By KLTV Newsdesk –

Face-to-face help offered to families of those killed or seriously injured

More support services are now available to victims of serious road crashes in West Yorkshire, thanks to the creation of a new role – the Independent Road Victim Advocate (IRVA).

The IRVA will provide face-to-face assistance following referrals from Police Family Liaison Officers (FLOs), who are the first point of contact for road victims.

The role aims to ensure that families of people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads, as well as those who have suffered serious injuries themselves, can access a range of crucial services, including:

• Emotional support

• Practical help

• Guidance on legal processes, such as criminal prosecutions or court cases

• Assistance seeking and using legal representation

• Family support, including help for children and the elderly

• Injury rehabilitation

First-hand experience of the new support

Jan Vekaria, from Shipley, received support after losing her husband, Parv, in a car crash caused by a dangerous driver.

Jan said: “It made a massive difference, I couldn’t have got through this without Brake.

“I remember the first few visits, and I probably just cried a lot. I just needed someone there who understood and was really sympathetic.

“My support worker was so good at helping me by explaining what was going to happen. She helped me so much, and I’ve been able to continue to speak to her.”

Addressing the complex aftermath of a crash

Victims of road crashes often face numerous complex and distressing procedures, such as identifying a loved one’s body, attending criminal or inquest hearings, retrieving property, understanding how a collision occurred, and providing a Victim Impact Statement in court.

The IRVA role, managed by the road safety charity Brake and funded by the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Partnership, will help victims navigate these challenges.

Commitment to zero road deaths and injuries

Alison Lowe, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board, said: “I know first-hand what it’s like to lose a loved one in these circumstances.

“The pain and devastation is immeasurable, and we must do all we can to support people affected by these tragedies.

“I am pleased we have been able to secure the new role, which will make a real difference in our communities as we work together to reduce road death and serious injuries to zero.”

Supporting families in their darkest times

Ross Moorlock, CEO at Brake, said: “We are so grateful to Jan for sharing her experience and helping people understand how the support she received from Brake has helped her.

“We know that the right support at the right time can change the course of someone’s life. For Jan, being able to access specialist, trauma-informed support delivered by Brake has made such a difference.

“We know that there are many other families out there who need our help after a road death or serious injury, and we are here to support them in their darkest and most difficult times.

“We are proud to be partnering with the West Yorkshire Vision Zero team, and we look forward to working with the team to support families in need.

“Their support for the plight of road victims is very evident, and we are thankful that they have chosen Brake to provide support for families in West Yorkshire, through a local caseworker.”

For more information about the support options available, visit https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/vz-useful-links.