Information on
Investigations, Court and Sentencing
Navigating the
Criminal Justice System
RoadPeace helps victims by providing information on the justice system. This includes the procedures involved in collision investigation, inquests and criminal prosecution and sentencing.
Advocacy and Casework Support
Firstly, they can be traumatised. No one is prepared for road death or serious injury. At a time of such severe shock, they deserve extra help, not extra pressure.
Secondly, they will be in unfamiliar territory. They are unlikely to have any previous experience with the police and criminal justice system. Most will not understand what is involved in the work of police investigators or coroners or the time required. Victims do not know their role or their rights.
Thirdly, they will be denied information. This is due to the policy/principle of “sub judice”. The investigation and possible/potential prosecution takes priority over the needs of victims and their families to understand what happened. Such “processing” is put on hold.
If you would like to discuss your queries with RoadPeace please call our helpline on 0800 160 1069.
RoadPeace provided such expert and compassionate advice to me throughout our case. Without it I would have felt completely lost.
Bereaved Partner.
RoadPeace Guides
Information Guides
We provide guides helping victims navigate the justice system—from investigation and inquest through to sentencing.
National Guides
Knowledge is power. RoadPeace wants to help victims be informed and thus better prepared for the justice system.
Road death investigation guide for bereaved families
Inquest and road death
Sentencing guide for bereaved families
For advice on civil compensation claims, please see the section below entitled “Help with seeking compensation”.
Sometimes when you feel alone and cut off from the rest of society it’s nice to know people from RoadPeace are always there to catch us when we fall.
Bereaved Partner.
Local Guides
In recent years, police and crime commissioners have begun funding local and/or endorsing local guides.
London
Road death investigation guide for London
London guide for life changing or life threatening collisions
Please visit our resource library to see other resources and information available.
For hard copies of the guides please contact the RoadPeace helpline on helpline@roadpeace.org or 0800 160 1069.
Northamptonshire
West Mercia
Road death investigation guide for West Mercia
Guide for those seriously injured in collisions in West Mercia
West Midlands
Help with Seeking Compensation – RoadPeace Legal Panel
The RoadPeace Legal Panel aims to help and support people bereaved or seriously injured in a road collision by enabling them access to high quality legal advice and justice, including fair compensation.
The Legal Panel is made up of leading specialist personal injury law firms. Panel members’ sign up to an agreed set of qualifying criteria as a quality standard and sign of their commitment to road crash victims.
RoadPeace legal panel members make an annual charitable donation of £5,000 to RoadPeace to support our work.
RoadPeace works with APIL, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, who have produced a video highlighting the importance of using a specialist personal injury lawyer when making a claim for civil compensation.
The need for the RoadPeace Legal Panel
Road crashes have a devastating impact on victims’ lives. They cause deaths, serious debilitating injuries, psychological distress including post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of income and financial hardship.
In addition, people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes have to navigate a series of post-crash procedures including a police investigation, inquest and sometimes a court case, which can be confusing and traumatic given the low priority the justice system assigns even serious motoring offences.
Meanwhile low and age related bereavement damages and a fault based civil compensation scheme mean victims have to fight for compensation, while recent changes to personal injury law make it less likely that those who have suffered serious injuries through no fault of their own will be able to claim compensation and those who do will receive less compensation than they deserve.
Nothing can compensate someone for the loss of a loved one or a debilitating lifelong condition but accessing legal advice and representation can help support people through proceedings, access their financial entitlements and appropriate health care, and pursue a fair compensation claim.