Rear End Shunt led to Whiplash and a Write-off

Our client was driving.  Needing to make a right turn, she checked her mirror and saw no other vehicles behind her, indicated and stopped to wait until she could make the turn.  As she was waiting a car collided into her from behind, shunting our client’s car the length of two shop fronts.

 

Lawson-West began a personal injury claim.  The driver who caused the rear end shunt, was at fault because:

 

·         she failed to keep a proper look out

·         she drove too fast

·         she failed to notice our client’s car

·         she failed to stop or swerve to avoid the accident

 

The accident was witnessed by a passenger in our client’s car.

 

Our client sustained whiplash causing problems with her shoulder.  Her GP recommended physiotherapy.  Our client had to take a week off work.  Although she received basic pay for this week, she would have expected to receive an overtime payment so lost this payment as she was unable to work.  She also suffered flashbacks which caused disturbed sleep and tiredness and made her reluctant to drive near to where the accident took place.

 

The driver of the car who had caused the accident was reluctant to involve the insurers as she was not named on the insurance policy.  However, our client was awarded £2000 in general damages for her whiplash and shoulder injury. 

 

Lawson-West recovered the overtime payment that our client would have normally received and recovered car hire charges.  Our client’s car was written off so she had to hire a car whilst purchasing a replacement car.