UK sees nearly two billion cost of car crashes in 12 months

New research has found that nearly 12 per cent of all crashes over the past year resulted in at least one vehicle being written-off.

Analysis of 40,000 collisions handled by the accident management firm, Accident Exchange, indicates that across the UK the number of write-offs topped 257,000 in the space of just 12 months.

The damage of these car accidents comes at a cost of £1,968,610,160, with more taking place in November than any other month thanks to the final quarter of the year notching up 30 per cent of the annual total.

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During the summer months - May, June and July - the fewest total losses occur, highlighting a clear summer-winter divide in the frequency of serious accidents which result in at least one vehicle being written-off.

Liz Fisher, Sales Director at Accident Exchange, commented: "A total loss generally indicates that a serious accident has taken place, and the research shows that they are perhaps more prevalent than anyone expects.

"Our analysis also highlights the staggering value of vehicles written-off annually.

"There's no doubt we can at least partly attribute the high proportion of accidents in winter months to poorer driving conditions. Wet, sometimes icy roads increase braking distances and commuters routinely drive to and from work in the dark.

Surprisingly, more than two percent of vehicles written-off - over 5,000 - are less than 12-months old, despite the usual perception that new car owners tend to be particularly careful with their vehicles.