Firework Safety

November 5, 2020/in /by

Firework Safety

 

During the Autumn months, we all look forward to events that bring some cheer and excitement to the dark hours of the day. Although fireworks associated with New Year’s Eve and Guy Fawkes night are a visual treat for the whole family, it’s important to remember the danger involved.

During this time of year, we expect to see a rise in anti-social behaviour, especially in the days surrounding bonfire night. Due to the lack of responsible adults who buy fireworks, and the severity of injuries that can be caused by mishandling, or malfunctioning fireworks, the Scottish government has proposed several new rules regarding the sale and use of fireworks which are expected to be implemented. In the meantime, here are five tips to keep you safe this year.

1. Don’t DIY. The simplest way to keep safe around fireworks is to leave the handling of them to the professionals. Instead of buying your own and setting off fireworks in your back garden or street, perhaps spend this Guy Fawkes night with a cosy night in as most fireworks displays have been cancelled due to COVID-19.

2. Buy right. If you do decide to set off your own fireworks, be sure the ones you buy carry the CE mark. This means that the fireworks have passed the British European safety standards.

 

3. Safe Space. Make sure that if you are purchasing and setting off your own fireworks that you are doing so in a safe place and are mindful of your neighbours. Make sure the area surrounding your launch site isn’t crowded with debris that could catch fire from the fuse being lit. It is also worth making sure that where you set off your fireworks are a safe distance away from your home and any neighbours as sometimes fireworks can be lit and accidentally knocked off course and cause damage or worse injury to onlookers.

4. Never approach a firework that has already been lit. There are many cases of severe burns and injuries due to people returning to a firework that is taking longer than usual to go off. Remember that fireworks are incredibly dangerous explosions and must be treated with extreme care.

5. One Person Rule. Only have one person doing the lighting of the fireworks. This means that there is only ever one person at risk if something goes wrong. Remember to keep children well back from the launch site of your fireworks and only ever light one at a time.

6. Be alert. You must always be “switched on” if you are around fireworks as they could malfunction even if you carefully follow all instructions and do everything correctly. Be aware when you are out and about as well as anti-social behaviour with fireworks is expected around this time of year, and there are always cases of people setting off fireworks down residential streets.

Although fireworks are delightful to watch, we must remember that they are extremely dangerous and should be treated with the utmost caution and care. If you are participating in a bonfire or fireworks display, take all precautions, ensure children are supervised at all times, and enjoy the displays from a safe distance.

If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you would like more information, please feel free to get in touch with one of our solicitors.

How to Make a Claim During Covid-19

August 17, 2020/in /by
How to Make a Claim During Covid-19

How to Make a Claim During Covid-19

During these times, it can seem daunting to think about bringing forward a claim – many offices are shut, have a skeleton staff, or simply have gone into administration. Some will wonder whether it is worth trying to start a claim at this time, simply because it is too much of a hassle and would take to long to be processed because of the working realities of living during this time of coronavirus.

Is it possible to make a claim right now?

Yes! At Bonnar Accident Law, we want to assure you that we are continuing to work normally and for us its business as usual. We have set up all of our employees to be able to work efficiently and comfortably at home and continue to pursue claims and build cases for our clients with just the same care, thoughtfulness and detail.

We are continuing with our normal caseload, and are happy to take on new clients, working to make sure they receive the compensation they deserve, whether they’ve had been involved in an accident at work, on the road or otherwise. The only different thing is that our desks our now spread out, just a wee bit farther than normal.

Will I be able to speak to someone?

Absolutely. At Bonnar Accident Law, we’ve always been committed to ensuring you thoroughly understand your case and how it’s being brought forward, and that you feel completely comfortable: this means speaking to a human being, rather than being processed through a senseless computer system. We will always answer the phone and are happy to have a quick chat, or a lengthy talk with you – whatever you need.

Will there be a delay in my claim?

As with all things during this time, things may take slightly longer. But don’t worry, any delays will be minimal and won’t be felt by you and your case will progress normally.

How Can I Claim?

Simply get in touch with one of our friendly knowledgeable staff, and we’ll take it from there. At Bonnar Accident Law, No win No fee solicitors your peace of mind is our priority.

