Figures from the government’s Compensation Recovery Unit show that there were 71,849 personal injury claims registered as a result of road-traffic accidents in the third quarter of this year. This was down from 72,534 in Q2 and 74,211 in Q1.

Matthew Maxwell Scott, executive director of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations, said the Q3 figures were 9% lower than the same period the pervious year and that he saw no reason for the trend not to continue.

He added: “At face value, fewer claims could mean fewer accidents, but equally, it could mean that injured people are not claiming because it’s too difficult, too time consuming, and the compensation for injuries is derisory.

“As the government puts the finishing touches to the Motor Insurance Taskforce report, these latest figures confirms that the case for further personal injury reform is wafer thin, especially with motor premiums continuing to fall. These number should give extra impetus to the insurers to reduce bills even further, giving hard-pressed consumers a much-needed break.”