Irwin Mitchell Supports Road Safety Awareness Week

Serious injury experts at a leading law firm have joined forces with a road safety charity to raise awareness of the number of young people killed or seriously injured in road traffic crashes each year.

The solicitors at Irwin Mitchell are supporting BRAKE’s Road Safety Awareness Week (21- 27 November), which this year has the theme ‘Too Young To Die’.

The charity is highlighting the fact that road traffic crashes are the biggest cause of death for young people aged between 15 and 24.

In 2010, 21 per cent of all deaths in this age group were as a result of incidents on the road. When you exclude medical deaths (those resulting from disease) from this category, the figure rises to 38 per cent.

Keith Cundall, a serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell in Manchester, said: “Road traffic crashes are devastating at any age, and the figures show young people are particularly vulnerable.

“Having represented a number of young people aged between 15 and 24, I have seen the heartbreaking impact road traffic crashes have on people whose lives are only just beginning.

“This Road Safety Week is a great chance for young people, parents and teachers to stop and think more carefully about what might help to keep them safe on the roads.”

A spokesman for BRAKE said: “We are delighted that Irwin Mitchell LLP is taking part in Road Safety Week, helping to get the message across that we can all play a part in making roads safer.

“Road Safety Week raises awareness about the terrible impact of road crashes, and the part we can all play in making our roads safer for everyone. Having the support of organisations such as Irwin Mitchell is crucial in securing the success of the week, and cascading key road safety messages across the UK.”

Case study: Nikita Hall

An aspiring drama teacher who was forced to give up studying after she sustained serious injuries to her neck, spine and pelvis in a severe car accident has thanked injury specialists at law firm Irwin Mitchell for securing extensive rehabilitation to get her life back on track.

Nikita Hall, 24, from Manchester, was driving her car with two passengers on board when she was struck by a lorry in a side-on collision. She was taken to hospital by paramedics, where doctors treated her for the pain in her neck, spine, lower back, and hip.

Miss Hall’s injuries were so severe that the once active, fun-loving drama enthusiast is unable to do anything strenuous, and struggles with even the most basic day-to-day tasks.

In a bid to get her life back on track she turned to serious injury experts at Irwin Mitchell who helped secure funding for surgery and a significant financial settlement to help pay for specialist physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy ,

Irwin Mitchell won the title for “Rehabilitation Initiative of the Year – Claimant Solicitor” for the third year running at the Rehabilitation First Awards, in recognition of its role in helping clients overcome injuries.

Keith Cundall, a serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Nikita’s injuries caused her a great deal of trauma and distress long after the collision.

“Psychologically, she was unable to get back into the driving seat of a car for many weeks, and her injuries were so extensive that she was also unable to continue with the physically demanding PGCE course in Drama she was part way through when the accident occurred.

“Having to suspend her studies has caused her additional distress on top of her physical injuries.

“Happily we were able to obtain funding from the other party’s insurers, which has proved invaluable for Nikita who has started to make remarkable progress and has benefited from the specialist physiotherapy we have secured.

“The work we do helps victims such as Nikita and their families rebuild their lives from the devastation of a serious injury and, in many cases, funds a lifetime of future care, rehabilitation and a better quality of life.”

Nikita Hall said: “The collision was awful and I still think about it all the time even now. The car was written off and I didn’t feel confident driving afterwards for weeks. My physical injuries were severe and I know it will be a long road to recovery. Having to postpone my Drama course made feel so upset and I wondered if I would be able to do this sort of study again.

“Thankfully now I have been able to access the proper rehabilitation programme I am getting my life back on track and hopefully will be starting my PGCE again soon.”

If you or a loved one has been involved in a road traffic accident, our personal injury claims team could help to get the compensation, rehabilitation and support you deserve. Visit our Road Traffic Accident Compensation page for more information.