CAR HORSE ACCIDENT CLAIMS

Whilst fatalities to riders as a result of a horse accident involving a car or other motor vehicle on the road has reduced substantially over the years there are, according to new statistics issued by the Department of Transport still a large number of injuries each year and the latest available annual statistics are as follows:

• 23 people were seriously injured whilst riding a horse
• 143 horse riders were injured in total
• 90% of all horse rider casualties occurred on Minor Roads
• The highest casualty rate was among the 16 – 19 year olds
• The lowest rate was among those aged over 60

Unfortunately the source of these statistics is in some doubt particularly in regards to fatal injuries and is open to question particularly by the British Horse Society whose records show that 11 riders were killed on the road in 2002 and that out of an estimated 3 million riders in Britain there are about eight car horse related incidents on the road every day.

The BHS actively promotes safety on the roads for all riders and in association with the Department of Transport produces a free leaflet 'How to be a safer rider' and also produces a video called 'Horse Sense for Motorists’ and the ‘BHS Riding and Roadcraft Safety Manual’.

The BHS arrange Road Safety Training and a Riding and Road Safety Test which makes participants aware of responsible and courteous behavior and aims to turn out competent riders well versed in roadcraft and road safety as set out in the current editions of the British Horse Society's Riding and Roadcraft Manual and the Highway Code. Examination parameters for the test are outlined in the British Horse Society's Riding and Roadcraft Manual and the BHS hold a list of all approved examiners. Any candidate may take the test on a hired horse and a minimum of 6 hours work including practical and theory is strongly recommended by the BHS. The test includes safe riding practice with an awareness of safety and protective clothing and high visibility accessories which can help to reduce the risk of a car horse accident. Hats must be worn to the current approved standards, PAS 015, EN 1384 or ASTM F1163; with either a Kitemark or SEI.

We are a nationwide network of specialist personal injury solicitors and we all operate the no win no fee scheme. We will fully finance your claim and will not expect you to contribute, or take out any loan, or pay for any insurance policy. Your compensation will be paid in full with absolutely no deductions.

If you would like free advice on personal injury compensation claims then just complete the car horse accident contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will contact you by telephone to discuss your accident at no charge and without obligation.