It is possible to claim compensation from the relevant highway authority if fault does not lie with any of the other drivers involved in the accident and if there is a defect in the design or the maintenance of the highway.

Certain stretches of road become known as accident hotspots, usually due to some design fault or defect in maintenance.

Collision records over a period of time will usually trends at specific sites.  Where ‘clusters’ have developed, the highway authority has a duty to carry out an engineering investigation to resolve the defect.

Accident hotspots can often be the cause of the most serious accidents and the possibility of a claim against the highway authority should not be ruled out, especially where somebody is very seriously injured.