How To Find An Accident Lawyer Near Me

July 14, 2020/in /by
How To Find An Accident Lawyer Near Me

How To Find An Accident Lawyer Near Me

 

If you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be due compensation – but first, you’ll need to find an accident lawyer to represent you. It’s important to find someone who is trustworthy and will help you claim what you deserve in reparations without cutting corners or settling for an unfair amount of money.

 

Where Do I Start?

Although finding an accident lawyer may seem daunting – especially if you’re still recovering from your accident, or are experiencing anxiety due to the financial stress your accident has put on you and your family – we promise that there are simple steps to follow to ensure you are matched up with a lawyer who will have your best interests at heart.

How Do I Find the Right Lawyer?

Step 1: Conduct a simple Google search of “Accident Lawyer Near Me” and you will find lawyers who are able to practice in your local area.

 

Step 2: Ask for recommendations. If you know someone who has claimed for the injury, it may be helpful to try to find a lawyer by personal referral – you may be able to glean more information as to the processes involved and the benefits or drawbacks.

 

Step 3: Read the reviews. This step is the most important as there are many large firms who deal with hundreds of cases every year, but when you dig a little deeper, you may find that these types of firms are not invested in the success of their clients as much as they are invested in simply processing as many cases as possible. You can find reviews on TrustPilot, Yelp, Feefo, Facebook, Free Index and more.

 

Step 4: Speak to a representative on the phone. It’s difficult to get an idea of how competent and how invested a lawyer is over email, so we always recommend at least speaking on the phone, or better meeting in person to discuss your claim. You will get a better understanding of exactly how your case will be represented, and what your chances of success are.

 

Step 5: Stay local. We recommend choosing a firm which is local to your area. They are more likely to understand the complexities of your case, will always be nearby should you need anything urgently, and are often more personally invested in seeing your case succeed.

 

Choosing the right lawyer for you is absolutely critical because not all personal injury lawyers are the same. At Bonnar Accident Law, we are experts in personal injury law and we only work for individuals, never for corporations unlike many of our competitors.

 

Accident Lawyers, You Can Trust

For many years, we have represented people who were previously given dodgy advice or were simply unhappy with the service they received from other personal injury lawyers. At Bonnar Accident Law, we are ranked 1st on FreeIndex out of 112 UK-wide personal injury lawyers because we get the results our clients deserve, and we truly care.

 

 

If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault, contact our friendly team today on 0800 163 978 or email us on info@bonnarandco.com to discuss what we can do for you.

 

Increase in Road Traffic Accidents: Bad Weather at Fault

January 22, 2020/in /by

 

The Scottish Government has reported that road accident casualties in 2018 were down 11% compared to the figures of 2017.

This downward trajectory of casualties on Scottish roads is welcome news, but as get into the heart of winter the rates of accidents on the road due to icy surfaces or lack of visibility, unfortunately, starts to climb.

With 12% of all reported accidents, last year due to poor weather conditions*, many Scottish car owners are taking measures to ensure they are as safe as possible when travelling the roads this winter.

Julian Hanrahan, Senior Solicitor at Scottish claims company, Bonnar Accident Law said: “We see a spike in people making road accident compensation claims over the winter because sometimes our best preparations are no match for the Scottish weather.”

Police Scotland have already issued warnings to Scottish drivers to ensure they are ready for bad road conditions, as well the possibility of being stranded in the cold.

Hanrahan continued: “We encourage everyone to follow the advice of Police Scotland, and check weather conditions before setting out.”

Here are our 5 top tips for winter road safety:

1. Drive according to the road conditions – don’t assume road surfaces will be gritted.
2. Keep these things in your car in case you get stuck: Torch (+batteries), blanket, snacks, ice-scraper, portable phone charger.
3. Check your tyre pressure and oil levels are appropriate.
4. Children and pedestrians are harder to see in the dark, so keep your speed down in busy areas.
5. Check what you should do and who you can turn to if you are involved in a weather-related accident by visiting bonnaraccidentlaw.com.

If you are involved in an accident, stay calm and contact the police immediately.

Follow this link if you’re unsure what you could be owed in compensation.

 

Cold weather and cold calls from claims companies

March 5, 2018/in /by

Just a quick ‘heads up’ to say that these unsolicited cold calls are still being made. Just to prove the point, I was on the receiving end last week, during the height of the cold, wintry weather.

The caller asked me about how I was feeling after my road traffic accident. Let’s say that things went downhill rapidly thereafter.

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