Inquest: what to expect (trigger warning- RTA)

[HungryAyes]

We’ve recently lost a very close family member due to a road traffic accident.

A postmortem has been carried out and we’ve been told there will be an inquest.

Can anyone tell me what to expect at an inquest, please?

If you’ve had a bereavement involving an inquest, how long after the death did it take place?

Thank you.

When my sibling died suddenly, they were in their own home and there was no apparent 'cause of death' so they had to do more tests after the PM (toxicology, etc) to determine why they died.
That, presumably delayed the inquest longer than it would have been had the cause of death been apparent. So, for us, it was weeks, turning into months, but that might not be typical when it is clear.

In terms of what happened - the coroner arranged to meet us in the foyer, and took us into his office and explained what is going to be said. They told us in advance what the findings were. They told us they phrase things carefully in caught as the press can report on anything said in the court. They talked us through everything. From what I remember, it was very short, in court, just matter of factly reading out the findings.

I am sorry for your loss, and that it has been in such traumatic and unexpected circumstances.

Thank you, @UsingChangeofName, that’s very helpful.

Very sorry for the loss of your sibling. It’s difficult enough losing someone, without the added complications of inquests and investigations, important as they are.

It might depend if anyone else will be charged as a result of the RTA, in which case that prosecution could take the place of an inquest. If not, then could be one year or more (I gather it varies from region to region, depending on their backlog. But the Coroner's Office will provide an interim death certificate for probate etc.

For us (not RTA) it was over a year and various professionals gave evidence to determine the cause.

It wasn’t nice but it was a relief to have answers.

I’m sorry for your loss and that you are going through this.

If there was a 3rd party involved in the crash and pending charges it would not be unusual for the Inquest to be opened and then suspended. Some of the information would be used in the criminal case, some may not be relevant so the police /CPS dont want it published.
The criminal case would then determine the timeline

Sorry for your loss.

Thanks all.

There was a third party involved (injured but not badly, thank goodness) but I can’t see that there will be a question of any sort of criminal charge (bar the police investigation turning up something completely unexpected).

My DM was killed in an RTA several years ago. I seem to remember the inquest was opened and then suspended, and it went to crown court for prosecution twelve months later of the driver to blame who was her partner. Another younger woman was also killed in the accident. He got a suspended sentence and a fine.
Lots of witnesses and first responders gave evidence. I didn't attend.
Sorry for your loss. Worst time of my life.

I am sorry for your loss.

My DH died in October following an RTA the preceding August. The inquest was at the end of the following January. Five 1/2 months after the Accident and three months after his death.

The driver spoke at the inquest describing the accident and trying to blame my DH. Despite much evidence to the contrary the Coroner said the only Verdict open to her was Accidental Death.

The CPS subsequently declined to prosecute as no witnesses came forward, despite there being clear evidence (yellow coat) that someone else had been at the scene apart from the Driver.

The Police suggested I could take out a private prosecution against the driver, but I was too distraught and bereaved to face that prospect. The solicitor I saw talked large compensation figures but that meant nothing when faced with the devastation tracking through our lives.

Five months later I sat in front of the same Coroner hearing her bring a verdict of Accidental Death following the loss of my DF after he fell down the stairs and fractured his skull.

Both were almost 20 years ago now, the most horrendous part of my life.

Be prepared to read and see graphic evidence. My mum's husband died in a RTA as did one other. Photos of the cars, including the inside, reconstruction and graphic descriptions of his injuries were included. It disturbed us all so much I got rid of my smaller car for a bulkier one. Took 6 months from point of accident to inquest.

I am so, so sorry. That sounds horrendous.

@Shipwrecks, I’m so sorry. Two devastating losses for you.

I’m grateful that my family member seems to have died immediately. I can’t imagine how hard it was for you seeing your husband through his last months.

The police usually give you a FLO (family liaison officer) for Fatal RTCs. They will be able to talk you through all the processes and give you advice. Plus the coroners officer would be able to talk through everything so you know what to expect.
It's a more informal court compared to a criminal court. The main difference is that you as a family member can ask witnesses questions. The big thing with coroners court is that they aren't there ti apportion blame (that's for police investigation and criminal court). It's to ascertain the cause of death. There may be things you don't want to see in the file but tell the FLO and you can leave the court at pertinent times so you're not exposed to that information.
Out of courtesy the investigating officer should meet you before the coroners court and go through as much as they can with you so you know what to expect.
I'm so very sorry for your loss.

