10 Jun 2025
Do Personal Injury Cases Increase During the UK Summertime?
Summer in the UK is synonymous with longer days, warmer weather and a surge in outdoor activities, but whilst this season offers many opportunities for leisure and fun, it also brings a notable increase in certain types of personal injuries.
Each year, personal injury claims see a seasonal spike during the summer months, and according to figures from the NHS, the number of people attending A&E for injuries such as fractures, burns and head trauma in particular tend to rise notably between June and August.
Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for individuals and businesses alike, and whether it’s a family enjoying a day at the park, children playing during the school holidays or friends gathering for a barbecue, summertime brings more people outdoors and into environments where accidents can – and do – happen.
But it’s not just individuals affected. Businesses, event organisers and local authorities also need to be aware of the heightened duty of care expected during the summer months, as public liability and workplace-related injuries can become more prevalent.
So, what kinds of injuries are most likely to increase during the UK summertime, and is there data to back it up? Let’s explore!
1. Road Traffic Accidents
The summer months bring with them a significant rise in road traffic due to holidays, festivals and day trips, all of which correlates with a higher incidence of road traffic accidents.
In fact,
according to provisional data from the Department for Transport (DfT) covering July 2023 through to June 2024, there were approximately 1,600 fatalities and 25,000 serious injuries on UK roads – something which mirrors a worrying trend seen in previous years as we continue to see contributing factors such as driver fatigue on long journeys and the increased presence of cyclists and pedestrians enjoying the weather.
2. Workplace Injuries in Hot Conditions
Summer heat can adversely affect workplace safety, especially in industries involving outdoor or manual labour, so much so that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that in 2023/24, there were 604,000 self-reported non-fatal workplace injuries, with approximately 30% of those taking place during the summer months.
In the summertime particularly, heat stress can impair concentration and physical performance which can lead to accidents, and so employers are encouraged to implement measures such as providing adequate hydration, rest breaks and appropriate protective equipment to mitigate risks.
3. Recreational Activities and Public Liability
The popularity of outdoor recreational activities during summer increases the potential for accidents in public spaces.
Events, parks and recreational facilities naturally see a higher footfall in warmer weather, and therefore raise the likelihood of incidents leading to personal injury claims.
Because of this, organisers and local authorities must ensure that safety protocols are in place to protect the public and minimise liability.
4. Children's Injuries in Parks and Outdoor Spaces
With schools on summer holidays, children visit parks and playgrounds more often than ever, and whilst these spaces are designed for fun, they can pose risks if not properly maintained.
Common accidents such as falls from faulty equipment, trips on uneven surfaces and injuries from poorly designed structures mean that councils have a duty of care to ensure that public play areas are safe, which, as noted by Slater and Gordon, means that “councils must be vigilant in inspecting and maintaining playgrounds to protect children from preventable harm - especially during the busy summer months when usage soars.”
5. Barbecue-Related Injuries and Fires
Even though barbecues are a staple of British summers, they do come with their own set of risks, and disposable barbecues in particular, have sparked considerable concern as they can contribute to severe burns from embers hidden in sand and an increased incidence of wildfires, prompting councils in high-risk hotspots such as beaches and forests, to enact bans during heatwaves.
6. Other Summertime Related Injuries
As well as these primary causes, other activities also lead to a spike in personal injury claims too.
For example, sporting injuries are more frequent in the warmer months as more adults and children take part in football matches, cycling, running and outdoor adventure activities. This can lead to sprains, dislocations and even concussions or complete bone breaks, some of which could lead to a personal injury claim.
Another seasonal spike comes from injuries in temporary or pop-up environments such as inflatable parks, summer funfairs or mobile climbing walls. This is because many of these attractions are regulated differently from fixed venues, making the risk of injury due to poor setup or lack of maintenance high, and an increase of claims when businesses haven’t followed correct health and safety procedures or failed to conduct proper risk assessments.
And finally, food poisoning claims often rise in summer as well, as outdoor catering at festivals, street food markets and BBQs may mean that food isn’t stored or cooked at safe temperatures.
How We Can Help...
Whilst summertime in the UK offers many opportunities for fun, games and outdoor activities, it also brings its own unique challenges that can lead to an increase in personal injuries, and though awareness and proactive measures are key to ensuring safety during this season, accidents can always happen.
At Speed Medical, we pride ourselves on delivering a comprehensive service that supports every stage of the claims process, and with a nationwide network of specialists, efficient case management and a commitment to quality, we provide the expertise and reliability that legal professionals and claimants can depend on.
By choosing us, you gain access to a trusted partner dedicated to helping you secure fair outcomes for all involved and all of our assessments are thorough, unbiased and aligned with legal standards.
What’s more, our services offer more than just medical evaluations; we provide a seamless, end-to-end process that ensures swift turnaround times without compromising on quality.
For more information, please visit www.speedmedical.com, contact our team via email at info@speedmedical.com or call us directly on 0330 094 8749.
