drivers; these funds should be ploughed into developing comprehensive support that’s available to all serious crash victims, to help these families cope with the terrible circumstances they find themselves in.”

Sally Moore, head of personal injury, Leigh Day & Co solicitors said: “We increasingly find that our clients, whether seriously injured or bereaved by road crashes, are completely in the dark when it comes to understanding how the criminal process works. As solicitors who specialise in road crash cases, we are able to support our clients and their families through this complex process and in doing so help them find out what has happened. From my own experience it is clear that providing that specialist support to families who have frequently had their lives devastated by road crash enables them to cope better and engage with the process.”