Specialist Lawyers Helping Manchester Accident Victim With Support And Rehabilitation

The victim of a hit-and-run car crash, who was left for dead in the middle of the road with brain injuries and severe fractures to his leg and neck, has called for greater awareness of speeding and drink-driving as he looks to get his life back-on-track with specialist rehabilitation.

David Robinson was seriously injured while crossing the road in December 2012 when aspiring lawyer and former Miss Bolton, Kristina Long, hit him on a pedestrian crossing in Chapel Street, Salford, before driving off. She was arrested two hours later and Police believe she was around twice the legal driving limit at the time of the incident in which she was also speeding.

Ms Long, 26, had been drinking at her work Christmas party and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous driving causing serious injury and failing to stop at Manchester Crown Court last month where she was sentenced to 12 months at Styal Prison.

Salford resident David, who admits he is “lucky to be alive”, is now working with specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell who are seeking to secure funds to help support his rehabilitation and recovery.

As well as a brain injury, museum worker David, 53, also suffered significant fractures to his left leg, neck fractures and a fractured pelvis. He has already undergone several operations and had external frames fitted to help with his recovery and faces a long rehabilitation battle.

Matt Brown, a partner and specialist serious injury lawyer representing David, said:

Expert Opinion

This was a horrific accident that could have been avoided had the defendant driver thought about the possible consequences of her actions. Drink driving is extremely dangerous and this case highlights the impact it has on the innocent victims that are left seriously injured.

“Also in this case the defendant failed to take responsibility for her actions and cruelly pleaded not guilty for a long period of time before changing her plea very late in the day. This dragged the criminal proceedings out far longer than necessary having a further impact on David and his family as they were unable to fully concentrate on his recovery.

“We are now working with the driver’s insurers to secure the necessary funds to help David with his rehabilitation so that he can begin to get his life back on track." Matt Brown - Partner

David, a Museum Technician at Salford Museum, said: "I was just walking home across Chapel Street from my own work Christmas party. I don’t remember anything about the accident but I’m obviously lucky to be alive really."

He was thrown 80ft forward during the crash and was in hospital for around a month, had to wear a neck brace for longer and is still affected by the injuries he suffered in the collision.

He added: "I used to love swimming, walking my dog and running before the crash but the past year has just been horrendous. My injuries meant I was in hospital for a long time and I’m still not able to return to my hobbies.

"I also had to move back in with my parents so that they could help me with basic everyday tasks. I’m now working with my lawyers to get specialist support to help me recover further.

"I’m relieved justice has been done in the criminal case and hope that by speaking out about my injuries, it will highlight to others how serious drink driving can be. Drivers need to take responsibility for their actions and consider the impact that their decision to drink drive can have on other people."

During the criminal trial last month the Court heard that Ms Long, a trainee solicitor at Bolton firm Keoghs, had spent the evening drinking at her work Christmas party at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton before driving three of her colleagues into Manchester city centre.

After dropping two colleagues off in Manchester, the third colleague started to vomit and wanted to return home which Ms Long claimed in Court had distracted her. She then hit David before driving off.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Serious Injury Claims.