If you’ve been injured in a military road accident, the impact on your physical wellbeing and your military service can be devastating. Our specialist military injury lawyers can help you access the support and treatment you need to move forward.
Road traffic accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in the Armed Forces, and the consequences that this can have on both your physical and mental wellbeing, as well as your future military service, can be catastrophic.
No matter how hazardous a working environment military service may be, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has a responsibility to minimise any potential risk of injury to service personnel wherever possible, including in the use of vehicles. This means ensuring all vehicles are properly maintained and safe to use, and that proper training is provided on use of specialised equipment and vehicles.
If you’ve been injured in an accident that you believe was caused by negligence, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation, either via the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) or by pursuing a claim through the civil courts.
As with road accidents in civilian life, many military road accidents are unfortunately caused by negligence, either via vehicle or road maintenance, or through unsafe or irresponsible behaviour from other road users.
Military road accidents can occur in all manner of vehicles and circumstances, from cars, bicycles and motorcycles to armoured vehicles or collisions with pedestrians. The use of any vehicle can be dangerous, particularly if they are not used with the appropriate care or caution. Some of the most common causes of military road accidents include:
Lack of proper training to use specialist vehicles
Insufficient vehicle maintenance
Poor road maintenance or a lack of road markings
A failure by other road users to adhere to road traffic signs
Can I make a military road traffic accident claim?
If you are a current or former member of the Army, Navy, RAF, the Special Forces or the Reserves and you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation.
It may be possible to make a claim regardless of if you were on or off duty at the time of your accident, though the process may be slightly different if you were off duty. This is because it will depend upon the exact circumstances of your accident, including whether you were on base and the activity you were undertaking at the time.
To learn more about making a claim, and how our specialist military injury lawyers can help you, get in touch with the team on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.
Military Injury Claims with Natasha Orr
Slater and Gordon are specialists in military injury claims and have a long-standing connection with the armed forces community. We're uniquely placed to understand the challenges of military life.
Military team leader, Natasha Orr explains military injury claims and how Slater and Gordon can help navigate these claims.
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Why choose our military injury lawyers?
At Slater and Gordon, we have a long-standing connection with military personnel, and all of our cases are handled by specialists with a great deal of experience in dealing with military injury cases.
Our dedicated military injury solicitors are headed up by Natasha Orr, Senior Associate and an APIL (Association of Personal Injury Solicitors) accredited Senior Litigator, as well as a former member of the Armed Forces. She also has first-hand experience being the spouse of a service person, and the unique demands and difficulties this carries. Her first-hand experience gives her an extensive understanding of the challenges faced by military personnel, and their families and this fuels her passion for assisting the military community.
Our military law team have received numerous accolades and recognition across the legal industry, such as Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. We work closely with several charities, such as HASAG and Mesothelioma UK, who provide a specific service for military personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Frequently asked questions about military road accident claims
Can I make a No Win No Fee claim for a military road accident?
We understand how daunting it can be to pursue legal action, whether through the AFCS or submitting a claim against the MoD through the civil courts, and no one should have to then deal with the stress of funding a claim.
That is why all the claims we pursue on behalf of military personnel are done so by way of a No Win No Fee agreement. It means that there are no upfront costs to starting legal action, and if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay a penny in fees.
How much compensation could I be owed for a military road accident?
Every military accident compensation claim is different, with the final figure dependent on the seriousness of the injury as well as the extent of recovery that may be possible. Our expertise is not just in winning significant compensation, it's also in understanding the need for rehabilitation and the support you and your family will need right away, and perhaps for the rest of your lives.
Will making a claim for a military road accident affect my career?
Making a claim should not affect your military service in any way. There are strict rules in the MoD to ensure a person is not discriminated against following a personal injury claim, which are designed to protect every individual’s right to bring legal action where unnecessary harm has been caused.
It is also important to note that making a claim will not affect your entitlement to a pension.
What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a government funded scheme managed by Veterans UK. Its purpose is to provide compensation for military personnel and veterans who have suffered injury or illness due to military service.
Importantly, it is a ‘no fault’ scheme which means that, unlike a civil claim, there is no need to prove that negligence on the part of the MoD caused your injuries. All that is required is proof that your injury was caused by your time in the military.
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