The European Commission is debating on options for reform of compulsory motor insurance requirements. The Government wants to amend the Motor Insurance Directive so that insurance is only required when vehicles are used “in traffic”.
APIL (the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) has stated that this would be wholly unreasonable and unjustifiable. It would mean that a pedestrian injured on a public road by a negligent driver could pursue a personal injury claim, but someone injured on a private road by the same vehicle, could not. There would be no route for the pedestrian in those circumstances to claim redress because the car would be driven without insurance.
A senior lawyer has warned that removing off-road vehicles from the scope of compulsory motor insurance requirements would eliminate injured people and bereaved families from the justice system.
A recent Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling decided that it is not relevant where a vehicle is used, it must always be insured. This ruling was made after a farmworker in Slovenia was injured by a reversing tractor. Slovenian law only required compulsory insurance for use of a vehicle as transport on public roads. The CJEU ruled in favour of the farmworker and he was compensated by the insurers of the tractor.
Have you suffered a personal injury through no fault of your own, whether in an RTA or in any other circumstances? You have 3 years after the accident to make a claim, but it is always better to start the process as soon as possible. Contact our Highcliffe office on 01425 275555 or visit www.simpkinsand.co.uk to claim your FREE initial, no-obligation consultation and to find out about our no win, no fee agreements.
We have 25 years of experience in successfully handling personal injury compensation claims. We are members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). We are also experts in clinical negligence compensation claims and employment law.
