Taking the reins
As the weather turns from rain to snow, it is best time to tack up and head out into the Lincolnshire countryside for day long hacks. There are 3.5 million regular riders and nearly 1 million horses in the UK and anyone that rides, including myself, knows that horse riding can be a dangerous pastime. Horses are unpredictable but we love them anyway and know the possible danger that we are taking on every time we get in the saddle. As much as we love them and trust our horses they are animals and will always have the “flight or fright” instinct.
Injuries due to an accident on the road can and do happen, a bruise from a fall due to a side leap to escape a crisp packet in the hedge, a broken bone from being ditched from the gritter heading out on the roads looking your horse’s way, but sometimes an accident is caused by negligence, and if this is the case you may be entitled to compensation.
In 2012 (last statistics available) more than 4,000 horse riders and carriage drivers were admitted to hospital from injury in a transport accident (http://www.bhs.org.uk/safety-and-accidents).
Drivers have a duty of care to horses and riders on public roads when approaching or passing them, the Highway Code advises what drivers should and shouldn’t do when passing horses. If this duty of care is breached and you have been injured, we at Ringrose Law could help you claim compensation.
Contact a legal advisor at Ringrose Law today for free legal advice. We could take your claim on a no win no fee basis and ensure you received the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.