Vital Funds Secured For Man Who Suffered Spinal Injuries In Car Crash

A Northumberland man who was required to wear a back brace for more than a month after suffering spinal injuries in a car crash says he hopes his case will highlight the serious impact driving without due care can have on victims after lawyers secured him a settlement that will be used to fund his recovery and rehabilitation.

Trevor McFall, 54, from Seahouses, Northumberland suffer a compression fracture of a vertebrae in his lower back when he was involved in a head-on collision on the A1068 between Hispburn and Warkworth in January 2013.

He was unable to avoid the collision when an oncoming car crossed onto his side of the road. The other driver involved was convicted of driving without due care and attention and received six penalty points for the offence.

Trevor, a welder, instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him secure vital funds that would enable him to access the help and support he required to continue his rehabilitation after the insurers of the other driver admitted liability for the incident.

Immediately after the accident Trevor was taken to Wansbeck Hospital where his fractured vertebrae was diagnosed. He spent five days in the hospital and fitted with a back brace before being discharged.

Trevor, a father of 2, was unable to return to work for three months after the crash and was forced to rely heavily on his friends and family for help with day-to-day tasks. As well as his physical injuries he also suffered difficulty sleeping due to flashbacks of the incident.

After his lengthy rehabilitation process, he eventually returned to work as a welder at Alnmaritec Ltd on light duties, but he continued to struggle with back pain associated with his injuries. He has since been made redundant and informed that the back pain he suffers may be permanent.

Expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have since secured him a five-figure settlement that will ensure he can access the help and support he requires as he continues his road to recovery, as well as the additional physiotherapy he requires to treat his on-going problems.

Darren Wilson, a serious injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell, who represented Trevor, said: 

Expert Opinion

“It is very important to recognise the serious impact driving without due care and attention can have on other road users caught up in accidents, such as Trevor.

“In this case, Trevor suffered serious back injuries and faced an extensive period of rehabilitation and physiotherapy in order to return to work. He continues to suffer back pain and is understandably extremely concerned about how this will develop in the future.

“We are determined to help Trevor access the physiotherapy and support he needs to continue his road to recovery and are delighted to have secured a settlement to enable to access the best possible treatment he can to allow him to keep making progress.” Darren Wilson - Team Leader & Senior Associate

Trevor, who has now returned to work in a part-time position, said: “I still suffer with intermittent back pain as a result of the injuries I suffered in 2013 and this means I have been forced to take a job that only requires light duties.

“A number of day-to-day tasks I used to take for granted can trigger my back pain and I have been forced to cut back on a number of my hobbies as they can cause me pain.

“I’m glad I have now received a settlement for the injuries I suffered and the loss of earnings they led to. While nothing can change what has happened to me in the last two years, I hope my case helps to highlight the very serious consequences careless driving can have on innocent road users.”

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury as a result of an accident that wasn't your fault, our serious injury solicitors could help you to claim compensation. Read our Spinal Injury Compensation page for more information.