Car passenger seriously injured in collision secures £2m settlement

The story

The young woman was a rear seat passenger in a vehicle travelling at over 60mph in a residential area when it swerved to avoid another vehicle and lost control. The car collided with a parked car, tree and a house.

She was thrown from her seat, causing injuries including a head injury and significant spinal fractures which needed complex surgery, as well as a dislocated left hip and elbow.

In the time since the collision, in 2019, the woman has continued to struggle with her mobility, has developed chronic pain and has been diagnosed with PTSD. She also lives with the impact of brain injury, experiencing ongoing cognitive issues and fatigue. Her ongoing health concerns mean she has had to give up her job, and has been unable to find suitable alternative employment.

The woman has also gone on to have a child, which required specialist medical support due to her ongoing spinal problems.

Making a claim with Slater and Gordon

To help rebuild her life after the traumatic collision, the woman turned to serious injury specialists at Slater and Gordon. Senior associate Helen Gierc acted on her behalf.

Through the law firm’s commitment to enabling clients to access rehabilitation, Helen and her team put in place an extensive multi-disciplinary team around the client, overseen by a case manager, to ensure she could access bespoke physical and psychological support.

The woman also had a private midwife and a Doula to ensure she had the support she needed during her pregnancy and childbirth.

At a joint settlement meeting, a settlement of £2million was secured by Helen and her team, to ensure the woman’s needs can be taken care of into the future.

“This collision had an absolutely devastating impact on our client’s life, and she has been forced to give up the job she loves and alter her life in so many ways as a result of what happened,” says Helen.

“Both physically and psychologically, the impact has been severe, and the problems with her mobility following the spinal injuries will be lifelong. We were committed to helping her access the bespoke care and rehabilitation she, as we know the transformational effect it can have in rebuilding a person’s life.

“Our client was able to benefit from highly specialist support during her pregnancy and childbirth, through the involvement of a private midwife and Doula, which was very significant. We are very pleased to have been able to secure the financial package to enable this, and to ensure her needs are taken care of into the future.”

In recognition of the support, the client said: “I cannot thank Helen enough, she went above and beyond to make sure that no corner was left unturned. Nothing was too much to ask and she made what was a very stressful time feel a lot easier to navigate.

“I genuinely believe I would not be in the position I am if Helen had not have been my solicitor, she has enabled me to feel safe and secure in the birth of my child, and also in the future which cannot be entirely predicted.”

Speak to Slater and Gordon

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