Tag Archives: Road Traffic Accidents

Access Legal Contributes To ‘Aspire’ Charity

Access Legal, the consumer brand of national law firm Shoosmiths, has raised more than £30,000 for Aspire, a charity that provides practical support for individuals suffering spinal cord injuries. The charity is one of the firm’s 2010 nominated charity partners.

Access Legal had originally pledged to raise £25,000 for Aspire, but exceeded its initial pledge by an additional £5,000. This donation will allow Aspire to pursue its mission to help people with spinal cord injuries live their life in as happy a manner as possible.

The fundraising effort involved a variety of events, including challenges that the Access Legal staff underwent in exchange for sponsorship from friends, family and co-workers. Some staff members went sky diving to raise money for the cause, while others participated in a 10k fun run.

One of the most difficult challenges completed by Access Legal staff was a sponsored swim across the English Channel. Additionally, employees of Access Legal took part in a rugby game against the London Wheelchair Rugby team and some staff members underwent the 177-mile Offa’s Dyke challenge.

The Aspire charity’s mission ties in closely with the Access Legal brand, which provides personal injury claim services for people who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

At the opening of Aspire’s newest specialist home for those paralysed through spinal injury, members of Access Legal’s staff were in attendance to show the support for the charity’s cause. The staff members who attended the opening event for Aspire’s Buckingham House included: catastrophic injuries expert Chris McKinney, mixed liability department head Sarah Lake, trainee solicitor Oliver Spicer and campaign assistant Georgia Baillieu.

Every year people across the UK suffer from spinal cord injuries, which can cause partial or full paralysis. Such injuries are often caused by road traffic accidents, but may also be a result of falls or sport-related contact. Access Legal from Shoosmith is determined to offer the victims of spinal injuries the legal services they deserve and to help its charity partner, Aspire, provide them with specialist living facilities.

Via EPR Network
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PHC Law Supports RoSPA’s Lighter Evening Campaign

RoSPA has been calling for many years for a move to a system called “Single/Double Summer time” (SDST), which would put the clocks one hour ahead of GMT in winder and two hours ahead of GMT throughout the summer months.

The campaign has been launched to improve road safety and the number of fatalities and people that are injured on the roads, being the key aim behind RoSPA’s campaign.

Research found a move to SDST could reduce road death by around 80 per cent every year and serious injuries by around 212 per year.

A spokesperson from PHC Law personal injury solicitors said:

“Our Road Traffic Accident Solicitors recover millions of pounds in compensation every year from people who have sustained a whiplash injury, been involved public transport accidents through to pedestrians and cyclists who have been involved in an accident”.

“The main benefit of SDST will help to protect not only motorists and pedestrians but vulnerable road users like children and the elderly, making them more visible to motorists”

“Children are often a high-risk in regards to road traffic accidents, they tend to go straight to school in a morning but often participate in after school activities, increasing their exposure to road dangers in the evenings. It is vital in any case for motorcyclists and pedestrians to ensure they can be seen and for motorists to watch their speed and be aware of vulnerable road users like pedestrians, children and the elderly at any time of the day or night”

“If SDST is enforced, hopefully this will drastically improve the amount of people who are involved in road traffic accidents each year, especially children”.

Tom Mularkley, RosPA chief executive said: “We need to keep the momentum behind this long-running campaign. In view of the reports published in 2009, plus casualty data, we will continue to call a change which, we believe, would save lives and reduce injuries.

“More pedestrians are killed and injured in the afternoon and early evening than in the morning. Therefore, by moving to SDST, vulnerable road users like children walking home from school would have an extra hour of daylight in which to make their journeys.

“It is time for the issue to come off the shelf and for the full implications to be considered.”

RoSPA recommends a trial is run for 2-3 years to provide objective, up-to-date evidence about the effects of SDST, also recommending that it would enable the public, industry and business sectors to experience the change for themselves.

Via EPR Network
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Access Legal Announces Sponsorship of Leon Hunt

Access Legal, the consumer legal services provider, has announced it will be sponsoring motorcycle racer Leon Hunt in this season’s Metzeler National Superstock Championship.

Access Legal will be backing the 22-year-old from Brighton in all 12 rounds of the series, which began at Easter, at Brands Hatch. This is the first time that Access Legal has sponsored a rider.

Leon is racing for Lincoln-based team AP Kawasaki in the Superstock 1000cc class, which supports the popular MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. He will be riding a brand new Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Leon began racing at the end of 2003, and has been successful on 125cc machines through to Superstock bikes. He won a 125 series and had podium positions in the British Championship, where he also enjoyed several top five finishes.

Access Legal also has a motoring law team, which is run by bikers and provides a service to bikers and other members of the public who have a motoring law question.

Simon Richards, team leader (legal executive) at Access Legal, said: “Being bikers ourselves, we follow the Superstock series avidly, and have known Leon for a couple of years. We’re excited to be able to get involved and we’re confident he’ll do well on the new ZX-10R. We wish him the best of luck for the series.”

Leon Hunt commented: “I really enjoyed my first year in the Superstock 1000cc class last year,” he said “but we had a little bit of bad luck and I had to train harder to get used to the longer races. I feel confident this season, and hope to be at the sharp end.”

Via EPR Network
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Access Legal From Shoosmiths Hooks Up With Biker Group

Access Legal from Shoosmiths is to help the 50,000-strong Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) become the UK’s leading consumer organisation for bikers, as the consumer legal services provider announces it has teamed-up with MAG to offer free legal advice to its members.

Access Legal From Shoosmiths Hooks Up With Biker Group

Comprising volunteers, MAG lobbies to protect motorcycling from legislation it believes threatens riders’ pleasure; while its charitable arm – The MAG Foundation – promotes motorcycling through research, representation and collaboration.

Access legal from Shoosmiths is providing a dedicated 24/7 legal helpline to MAG members, their friends and family, offering free legal advice on a range of issues, including road traffic accidents.

Then, for every personal injury instruction received via MAG, Access Legal from Shoosmiths will donate £100 to the Foundation, while £50 will be donated for conveyancing instructions, £25 for motor defence, and £15 for wills.

Partner and head of consumer services at Access Legal, Judith Dorkins said: “Not only are we boosting funds for a worthwhile cause, we’re also helping MAG members pursue their rights, have easy access to justice, understand the legal process, and make informed decisions.

“It’s great example of our commitment to investing in the community.”

MAG general secretary Nich Brown said: “MAG members know their right to ride is one of the most important things in life. Every day we’re asked for advice on how to fight injustices by riders who’ve had a raw deal. This partnership means our members can quickly find expert legal advice of all kinds whenever they need it.”

Via EPR Network
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