COMPENSATION FOR ROAD ACCIDENTS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: nov/dec 2025 :: RMTnews 22 An RMT member and his wife successfully secured compensation following a harrowing road traffic incident outside their home. Late one night, the couple approached the driver of a parked car who had been blasting loud music for over an hour, politely asking him to lower the volume. In a shocking turn of events, the driver responded by reversing into the member’s wife, then accelerating forward and striking the member—forcing him through a brick wall. The driver fled the scene but was later identified and convicted of dangerous driving and attempted grievous bodily harm. He is now serving a prison sentence. RMT’s legal partners Thompsons Solicitors pursued personal injury claims on behalf of the member. Despite the couple being entirely innocent, the driver’s insurers initially refused to accept liability, forcing the case into court proceedings. It was only after determined negotiations by Thompsons that the insurers agreed to settle. The compensation secured included £8,500 for the RMT member after suffering multiple soft tissue injuries to his leg, knee, ankle, toe, shoulder, and elbow. The member’s wife was awarded £3,000 after suffering psychological trauma and an aggravation of a pre-existing knee condition. Thanks to the union’s legal guarantee, both received their full compensation amounts with no deductions. TRAIN DRIVER An RMT member secured a compensation settlement of more than £12,300 after being involved in a serious road traffic accident while on duty. The member, an experienced train driver, was correctly proceeding through an open level crossing under a green signal when a car ignored a red light and drove into the side of her train. The collision caused significant damage to the train, rendering it immobile. As a result of the incident, the member sustained injuries to her back, neck, and shoulder, and was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She was unable to work for nearly two months and required extensive physiotherapy and counselling as part of her recovery. Thompsons Solicitors pursued a personal injury claim on her behalf. The claim was met with delays and resistance from the responsible driver’s insurers, who disputed the value of the case. This led to formal court proceedings being issued and the case proceeded all the way to trial where the Judge awarded the member just over £12,300 compensation, significantly more than the insurers had been willing to offer. In accordance with the union’s legal promise, the member received the full compensation amount with no deductions. TRAVELLING TO WORK An RMT member secured compensation of nearly £1,300 following a road traffic accident while travelling to a work site. The member was a passenger in a Network Rail van when the vehicle was struck from behind by a large truck. The impact caused the member to be jolted violently, aggravating a pre-existing neck and shoulder condition, which became significantly more painful. In addition, the member sustained a chest injury and developed situational anxiety because of the incident. The union’s legal partners Thompsons Solicitors pursued a personal injury claim on the member’s behalf. Liability for the collision was accepted by the truck driver’s insurers, allowing the claim to be resolved without the need for court proceedings. In line with the union’s legal promise, the member received the full amount with no deductions. All these traffic accident cases underscore the importance of RMT legal support in ensuring members receive the maximum compensation they are entitled to following incidents at work. COMPENSATION FOR ROAD ACCIDENTS RMT fights for compensation from day one of membership