
Here at UKEM we’re excited to welcome new members to our team and dive into the latest industry developments that demand our attention and insights.
In this October issue, our focus turns to an ongoing concern:
The increasing number of road accidents in the UK and why 2022 may be drastically different to prior years.
This topic holds particular relevance to UKEM given our regular involvement in road accident cases. By understanding certain trends within these statistics, it allows us to better help and support any client who may want to begin a claim enquiry with us.
We have reviewed reports from various sources in depth to look at any trends in data.
This graph is taken from the DfT report
We have reviewed the most recent road accident report in the UK published by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The graph above shows the reported road fatalities across the UK from 1979-2022.
As the graph suggests, numbers have been on the rise in the past 2 years, 2021-2022, with the DfT reporting that there were 135,480 casualties of all severities in total and 1,711 were recorded as fatal.
The DfT have also recognised a trend within these statistics ranging from 2019 to 2022 (pre and post pandemic). The number of casualties has begun to rise again.
These were the reported total casualties from 2019-2021 compared to the 135,480 casualties reported in 2022.
2019 – 153,158 casualties of all severities in total
2020 – 115,584 casualties of all severities in total
2021 – 128,209 casualties of all severities in total
As the stats show, the total number of casualties of all severities in the UK has started to increase since 2021, slowly returning to what they were prior to the pandemic.
What is interesting to observe is why there has been a significant increase in the total number of road accidents in the UK after the pandemic and lockdown restrictions were released.
The primary reason is likely people isolating and using their cars only, when necessary, which caused a reduction in traffic.
However, we should also investigate whether incidents from 2019 to 2022 were attributable to a reoccurring factor persisting throughout these years.
We have assessed the leading causes of road incidents from 2019-2022 to see if they vary. From years 2019-2021 the leading factor seemed to be ‘driver/riders’ failure to look properly’ averaging around 37-39% of all road incident.
However, 2022 has seen an increase in loss of control with this being the top 2022 leading factor of casualties, averaging 24.4% of all casualties.
Distribution of contributing factors leading to road accidents in Great Britain in 2019/2020:
These statistics are taken from Statista. They show that from 2019-2020 loss of control only made up 11% of total road accidents.
Top 10 percentage of contributory factors attributed in reported road fatalities in Great Britain, 2022
When we compare the statistics from 2019-2020 and 2022, we can see the significant increase in loss of control being a leading factor of road casualties in the UK.
It is also interesting to see percentages differ from a leading cause in 2019/20, averaging 38-39% to 2022s leading percentage being 24%.
After examining the most recent report for 2022 in comparison to the 2019/20 reports it is informative to evaluate how leading factors/causes have changed in a short space of time.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to emphasise the importance of keeping up to date with the latest data reports within the sectors where UKEM operates. This practice enables us to tailor our strategies to changing trends, ultimately providing our clients with better support and outcomes throughout their claim enquiry with.
UKEM Team Updates
Now we have some more on what we’ve been up to this month and some words from our team!
What sets UKEM apart is our dedication to not only welcoming individuals who come with prior legal experience or qualifications, but also those who aspire to embark on a new legal career path or make a transition into the legal field.
Apprentices play a significant role within the UKEM team.
So, we have got some words from Jack who was an apprentice and has now progressed in UKEM to the role of file handler in our medical negligence department.
We asked him to talk more about his experience as an apprentice and this is what he said.
What kind of apprenticeship did you pursue?
I was enrolled in a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship.
What was the duration of your apprenticeship?
I started in November 2020 and completed it in June 2022.
Any advice for those considering an apprenticeship?
My advice would be to stay organized and maintain a consistent work ethic. Try not to leave everything until the last minute; tackle tasks as you go.
What motivated you to choose an apprenticeship?
I was drawn to the opportunity to gain practical administration skills while advancing in a professional setting.
How has UKEM supported you along the way?
UKEM has been really supportive in every way. They’ve allowed me time to complete my work and offered assistance in acquiring valuable hands-on experience to boost my project grades.
How did you manage your work and learning during your apprenticeship?
I set specific times aside for my coursework, like dedicating an hour at the end of my Fridays.’
Can you tell us about the skills you acquired during your apprenticeship?
I delved into understanding the inner workings of businesses, their structures, and the various roles within. This gave me invaluable skills in project management, organisation, and a solid grasp of business terminology.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to someone?
Absolutely, I’d wholeheartedly recommend it. An apprenticeship not only equips you with the knowledge but also builds your confidence as you apply what you learn to real-world scenarios. It’s a great way to enter a specific field of work.
Jack’s experience as an apprentice at UKEM highlights our commitment to fostering growth and providing opportunities for individuals interested in the legal field. We understand the significance of welcoming both those with prior legal experience and those making a transition into this field. Jack’s insights offer valuable advice and inspiration for those considering apprenticeships. With UKEM’s support, Jack successfully completed his Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, and he is now a vital part of our medical negligence department.
Headway Conference 2023
We were honoured to participate in the Headway Lincolnshire Annual Brain Injury Conference.
As the headline sponsors, it was an amazing opportunity for us to participate and support an organisation that has been helping people affected by brain injury and their families since 1987.
We’re grateful to Headway Lincolnshire for allowing us to play a significant role in this event and we want to say a big thank you to everyone who attended.
We can’t wait to see you again next year!
Our New Team Member!
This month, we have a new team member to introduce Kyran Smith.
Allow us to introduce Kyran, our newest file handler in our medical negligence department here at UKEM.
As always, we wish our new starters the best of luck with their new role and can’t wait to see how they grow with us!
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UKEMs October Reviews