Driver convicted of Wounding with Intent after car mounted pavement causing Severe Injuries

Our client was walking along the pavement with other pedestrians.  A car mounted the pavement and hit our client.

 

Our client was taken to hospital via ambulance.  He suffered a fractured skull and bruising to the brain, a fractured clavicle leading to permanent disfigurement, along with torn leg muscles and ligaments.  His head injury caused severe headaches, vertigo, loss of appetite and nausea.  He has very little memory of the accident and was kept in hospital for a week.

 

Lawson-West began a personal injury claim.  The driver was at fault because:-

 

·         he failed to keep any proper look out;

·         he was driving too fast;

·         he mounted the footpath;

·         he failed to notice our client;

·         he failed to control the car either by way of stopping, swerving or otherwise to avoid the accident;

·         he injured our client by deliberately mounting the pavement;

·         failed to care for our client’s safety.

 

The driver failed to stop at the scene of the accident.  The accident was reported to the police.  Afterwards the car involved was found burnt out.  It was reported in the local newspaper that the driver appeared to be aiming the car at two other pedestrians who managed to get out of the way so the car hit our client, who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, instead.  After a police investigation, the driver was convicted in court of wounding with intent in respect of our client.

 

The driver was uninsured so the accident compensation claim was made against the Motor Insurance Bureau who process claims for injuries caused by uninsured drivers.

 

Lawson-West recovered compensation of £25,000 in respect of our client’s injuries and additional expenses for physiotherapy and compensation for loss of earnings as our client was off work for 5 months.

 

Arm Injury after being Hit by a Trailer

Our client was walking along a lane when he became aware of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction at about 25 – 30 mph.  The driver claimed to know the lane “extremely well” after the incident.

 

Our client stopped and stood to one side to allow the vehicle to pass.  The vehicle did not slow but continued at the same speed.  The vehicle’s trailer hit our client as it passed.  The vehicle did not stop.  Our client was knocked down and fell into a bank at the side of the road.

 

Lawson West started a personal injury claim against the driver of the vehicle and trailer who was at fault because he:-

 

·         drove too fast

·         failed to keep a look out for other road users and pedestrians

·         failed to notice our client

·         failed to stop, slow down, swerve or make any attempt to avoid the accident

·         failed to leave sufficient room for our client whilst passing

·         failed to stop at the scene of an accident.

 

A witness stopped to assist our client.

 

After the accident, our client was taken to hospital.  He had a severe laceration to his right forearm, which had cut through muscles and tendons.  Our client was referred to the fracture clinic.  As a result of his injuries he had to take seven weeks off work and then undertake light duties for a further 2 weeks before returning fully.

 

Our client was awarded general damages of £3500 in compensation for his injuries.  Lawson West also secured compensation for loss of earnings, travel to hospital appointments, painkillers and care given to the client whilst he was unable to fully use his right arm.  His injury took two years to fully heal, fortunately leaving no significant scarring.