That’s my fear.

I had to identify the body straight after the crash. The morgue staff made it as easy as possible (body covered as much as they could so that I only had to see part of their face) but I’ve been having terrible nightmares about it.

Sorry for your loss- it must have been so difficult for you and seeing your mum go through that.

I attended one as an 18 year old, I witnessed a child knocked down and killed and was first on scene so I had to give evidence. I think the court case took place around six months after the accident and it was a difficult day. I remember the car driver being distraught, the accident had been unavoidable as the child was playing Chicken along with an older sibling and the sibling's friends and had run out from between parked cars straight into the car which was travelling at around 28mph. As someone said upthread there was a lot of graphic detail which can be quite shocking.

Be aware that the press may attend. The coroner will ask if you have any questions so have a think in advance.

I was wondering how your case was going? My parent died recently in similar circumstances. I don’t want to go into details as the police are investigating. We have been told it could take a year to go to Coroners Court. Did you get any more information on time scales etc?

@Mepop sorry for your loss. We're still waiting for an inquest for a single vehicle RTA from May, we've been told to expect next financial year so a year after the accident.

Hi,

My Dad was killed in a RTA in August 23 and we have the inquest in Feb so 6m after. I'm expecting a verdict of accidental death. My FLO has said that it will be a read only case and that we can apply for a copy of the file once the inquest is done. Has anyone had a copy of the file before, would you advise it?

One of the road charities who support the bereaved should be able to talk you through the inquest process. Brake or Roadpeace. They both have a helpline.

This seems a lot quicker than the timescale I was told for my father. But the police are still investigating his case. They have said it will be many months more of investigation. Was there a police investigation in your father’s case?

Hi

There was an investigation but there was no criminal charges bought to the other driver. The inquest was horrible and something I wouldn't want to go through again. The
Case file was given to me so I could read along with the coroner and it contained photos of my dad's car which I hadn't seen before and made me realise he wouldn't have had a chance with the state of the car. Reading through the statements from other drivers of what happened there were things that I didn't know which has bought me some comfort.

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long as it's horrible having it hanging over you. Our final cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries caused by RTA.

@HungryAyes is there any news on your inquest and timescales?

i am astounded how long it takes. Got an inquest date about a year and a half after the death but been told it will likely be delayed by other investigations. Police investigation is taking ages, over a year then if it goes to court it will be even longer and that al, has to finish before the inquest can happen. It is looking like it will be several years after the death that we get any answers.

You may want to leave the court during the medical evidence if it is graphic. If you ask for this, someone will makes sure you are escorted out

I'm so sorry for your loss, @HungryAyes, and that you have been so traumatised by identifying your relative.

I hope the inquest is soon and that it helps to bring closure.

I am so sorry you're going through this, it's awful to lose someone that way.

I had a sibling die suddenly, I hasten to add it was not an RTA, so things could be a little different, but this is what happened when I went through it. I was the next of kin.

• About 7 months after he died I was told we had to go to inquest and was asked to provide a statement. The statement was guided by someone at the coroner's office with them asking me relevant open ended questions.

• The date of the inquest was about 14 months after he died and the date came suddenly. I got a phone call on the Monday asking if I was free that Friday.

• An inquest is an open court meaning anyone can attend, and we had two trainee doctors there observing to learn about the process.

• The coroner came in and explained who was going to do what, so I knew exactly how the session was going to play out.

• I read my statement out in court, and the coroner read some statements by witnesses/other relevant people. The doctor who did the post mortem and follow up investigations was then called up.

• The doctor was asked questions by the coroner but spoke directly to me the whole time. I heard some upsetting information pertaining to my sibling's body, how he was found and what happened. The doctor was incredibly respectful.

• After this the cause of death was determined.

In all honesty, it is upsetting. I found though, that the day in court was very calm, very respectful and in a way as gentle as it could have been.

I wish you the best, and hope you had the sort of treatment that I did.