Road Traffic Victims

If you’ve been affected by a road traffic crime

A road traffic crime can happen suddenly and without warning. You had no time to prepare, and life can feel completely changed in an instant.

You may be dealing with challenges that others don’t always understand, such as:

• The shock and suddenness of what happened
• Coming to terms with the fact that someone’s reckless or unlawful choices caused your harm
• Feeling that your case isn’t being treated as a crime, or that it’s not taken as seriously because a vehicle — not a traditional weapon — was used
• The frustration and uncertainty surrounding the investigation or when justice feels out of reach
• Feeling dismissed when others call it “just an accident”
• The stress of managing insurance, legal issues, medical care, and support — all at once

How you might feel

It’s normal to experience many emotions after a traumatic event. You may feel:

• Shocked or numb
• Afraid it could happen again
• Angry about what happened
• Grief for what you have lost
• Traumatised by the experience
• That your daily life is not the same
• A loss of independence
• Isolated from others
• Under financial strain — from medical costs, lost income, vehicle damage, or even funeral expenses

If you were physically injured, recovery can take time. Some injuries heal quickly, while others cause lasting changes. Be gentle with yourself and take your healing — both physical and emotional — one day at a time.

Accident or crime?

Some collisions are unavoidable accidents. Others happen because someone made an unlawful or reckless choice — such as speeding, driving while impaired, or failing to stop. In those cases, what happened to you is a crime.

If you’ve been told it was “just an accident,” you might feel unseen or dismissed. But your suffering is real. You deserve justice, support, and recognition for what you’ve been through.

Calling a crime an “accident” can minimize your experience. It can also affect how you’re treated by insurance companies, the justice system, and other institutions — sometimes making it harder to get the help and accountability you deserve.

Recognising that what happened to you was caused by unlawful behaviour is an important step toward justice, healing, and the support you need.