Serious Injury Lawyers Secure Six-Figure Settlement To Fund Tests To See Whether Dad Will Walk Again

A cyclist who was left wheelchair reliant after being knocked eight feet through the air by a hit-and-run motorist has received a six-figure settlement to purchase equipment and regain some independence.

Graham Andrews, from East Preston in West Sussex, was left fighting for his life after suffering life changing injuries following the collision on 16 March 2008 as he was cycling along Broad Mark Lane, Rustington.

The dad-of-three was thrown on to the grass verge and left for dead, where he was found several hours later by two passersby who contacted the emergency services. Graham was rendered paraplegic and has been in a wheelchair since the collision over six years ago.

The 45-year-old instructed a local firm who were unsuccessful in securing him compensation. He then instructed specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and is speaking out for the first time after the firm secured him an undisclosed six-figure settlement from the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB) which compensates victims of uninsured or untraced drivers. This will give Graham financial security for the future and will fund specialist equipment such as a hand cycle - a bike powered by the arms rather than the legs - to help with his rehabilitation.

The MIB initially refused to take on Graham’s case citing there was no evidence that he was struck by an untraced vehicle and his lawyers at the time advised Graham that they were no longer prepared to act for him. Graham contacted Irwin Mitchell in 2009 to take over conduct of his claim and the firm successfully lodged an appeal on his behalf in January 2012 which paved the way for vital interim payments from the MIB to fund necessary assistance and rehabilitation and loss of earnings as the father-of-three was forced to give up his engineering job due to his injuries.

Irwin Mitchell has now secured a final settlement from the MIB for Graham which will allow him to purchase further equipment and provides him with some security for the future. The MIB had previously funded a specialist inpatient treatment program at the Wellington Hospital. This treatment program is designed by a Spinal Rehabilitation Specialist. The program gave Graham some optimism for future improvements in his condition.

Former engineer, Graham, said: “My life has been turned upside down by the accident; I have spent years trying to come to terms with my injuries and also getting my head around the fact I may never walk again. I am hoping with further treatment and rehabilitation that I may be able to progress further, but I have been able to adapt to living life in a wheelchair.

“I am pleased that the legal case has now come to a conclusion and my team at Irwin Mitchell have worked tirelessly to secure a settlement which will be a lifeline to me and I am still fiercely determined to work on my progress.

“Before the accident I did a lot of cycling, I used to cycle everywhere, to work or with my children; this is one of the simple things that I really miss. Now I have received a settlement I am hoping to get a hand cycle for exercising, which I am really looking forward to. I have also been able to continue one of my favourite hobbies, fishing, which I really enjoy.

“Despite being in a wheelchair, I have learnt that not every day need be a challenge. You do learn to adapt over time and with the help and support of family and friends you can continue to enjoy life to the max. None of this would have been possible without the help and professionalism of my legal team so to them, I am eternally grateful.”

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a cycling accident, you may be able to claim compensation. See our Road Traffic Accident Claims page for more information.